Adelaide - Victoria versus South Australia 2023

On 13 March we were once again off to the airport to travel on a Virgin flight to Adelaide where the annual Victoria versus South Australia veterans' cricket competition was to be held. Most of the team members stayed at the Arkaba Hotel at Fullarton.

The hotel provided comfortable accommodation, including a functional shower which was easy to use. There were many entertainment spaces near the hotel entrance foyer including the bistro and other restaurants, bars and gaming areas.

We knew that the Monday was the Labor Day (Moomba) holiday in Melbourne but did not realise until we went for a walk that it was also a public holiday in Adelaide - Adelaide Cup Day - and everything, including the local supermarket, was closed.  It was strange to wander around the empty streets. In the evening we had dinner in the bistro with members from the over 70s team and also the over 60s team.

Next morning members of the Victorian over 70s team who had stayed at the hotel met near the hotel lobby before travelling to the Kensington Gardens Cricket Club. We had played at this complex before but this time the weather was perfect for cricket while in 2019 it was raining.

The cricket club has three ovals set in a large park. Other sporting facilities include tennis courts and a bowls club. The over 70s played their match on the Ford Oval.

Team meeting where strategies for the game were discussed before the team moved to the Ford Oval to play the match. Members of the Victorian over 70s team included Kevin Lanigan (Captain), Ian Gibson (VC & Wk), Denis Brown, Robin Court, Jim Geltch, Barry Hopper, Ron Kasputtis, Peter Neville, Les Quarrell, Tim Spear, Robert White and Graeme Wilson.

Robin ready to play cricket

Victoria fielded first with Ronnie Kasputis and Robin opening the bowling.

Both bowlers bowled their eight overs tightly restricting the runs of the South Australian batters so that at the end of sixteen overs the score was around 40 runs. South Australia only managed to score 113 runs in their innings. After lunch Victoria passed the South Australian score, losing only three wickets.

Meanwhile a much closer game was in progress on the Colonel Waite Oval. The match was eventually won by the Victorian over 60s team.

The over 50s match played on the Parkinson Oval was also a close game that Victoria won.

The shield for each match was presented to each of the Victorian teams after the game. We then went back to the hotel to have dinner in the bistro.

Next morning we returned to Adelaide Airport to board the plane returning us to Melbourne. At Tullamarine, the car that Robin had booked was waiting to take us home.

It was a successful and enjoyable trip although we were only away for a couple of days.

Mount Gambier - Victoria versus South Australia - 2020

Each year Victoria and South Australia senior cricket teams meet for an annual match so on Monday 10 February 2020, shortly after 6.30 am (Melbourne time), we set off for the 468 km drive to Mount Gambier in South Australia for a game of cricket.

 

The forecast was for a fine, sunny but humid day and we left early to try avoiding the peak hour Melbourne traffic. We divided the trip into three stages stopping first at a service centre between the Ballan turnoff and Ballarat and then at Hamilton. In Hamilton we stopped at King's Bakery Cafe where we enjoyed a warm savoury scone with a drink. We also purchased some mixed sandwiches to eat later. After a short walk we continued the drive to Mount Gambier.

We arrived at the Blue Lake Hotel at 1.30 pm (Melbourne time). We then needed to adjust to South Australian time which was 1pm.

As we settled into our accommodation for the next two nights a number of other team members started arriving.

View of Mount Gambier from the motel

While the players from the Victorian over 70s team had a quick practice session - it was rather hot - I went for a brief walk.

In the evening we attended the Meet and Greet at Jens Hotel in Commercial Street. A table had been booked for the Over 70s team to enjoy a team dinner after the Meet and Greet but unfortunately this proved not to be a great move as the hotel was apparently busier than usual for a Monday night. We were informed that this was the reason for the service being slow, but it did not account for the delivery of wrong orders and the food was not great. We had obviously chosen the wrong night to eat at this popular location. The Jens Hotel is close to the Cave Gardens a deep sinkhole in the middle of town.

It would be good to say that the next morning dawned bright and clear however there had been rain overnight and it was overcast with drizzle. The game was due to start at 10 am at McDonald Park, a short distance from the motel.

