Veterans O50s - Match Review

In what looked to be an imperative toss to win, Ipswich Captain Brett Schmidt flipped the coin and managed to get the first win of the day under his belt. Sending Gold Coast in to bat on a wicket that looked to have a bit in it for the bowlers, opener Steven Lewis took an early wicket to have Gold Coast under pressure. Ipswich took the honours in the first session courtesy of a brilliant run out by the skipper, keeping Gold Coast 2/50. What happened in the next session looked to be more like a Rugby match with 3 head knocks, blood and a captain sitting on the side lines recovering. Gold Coast rallied in this session getting to 6/137. Ipswich had managed to pick up 2 late wickets to steal momentum. Some great fielding efforts across the team, and quick hands behind the wickets by Jon Cameron (JC), kept the pressure on the Gold Coast, and Ipswich managed to bowl them out for 212.

Dale Wendt - 3/29 (6)

Steven Lewis - 2/30 (8.5)

Paul Munt - 2/50 (9)

Bill Johnson - 1/34 (9)

Chris Sefont - 1/39 (5)

Having scored over 200 in our last 2 games, there was a belief in the team that we could reach the target of 213. We got off to the best start possible with veteran Over 60s Andrew Walsh leading the way with a tempered and sometimes swash buckling 54 retired not out. The opening stand with Scott Lavery had us well within the run rate at 1/54 off 9 overs. Gold Coasts joy was short lived with JC coming in to bat in the form of his life. JC started steady with Walshy blazing at the other end, and once Walshy retired in the 14th over, in comes Cap. Brett belted 29 runs in a 6 over partnership with JC to get us to 2/139. Looking to be in a strong position, the wheels started to wobble, loosing 5 wickets for 47 runs, the pressure was mounting. Chris Sefont toughed it out with grit and determination to get the chase down to single figures, and with 3 runs required, smashed the ball through mid wicket to secure Ipswich's first Over 50s title with a 4.

Andrew Walsh - 54 (51) - RTNO

Jon Cameron - 50 (52) - RTNO

Brett Schmidt - 29 (22)

Scott Lavery - 22 (18)

Chris Sefont - 16* (31)

All in all it was a superb team performance with every player contributing. Special mention and thanks to Glenn Gotting who trained with us and donned the whites on game day to help us if required.

Mates for life, bring on next season.