Reported by Alan and Jenny Shipp
In a gripping final, Sunbury Macedon Ranges Veterans Over 60s cricketers won the Victoria wide cricket carnival run by Veterans Cricket Victoria on Thursday 20 March. Each year around 30 teams compete in this prestigious event.
The loss of three main bowlers through injury put the team under pressure in the qualifying matches. In a tight pool with three teams all having won two matches, Ranges snuck into the final on percentage.
The final was a tense rain-interrupted match against a strong Geelong side; Ranges batted first reaching 8/134 after a reduced 28 overs. The famed Duckworth-Lewis Method used in rain affected ODI matches gave Geelong a target of 137, only two additional runs.
Ranges kept their composure with some tight bowling and good field placing, all backed up by excellent fielding. But Geelong’s total crept up steadily. At 4/105, Geelong was on target to win, but a couple of wickets and a smart piece of fielding that produced a run out kept Ranges in the game.
With eight balls remaining, Geelong still had the upper hand needing just five runs with three wickets remaining. A wicket in the second last over followed by Morrie Boccabella bowling two batters with successive balls in the last over left the opposition stunned, all out for 132.
Veteran batsmen are limited to 30 balls in this competition and solid batting from Alan Shipp (34 ret), Greg Wilkinson (22), Steve Gray (20no) and Michael Smitheram (19no) gave the team a defendable score in difficult circumstances.
Bowlers Morrie Boccabella 4/11 (4.3 overs), Adrian Thomson 2/30 (5 overs) and Manny Tumino 2/20 (3 overs) were the wicket takers.
Morrie Boccabella was awarded Man of the Match
Captain Archie Dudderidge, an Australian Veteran’s rep, was overjoyed with the victory and warmly congratulated players and supporters stating that the win capped off a remarkable season.
The whole team’s efforts throughout the season rather than only individual performances were the reason for success. The tears of joy, cheers and smiles on the players and supporters’ faces when the last two wickets fell was something that will stay with everyone forever.
Secretary Bill Morison was thrilled with the result. The team was undefeated in the home and away season and now has claimed this championship for the first time in a cliff hanger.
President Barry Borlase said the club was formed in 2009 with just one team in the Veterans Cricket Victoria competition of only eight teams. The sport has grown on a national level with three age groups: 50s, 60s and 70s.
There are now more than 60 veterans clubs in Victoria with over 1800 players. Sunbury Macedon Ranges Veterans Cricket Club have more than 80 members with two 50s teams, a 60s team and a 70s team. The club is pleased with its achievements and extremely proud to have these players represent the region.
The club is always keen to welcome new players and members. Anyone interested in joining the club can contract Secretary Bill Morison on 0458 040 800.