Players Change Rooms and Toilets

There was lots of time for the players of both teams to warm up as they waited until 11.30 for the rain to ease so the game could begin.

Canteen and Scorers' Tent

Meanwhile there were many inspections of the ground in between, and sometimes during, showers.

View through car window

While we waited some of the wives sat in the car and caught up on some reading. From time to time excursions were made to the canteen for a hot drink.

Shirley

At last it was decided to begin the game. South Australia won the toss and elected to bat. After Ronnie Lovel and Gordon Cowling had each bowled their seven overs the score was 5 for 8. It was a great start by the Victorian team. During the 38th over the final South Australian wicket fell for a total of 67 runs. When Robin bowled he had 2 wickets for 12 runs from his 7 overs. It was a great display of bowling and fielding by the Victorian team.

After lunch the Victorian team batted and passed the South Australian team total shortly after drinks.

After the game the players remembered that in their hast to start the game there had not been time for a team photo so this situation was rectified.

Victorian Over 70s team

Victorian and South Australian team members after the game

Later in the evening members of the Over 50s, Over 60s and Over 70s teams for Victoria and South Australia met for dinner at the Blue Lake Golf Club. On the way we passed the Blue Lake which appeared to be even a deeper blue than when we last saw it three years ago. During the evening the Victorian Over 70s team was presented with the winning shield.

Next morning the weather was still overcast and cool. At 7.30 (S A time) we left Mount Gambier to drive home to Melbourne. There was no time for sight seeing on this visit to Mount Gambier as Robin had to be home in time to coach under 10 cricket. Fortunately we had visited Mount Gambier three years before and had allowed time to explore then.

At Hamilton on the return journey we found this monument erected in 1937 to commemorate the exploration of Major Thomas Mitchell in this area in September 1836.

Nearby was a statue of local soldier, Private Edward Kenna, winner of the Victoria Cross medal during World War II.

Shortly after leaving Ballarat we drove into extemely thick fog which lasted until we cleared the Pentland Hills when we drove out of the fog into brilliant sunshine. We arrived home in time for junior cricket practice.

We enjoyed our expedition to Mount Gambier. It was a great win by the Victorian Over 70s team and we enjoyed catching up with people we knew and making new friends. However as Robin remarked when we arrived home - it was a long way to for a game of cricket!

Adelaide - Victoria v South Australia 2019 (part 1)

The annual Veterans Cricket matches Victoria v. South Australia were this year held in Adelaide so on 11 February we travelled to Adelaide arriving in the early afternoon. For many years there have been matches featuring Over 60s and Over 70s teams from each state however this year the Over 50s teams also played.

Chifley on South Terrace, Adelaide

This time we stayed at the Chifley on South Terrace near the centre of Adelaide. During the afternoon we therefore went for a walk to the main shopping area and the river. Coming from Melbourne we were amazed at how quiet Adelaide is.

Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Rundle Mall is a main shopping area. During the walk there were light showers, fortunately as we were near the shopping area so we were able to find shelter while they lasted.

Rundle Mall Fountain, Adelaide

As we had not had lunch we visited Koko Black in the Adelaide Arcade for a hot chocolate and a coffee. The hot chocolate was really good.

Koko Black, Adelaide.

With Valentine's Day approaching the Adelaide Arcade was brightly decorated for the occasion.

Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide

On the way to the river we passed the Art Gallery of South Australia. The sculpture outside the gallery is the Life of Stars (2018) designed to provide reflections of the city.

Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Next to the gallery is the South Australian Museum with a water feature in the forecourt. Next door is the State Library of South Australia. These buildings are in North Terrace close to buildings of the University of Adelaide.

South Australian Museum, Adelaide

Unfortunately we had limited time for exploring Adelaide but will at least know the layout on another occasion.

We were in Adelaide during the Fringe Festival with the Adelaide Festival coming up in March. Posters for events were displayed in various  locations throughout the city.

Looking towards the footbridge, Torrens River, Adelaide

We walked down Kintore Avenue to the Torrens River. Further along the river, the path leads to the Botanic Gardens and the Zoo. The Adelaide Oval is across the river. Plenty of places to explore on another visit.

