Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Sunshine Coast

The Over 70 National Cricket Championships in 2025 were held on the Sunshine Coast from late August to early September. 

On this occasion Robin played in the Second Division. Most of the team members were former team mates from previous competitions.

Game One was played against the ACT at Caboolture on Thursday 28 August.

Game Two was played against South Australia at Maroochydore on Friday 29 August.

Game Three was played against Tasmania at Tewantin on  Monday 1 September.

Game Four was the final played against New Zealand at Buderim on Tuesday 2 September. 

The social functions were the Meet and Greet at the Alexander Headlands Surf Club while, after the final games, the Victorian teams gathered at the Maroochy Surf Club for dinner to celebrate having attended another championship.

Post match meetings for the Victoria teams were held at The Dock located on The wharf around the corner from the resort. 

There were four divisions at this carnival with Victoria having seven teams. 

Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Sunshine Coast - Arrival

On 24 August we left home for Tullamarine where we met other cricketers waiting for the plane to fly to the Sunshine Coast for the Over 70 National Cricket Championship. 

It proved to be an eventful flight. As it was pouring with rain all passengers entered the plane via the front door which delayed the departure of the plane. Once everyone was aboard we had to wait additional time for permission for the plane to take off. We had been told that there was a problem with our allocated seats so Robin and I sat in different rows. Then at the airport at Maroochydore the luggage carousel broke down for about fifteen minutes. We eventually arrived at the Landmark Resort in Mooloolaba at 3 pm - six hours after leaving home. 

We walked to Coles for supplies for breakfast and for my lunch at cricket games and enjoyed the warm 23 degrees weather. In the evening we went to Betty's Burgers for dinner before returning to the hotel for an early night.

The next morning I was woken by the sound of sirens. A small fishing boat near the entrance to the river was upturned by a wave when trying to cross the bar. The captain drowned but four others aboard managed to get safely to shore.

It was a sunny day so in the morning we walked along the foreshore to Alexander Headlands. 

A number of other cricketers were also walking along the foreshore. On the way back to the resort we purchased sushi for lunch and also had hot drinks at the Baycrest. Robin had cricket practise in the afternoon. 

In the evening we walked back to Alexander Headlands Surf Club for the Meet and Greet. Back at Mooloolaba we had dinner at Craft Espresso & Bar.

A busy day.

Over 70 National Championship 2025 - Game One

Thursday 28 August we set off for Caboolture, 57 kilometres south of Mooloolaba, for the first game in Second Division - Victoria Blue against A.C.T.

Victoria Blue batted first and scored 7 for 146 in their 40 overs. Robin scored nine runs bot out at the end of the innings. The A.C.T scored only 70 runs. Robin bowled five overs with one wicket for 15 runs.

It was a lovely sunny day for watching and enjoying cricket. A good start for the carnival by Victoria Blue. In Third Division Victoria Blue defeated Victoria Silver.

Scorers hard at work

Back at Mooloolaba Robin spent some time in the pool at the resort. We then went for a walk and had dinner at Quarter Deck. I had lamb shank risotto while Robin enjoyed salmon and salad.

Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Game Two

On Friday 29 August Victoria Blue played South Australia in the Second Division Game at Maroochydore Cricket Club at Buderim. The game was on the Kev Hackney Oval.

South Australia batted first and made 57 runs. Robin bowled six overs, four maidens, two wickets for four runs.

Victoria Blue passed the South Australia score without losing a wicket in the twelfth over.

Another lovely sunny day with a good win for Victoria Blue.

The local plovers enjoyed watching the game.

Back in Mooloolaba we went to the team meeting at The Dock on The Wharf followed by dinner with Greg and Bronwyn .

Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Game Three

Monday 1 September and we were off to Tewantin, near Noosa north of Mooloolaba, for the Second Division Game between Victoria Blue and Tasmania.

The game was played at Read Park

When we arrived the ground staff were preparing the ground for the game while the players inspected the wicket.

Tasmania batted first and made 87 runs. Robin bowled his eight overs resulting in three maidens for 17 runs.

Initially the weather was cloudy followed by showers in the afternoon, particularly when Victoria Blue started to bat. The game ended with the Victoria Blue score at 2 for 69 in the 26th over. Victoria Blue was declared the winner of the game when the Duckworth-Lewis system was used to determine the result.

I spent the afternoon watching the game through a wet car windscreen until the game was called off and the covers remained on the pitch.

Victoria Blue had now won three games out of the three played in Second Division and were in the finals. At the after match meeting at The Dock we celebrated four Victorian teams winning games that day. In the Third Division Victoria Blue would also play in the finals for their division.

Dinner was once again at The Dock on The Wharf with Noel, Julie, Greg and Bronwyn. 

Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Game Four

On Thursday 2 September we returned to the Maroochydore Cricket Club at Buderim for the Second Division final. Victoria Blue was playing New Zealand.

The First Division final (New South Wales versus New Zealand) and Third Division final (Victoria versus New South Wales) were also payed on Maroochydore Cricket Club grounds.

The pitch favoured the batting team. New Zealand made 3 for 182 in their allotted overs. Robin bowled seven overs for 37 runs.

Players and spectators enjoying lunch before the Victorian team's tun to bat. The Victorians batted well and passed the New Zealand score with three overs to go. Robin and Charlie Morris had a good partnership towards the end of the game. Robin made 23 runs off 25 balls before he was run out.

A great victory for Victoria Blue in Division Two.

Carl and Jill with dog watching the game.

Lily and Tim

Jan catching up with events other than cricket on her phone.

Over 70 National Cricket Championship 2025 - Winners are Grinners

At the end of the game:

Congratulations

Celebrations

Robin, John and Tim

Tim and Robin with Lily after medal presentation

Robin with his medal

Each winning team was also presented with the winners' shield after the match.

Later in the evening members of the seven Victorian teams met at the Maroochy Surf Club for dinner where the Victorian Second Division team members continued their celebrations before returning home to Victoria after a successful championship.

Victorian teams also came third in the First Division and second in the Third Division.