Seniors Cricket Australia National Championships - Hobart - Game 1

Monday 16 November and we piled into the cars to go to Gunn Oval at Pontville, 28 kilometres north of Hobart, where the Victoria Metro team was to play Tasmania. The weather was fine and sunny and the ground was situated in a picturesque setting.

Gunn Oval is one of three ovals at the Pontville Recreation Grounds. In the same complex Western Australia was playing Queensland at Ferguson Park while in Division 3,Victoria played South Australia. The Brighton Agricultural Show is held at the Pontville Recreation Grounds on the first weekend in November each year.

After inspecting the pitch which looked a road it was time for the warm-up before the game.

Members of the Division 1 Victoria Metro team were Les Quarrell (captain), Robin Court, Greg Johnson, Ron Kasputtis, Neil King, Ian Longmuir, Ian Marks, John Ryan, Trevor Selby, Gary Semple, Wayne Stokes and Graham Yallop. Unfortunately Neil King injured his leg during the match and was unable to take part in the other matches, though he continued to supervise the warm-up sessions before the games.

Graham Yallop having a hit before the game

Victoria batted first and made 5 for 191 in their 45 overs. Unfortunately for Victoria, Tasmania passed this score in the final over.

A disappointing start to the carnival for Victoria Metro. In the other Division 1 games Queensland defeated Western Australia, Victoria Country defeated ACT while South Australia defeated New South Wales.