On the way back to the hotel we passed through Hurtle Square / Tangkaira, one of the many open parklands in Adelaide. The park is divided into four sections. On each corner is a word of the installation - The Forest of Dreams (2003).

Astor Hotel, Adelaide

Later in the evening members of the team and partners had dinner at the Astor Hotel.

The Game

Adelaide - Victoria v South Australia 2019 - The Game

Tuesday 12 February: Forecast rain, should clear by late morning with possible showers in the afternoon. Not a promising day for cricket.

The three games were scheduled to be played at Kensington Cricket Club at Kensington Gardens reserve. There were three cricket ovals, tennis courts and bowling greens as part of the complex. The cricket pitches on two of the grounds had been covered overnight but the ground where the Over 70s game was to be played was uncovered and was therefore a little damp.

The games were scheduled to start at 10.30 but this was obviously not going to happen. The main ground where the Over 50s game was to be played was not too bad and the game started before lunch. Although covered, the ground where the over 60s game was to be played had pools of water on the covers which need to be removed before the covers could be lifted. Meanwhile the players and supporters sheltered from the showers in the club-rooms.

Victorian Over 70s team, Adelaide 2019

During a break in the morning showers the team photos were taken.

South Australian Over 70s team, Adelaide 2019

Meanwhile work continued on making the main oval suitable for play.

Removing the excess water from the covers on oval no. 2 was the next priority while players continued to inspect the third oval to check that it was drying out so cricket might be played .

Not everyone was disappointed with the weather - the ducks enjoyed the change in the weather.

The Kensington Cricket Club was founded in 1871 and the honour boards contained the names of a number of well known South Australian and Australian players.

The Over 60s and Over 70s had lunch at 12 before starting their matches. It was decided that the Over 70s match would still be 40 overs per side but would be played as a split overs game in case rain permanently stopped play.

Victoria had a good lead at the end of the first half of the game and consolidated the lead in the second half. All the players played well particularly the Victorian bowlers. (Robin bowled 7 overs 0 for 8). Greg Johnson retired at 40 runs and took the wicket of the South Australian captain (Alan Reid) so he certainly had a smile on his face.

The players were pleased to have had the opportunity to play and all the games were completed. The Over 60s game resulted in tied scores (115) while the South Australian Over 50s defeated Victoria. Members of all the teams and their supporters enjoyed a barbecue dinner plus the opportunity to discuss the games.

We returned to Melbourne on the Wednesday in time for Robin to coach the Bayswater Park  under 10s after school. As Robin commented, our sojourn in Adelaide was just like a business trip.

Adelaide - part 1

Launceston - Victoria v Tasmania 2018

Each year Victoria and Tasmania Senior Teams meet in February for the annual challenge match. This time the Victorian teams travelled to Launceston for the game on Tuesday 27 February. The game was played at the North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground. The ground has been used for sport, including cricket, since 1851.

Victorian Over 70s team

Team photos were taken before the game. Normally the front row of players are normally sit on chairs or kneel on one knee so all players are visible. Hopefully this will happen again next time.

Victorian Over 60s team

It had rained in Launceston at the weekend and the ground was not great for cricket. The first ground, in front of the David Boon Stand, was inspected by the Over 60s who decided that they would play on the second ground.

The result was that the Over 70s played on a soft pitch making it hard for batsmen to score runs. Unfortunately Victoria lost the toss and the game.

Robin bowling

Victoria batted first first and at the end of the allotted 40 overs had managed to score 9 for 126. John Costello made 40 not out and he and Robin had a 48 run partnership, consisting mainly of singles, which helped move the score into three figures until Robin was run out on 23. N Crane made 28 runs.

Halfway through the Tasmanian innings it was obvious that the players were also having trouble scoring runs. However after the drinks break the batsmen hit a couple of fours and Tasmania was in control. The game ended when Tasmania were 5 for 127 in the 36th over. Victoria's bowling figures included Robin 1/17 off his seven overs, John Costello 1/15 and Ian Longmuir 2/ 20.

The Over 60s made 5/213 while Tasmania were all out for 158. Les Quarrell and David Cordy both retired on 50 runs. Bowling figures for the Victorians were Trevor Selby 3/17, Rex Bennett 2/27, G Wilson 2/45 and P McDonald 3/4 off 3.1 overs.

