Gippsland Goannas Over 60s cricket team returned to action recently with a big win against Yarra Valley at Traralgon’s Duncan Cameron Park.
Clear skies, a westerly breeze and a good pitch combined to ensure the game was played in ideal conditions.
Yarra Valley won the toss and decided to insert the Goannas.
Ian Gibson and Graeme Freshwater started carefully and built a partnership, which ended when Gibson was bowled for 32 in the 19th over.
After 20 overs Gippsland was 1/67 with Fred Debono joining Freshwater, who departed stumped shortly after for 35.
Kevin Lanigan came to the crease as the scoring rate increased until Debono was stumped for seven.
Lanigan retired on 40, Murray Moore 15, Gordon Cowling 11, Val Popov 13 not out, Neil Meredith and Peter Dell, in his first game for the season, all added to the total as the Goannas reached 6/166 at the end of their 40 overs.
When it was Yarra Valley’s turn to bat, Ian Southall and Cowling kept them to 18 runs from the first 10 overs.
Moore and Meredith replaced the openers and hit the stumps removing one of the openers, with their sixth ball.
Yarra Valley were 1/36 and continued to try to increase the scoring rate.
Despite a
Opening bat John King retired for 24 not out as did number four bat Trevor Selby (40 not out).
Gippsland was under pressure as Yarra Valley reached 2/99 in the 27th over.
A Lanigan affected run-out, an absolute blinder of a catch by Freshwater at short mid-wicket and an LBW decision allowed the Goannas to get back on top.
From there Gippsland dismissed their opponents for 116 in the 35th over.
Lanigan and Debono each took two wickets, but with three run-outs and the three excellent catches, fielding was the major difference between the two sides.
The Goannas now have a week off, playing their next game at Geelong on 29 January.
