Over 70s National Championships - Albury Wodonga - Games 1 & 2

The first day of the carnival was played on Wednesday 20 November at Kelly Park in Wodonga.

It was a good ground but the clubrooms were empty so obviously not in use. The cricket ground was one of a number of sporting facilities available at the park. There was a good view of the nearby hills.

As the predicted temperature was 35 degrees it was decided to have a 40 over game with extra drinks breaks. The first match was against Tasmania and Victoria won the game easily. Tasmania batted first amd made 8 for 97 in their 40 overs. Robin bowled his seven overs without success (0 for 22 runs). Ronnie Lovel, Ronnie Kasputtis and Tim Speare each took two wickets. Victoria passed the score in the 32nd over. Ian A Gibson (31) and Arthur Pritchard (23).

At this game lunch was available for the ladies as well as for the players.

Back in Albury we had dinner with Waverley and Shirley at the SS&A across the road from the hotel. Bangers and mash and osso bucco with risotto were meals enjoyed from the menu that night.

The second game was on the Thursday at Tallangatta. As the predicted temperature was 42 degrees the game started at 9.30 and was reduced to a 30 over game.

A welcoming committee was on the ground when we arrived.

 This game was against Western Australia.

Western Australia batted first and made 81 runs. Once again our bowlers did a great job including Robin who had the figures of 3 for 9 for his six overs. In reply Victoria made 1 for 83 in 14 overs - Ian Rowland (31), Ian Waters (22) and John Geltch (11).

The Victorians passed the West Australian total by the 14th over so it was another good win for the Victorian team.

The game was over by 12.30 and the players had lunch after the game.

Tallangatta shops

During the match I had a look around Tallangatta.

Tallangatta local history museum

Tallangatta War Memorial in the park in the town centre

In the 1956 the town moved to a new location due to the expansion of the Hume Weir.

Tallangatta is surrounded by hills and during the morning a thick smoke haze from New South Wales bushfires increased in the town.

Smoke haze on Lake Hume November 2019

After the game we detoured to the lake where the smoke haze was very obvious.

Smoke haze on Lake Hume November 2019

Back in Albury the smoke haze had arrived there too.

View from the window of our hotel room - smoke haze hiding the bright blue sky on a very hot (43 degree) day.

In the evening we attended 2018 Australian Over 70s cricket tour of England team reunion dinner.