In the evening members of the two teams (and supporters) met for dinner at The Three Steps restaurant at the Colonial Hotel. The shields were presented to the winning teams and we look forward to next year's games in Melbourne.

Further posts on this adventure:
Exploring Launceston
Launceston - Colonial Hotel
Launceston - Cataract Gorge
Launceston - Cataract Gorge wildlife

Mount Gambier - February 2017

14 February 2017 and we were off  to Mount Gambier to play another Victoria versus South Australia cricket match, this time with the over 70s team. We drove to Mount Gambier via Ballarat and stayed at the Quality Inn Presidential on Jubilee Highway.

While the men went to practise on the ground in readiness for the match the following day, I went for a walk and found a small park containing the entrance to the Engelbrecht Cave.

The limestone cave, beneath part of Mount Gambier, contains a lake and a number of chambers. Two of the chambers can be visited, however when we were at Mount Gambier the cave was closed for maintenance. Something to put on the list for another visit.

Entrance to Engelbrecht Cave

On the way back to the hotel I noticed a tower on the hill. This is the Centenary Tower, opened to the public in 1904. The foundation stone was laid on December 3 1900 to commemorate one hundred years since the sighting and naming of Mount Gambier by Lt Grant when sailing to Sydney on the ship, Lady Nelson.

Centenary Tower

The Meet and Greet was held at Jens Hotel in Commercial Street East. The hotel, built on the site of the first hotel in Mount Gambier, dates back to 1884 and was built by Johannes Jens. On the way back to the car we stopped to view the Cave Garden which is lit up at night. The roof of the cave collapsed thousands of years ago leaving this sinkhole which was used as the main water supply for the first European settlement in 1847. It is now a picturesque garden in the middle of town.

Cave Garden

Next day was the match at McDonald Park.

Victoria Over 70s Cricket Team

Victoria Over 70s batted first and were 4 for 165 at the end of the innings. Ian Gibson(ACS) 33, Arthur Pritchard 23, Ian Longmuir 18, with Ian Hammett rtno 35 and Wavell McPherson rtno 40. In reply South Australia could only manage 54 runs. Ron Kasputtis 2/11, Robin Court 2/11, David Hopper 2/0, Bruce Pooley 1/13, Phil Forsyth 1/14 and Dick Stumbles 1/3 - all bowlers with wickets. Wavell McPherson man of the match - 40 not out and 3 stumpings. Gary Paget was Umpire and Scorer (not at the same time). This was a great team effort.

At the Frew Oval the South Australia Over 60s defeated the Victoria Over 60s team. In the evening members of all the teams met at the Linksview Restaurant for dinner and presentations.

A short walk from the cricket ground is the information centre with a replica of the Lady Nelson at the front. Inside is an interpretive centre providing information about the development and history of the local area.

The Blue Lake

Next day we decided to explore part of Mount Gambier before driving home. We started at the Blue Lake which is a short drive from town. There is walking circuit from which you can view the lake whose water turn blue in the summer months.

The Blue Lake

After walking part way around the lake we found steps leading to a tunnel under the road to the Adam Lindsay Gordon Lookout. We then went for bushwalk into the crater where the Leg of Mutton Lake once existed until the water table dropped.

Leg of Mutton Lake

It was a pleasant walk with lots of birds singing in the trees. In the 1800s a nursery was located in this area to propagate many of the trees, including pine trees, now growing in the region. In the distance there were views of water towers looking out over the trees.

Water tower from Leg of Mutton Lake

On the way back to the car we passed a monument to the pioneer farmers in the district.

Our final stop, back on the Jubilee Highway, was the Umpherston Sinkhole.

Umpherston Sinkhole

This former cave was landscaped in 1886 by James Umpherston.

Umpherston Sinkhole

In some sections it is possible to imagine how this was once a giant cave thousands of years ago.

Umpherston Sinkhole

At night the area is floodlit and apparently the local possums move into the area to feed.

Umpherston Sinkhole

Mount Gambier is a great place to visit. On another visit we would further explore the parklands near the lakes, particularly around Valley Lake and Centenary Tower. There are also a variety of locations a little further from town to explore if time allows.