Sunshine Coast - National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championship

The 8th National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championships were held on the Sunshine Coast from 7-13 September 2013. Victoria sent six teams to participate in the competition - four over 60s teams (Vic 1, Vic Bushies, Vic Stormers and Vic Lightening) and two over 70s teams (Vic 070A and Vic 070B). Thirty-two teams took part in the carnival.There were four divisions with the first two Victorian teams playing in Division 1 together with Qld Maroons, ACT, SA, Tassie Tigers, NSW Waratahs and WA.

On 7 September we therefore headed to Maroochydore flying Jet Star from Melbourne arriving mid afternoon and went to check out our accommodation at the Nautilus Apartments, River Esplanade, Mooloolaba - http://www.nautilusmooloolaba.com/

After a walk to generally explore the area including locating a supermarket to purchase breakfast items we set off to find the Mooloolaba Bowls Club - http://mooloolababowlsclub.com.au/- to collect cricket shirts, jumper, cap and program. This was followed by the meet and greet for those participating in the carnival plus the official opening. 

 

Sunday September 8: The first match the Vic Bushies played was at the grounds of the Maroochydore Cricket Club - an incredible complex consisting of four grounds, all with turf wickets, with the club house in the middle.

The match was played on the Kev Hackney Oval.

Before the game the all important team photograph was taken.

Vic Bushies 2013 National Over 60s Cricket Championship

In this match Vic Bushies defeated the Tassie Tigers in a close game. In the evening we all met up for the team dinner at Bellissimo restaurant.

Monday 9 September: We travelled to Coloundra to play a match against Queensland at the Caloundra Cricket Club

Geoff Dymock was one of the bowlers for Queensland (Vic 1 had Graham Yallop in their team). Vic Bushies lost the toss and batting first did not make enough runs in this game.

One of the spectators was a sea eagle viewing the game from a light pole.

Wednesday 11 September: After a rest day the Vic Bushies returned to Maroochydore to play against the ACT on the John Blanck Oval.

Victoria won the match in a close game - winning in the final over.

Celebrations after the game

At the end of the round robin three teams in Pool B, Vic Bushies, Queensland Maroons and Tassie Tigers had all won two out of three games.

Thursday 12 September: The play-off for fifth and sixth spot for Division 1 was held at Nambour where the cricket ground is in the middle of the Nambour Showgrounds.

Although the ground had an attractive back drop of mountains and forests it was not the same standard as the grounds at Maroochydore and Caloundra.

Vic Bushies defeated Western Australia in this game finishing the carnival as one of four teams in Division 1winning three out of four games - the others being the eventual winners Queensland Matoons (the team that defeated Vic Bushies), NSW the runners up and Vic 1. Needless to say the players were pleased with their achievement.

Later that evening we travelled back to Coloundra to attend the end of carnival dinner at the Caloundra Events Centre where Ian Healy was the guest speaker. Approximately 600 players and partners attended this event.

All in all it was a great carnival. The weather was supurb. The facilities were generally good but the grounds and hospitality at Maroochydore Cricket Club were a highlight. As the carnival progressed the camaraderie between the players grew and the players also had good support from the WAGS. 

The 9th National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championships will be held in November 2014 in Melbourne.