Recruit leads Goannas to victory

OVER 70s

AFTER the trek down the highway to the Moorabbin CC ground in East Bentleigh, the Gippsland Goannas Over-70 cricket team had to wait for an under-age game to be completed, before starting their match against the Australian Cricket Society Over-70 team.

The Goannas fielded first, with Gordon Cowling and Kelvin Bond bowling the first 10 overs into the cool SE breeze.

The ground was in superb condition, the wicket hard and the weather fine as the ACS batsmen steadily increased the score. Bond struck first, having ACS Captain Ian B. Gibson well caught by Dick Noble at mid wicket from his first ball! 

Cowling then had Dave Breheny plumb lbw in his fifth over, and the score was 2/41 after 10 overs.

Ron Lovel and Andrew Smith bowled the next ten overs down wind and were not able to break through as the ACS batsmen took the score to 2/82 at the drinks break.

Batsmen three, four, five and six all retired after about 30 balls, one of them for 37, which included eight fours! Any ball hit through the field easily made the boundary as the surface was very quick.

Lovel and Bond bowled the next five overs into the breeze, finishing with 0/22 from eight overs and 1/45 from seven, respectively. They were relieved by Smith and Barrie Nunn as the score mounted to 2/133 after 30 overs.

The final overs were to be bowled downwind, with Dick Noble and Nunn starting off. Goannas wicketkeeper, Ian A. Gibson, completed a smart stumping in Noble’s first over, Cowling came back on for over #36, and the ACS #9 batsman proceeded to run out two of his team mates in the next three overs. The score was 158 when former Collingwood footballer Graeme Anderson, who had retired earlier, returned to the crease.  He was able to keep the score moving as they put on 28 in the last three overs.  Captain Kevin Lanigan bowled the 39th over, for seven runs, Cowling finished with 1/33 from his eight overs, Smith 0/47 from eight, Nunn 0/17 from four and Noble 1/15 from his four overs.

Goannas recruit, Anton DeVent from Moe, was lively in the field, providing a good throw to the ‘keeper for the first run out. Smith fielded well to get the ball to Gibson for the final wicket. The ACS innings concluded at 5/192 from their 40 overs.

After the lunch break the Goannas started their innings, with Goannas recruit, Warragul’s Jeff (Spider) Phillips and second gamer Warren Dummett opening the innings.

Neil Smith, who is still quite quick, and super veteran Bob Hopkins opened the bowling, downwind, with Smith bowling Dummett for 15 in the seventh over. The Goannas were 1/49 at the 10 over change of ends and Devent had joined Phillips. These two worked well together and Phillips retired for 28 when the score was 73 after 13 overs. Wayne Tatterson had joined Devent and the score continued to climb. When Tatterson was caught behind for six the score was 2/100, and Gibson came to the crease. At the 20 over drinks break the Goannas had reached 2/111, which was well ahead of the ACS score at the same time.

Devent retired soon after for a brilliant 42 and the captain strode to the crease.
Lanigan and Gibson added another 20 runs, but KL was caught from the bowling of Hopkins for 12. Noble joined Gibson, who was bowled by spinner Martin for eight and the score was 5/136 in the 28th over.

Cowling joined Noble and they put on 22 runs, mostly ‘extras’, when Noble (6) walked after edging a catch behind, which the umpire may not have given out (no hearing aids!). Nunn had a quick innings and Andrew Smith joined Cowling, with 34 runs required, but eight overs left. This pair batted well together, running singles, blocking the good balls and hitting an occasional boundary.

They were able to pass the ACS score in the 39th over, Cowling was 36 and Smith eight at the end of the innings.

The Goannas Over-50 team was due to play the East Ringwood team today, but the opposition were unable to bring a team to Gippsland. 

Unfortunately the 50’s have only played one game this season, and, as the next game is due when several players are away for the Over-55 National games in Christchurch, that too will need to be postponed.

The National Over-60’s Championships are in Perth this week, and the 70’s will be in Bunbury the following week.

Next scheduled Goannas games are: >50’s away to Ballarat on November 26, >60’s home to Yarra Valley on November 26 and >70’s home to Mornington/Canterbury on December 5.