The Australian Cricket Society’s intrepid Over 60s team made it two from two at the weekend…. defeats that it — despite a highly promising debut from bowling allrounder Neil ‘Donut’ Smith against the men from Gippsland.
Smith, from the Kingston Saints, dismissed Australian Over 60s batsman Kevin Lanigan lbw as part of three spells which produced 1-19 from his eight overs. Earlier he’d hit his first ball for the ACS high over mid on for four, despite having been told by his captain to have a look at ‘em first….
Smith’s quickfire 16 from 10 balls helped the ACS up to 8-131 from 40 overs at Royal Elsternwick. At one stage we lost 5-1 after a bright beginning.
Greg Johnson in at three made 19. He also figured in an early direct hit run out. Top scorer was the ACS’s captain-for-a-day Ken Piesse with 40, at better than a run a ball.
Gippsland Goannas scored 171 from their 40 overs, with ex-South Melbourne opener from the late ‘70s Ray Smith making a cultured 43 and Lanigan 24.
Bouncy Bobby Hopkins had eight overs for 19 and Peter Neville, the ex-Magpie was excellent also with eight economical overs of finger spin.
The Over 60s lads play Essendon next weekend before the first Wandering XI fixture against the Lord’s Taverners at Parkdale on October 30. Among those to bolster the batting against the Dons are Phil O’Meara and fellow Port Melbourne legend Graeme Anderson.
Pictured: Ken Piesse with Gippsland skipper Poppy Popof