Thursday 21 November
Victoria White versus South Australia
Both games one and two were played at Pavans Riverside Oval. There are two grounds divided by building which contains change rooms. We played on the main ground.
We arrived at the Pavans ground to discover that the ground was not set up for playing cricket. There were no stumps and bails. The ground was not marked for over 70s cricket and it was quite some time before we obtained cones and the rope to mark out the distance to place the cones. We had been told that there were no chairs but did not realise that this also meant no chairs for the scorers and no scorers' table. There was no scoreboard. The scorers had to improvise!
The change rooms, though, did have a good overhang providing shade during the match and, once we had located the equipment to hold the game, the ground was a good ground to play on. Game one was against South Australia who batted first and made 2 for 150. Robin bowled eight overs, no wickets for 24 though a catch was dropped when he was bowling. Victoria won the game - 7 for 151. Robin and Steve Pasco were batting when the winning runs were scored.We encountered many ibis (bin chickens) at Pavans Park (Riverside Oval) and in the nearby park.Players and spectators had faced a number of challenges during the day. We later discovered that this was largely due to individual clubs not being responsible for a specific Council ground.When we arrived at the ground the rooms had been opened for the players and the ladies' toilet was open but there was limited toilet paper. Fortunately, there was paper in the ambulant toilet.
Lunch was collected from the main pavilion at Lady Cutler Park. Water was provided for the players but there were no facilities for making tea or coffee.
However there was a light breeze during the day making conditions quite pleasant for those playing and watching the game.
On the first day, three of the four Victorian teams won their matches.
Friday 22 November
Victoria White versus ACT
On a fine sunny day we were back at Pavans for game two. This time the players had kept the stumps, bails and cones from yesterday's game so it was easier to get the field ready for play.
Gary Semple brought a trestle table for the scorers plus chairs that he found in a shed at the airbnb where he and Karen were staying.Victoria bowled first and ACT made 5 for 162 runs in their 40 overs. Robin bowled 5 overs - one wicket for 26 runs. In reply Victoria made 7 for 163. Steve and Robin were ready to bat if required.David Cordy was playing for ACT so we therefore caught up with Dave and Karen. For the first match a garbage bin was used as a table. For this game, Dave used the bin to air his clothes.I went for a walk to the Lady Cutler Reserve where there were three more cricket grounds. Some of the houses overlooking the Pavans ground.There was only an occasional breeze during the day making it feel hotter than yesterday.At the team meeting at the motel we learned that all four Victorian teams had won their games.
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