PJ Reds Regain Title at State Over 60s Championships

The Over 60 State Championships were held in Maitland from 13th to 17th October this year with Port Jackson entering two teams, PJ Red, captained by John Adamson in Division 1 and PJ Blue captained by Peter Rolls in Division 2.

John Adamson reflects on a successful week for the Reds

Four unforgettable days, October 13^th – 17th. One incredible team. Zero losses.

Port Jackson Red - State Over 60 Division 1 Champions

Back row: Peter O'Reilly, Ross Greenwood, Angus Kingsmill, Darren Smith, John Adamson(c), Stuart Ridge, Paul Adams, Ash Perrot

Front row: Ed Cross, David Craig, David Bennetts, Rick Howard

Mark Wilson also joined the team for the final 2 games.

In the heart of Maitland, NSW a place as welcoming as it is picturesque. A band of like-minded PJ cricket lovers came together for the NSW State Championships carnival.  After runners up status from the last two years the team were excited about the week ahead. 

Over four days of fierce competition, camaraderie, and sun-soaked pitches, our spirited squad played with heart, hustle, and harmony, winning every single match including the big dance final.

Highlights included:

• Dominant performances across all games, spreading the love and showcasing skill and synergy between all players

  • MOM game 1 vs Central West - Darren Smith with 41 not out off 28 to get us off to a great start for the week

  

  • MOM game 2 vs Illawarra - Ed Cross got us up to a competitive total with 43 not out off 51 followed by a tidy death spell to close out a tight win

    
    

    

  • MOM game 3 vs Hunter - Ash Perrot with an agressive 40 not off 37 balls with 9 fours  

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  • MOM Final vs Riverina -  David Bennetts 43 not out and and 3 for 14 in a fine all round performance in the decider

  
  

• Unbreakable team spirit and laughter both on and off the field, despite the captain all but giving the task away after day 2

• Rest day providing a memorable day with the Legend Doug Walters, still full of life, with cracking stories, and his famous lists. (Tip is do not get on the second list!)

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• A final that provided icing on top for the team, it was the game of the week that columnated in everything coming together on the day with bat, ball, and fielding.

Maitland provided the perfect backdrop with its great grounds, great vibes, and memories that’ll last a lifetime.

A massive thank you to everyone involved in putting on such a successful carnival.

Keep the dream alive and keep cracking on

JA

Manager Geoff Orme reports on the Blues week

Port Jackson Blues - State Over 60 Chamionships - Division 2

Back row: Mark Wilson, Tony Wright, Jeremy Berenger, Keith Parker, Martin Speiser, Joe Scarcella, Mark Ridge, Geoff Orme

Front row: Janaka Ranawaka, Murray Carter, Peter Rolls(c), Upul Dangalle

Inset: Mal Whittaker

Games Results

All games were played in the Maitland area and none affected by weather. A pink ball was used in all games. Each game was 40 overs each side. Our scorer Christine Carter (Murray’s wife), was present for all games and did a wonderful job. The finals were held on Friday 17 October. Following game 2, Mark Wilson was elevated to the PJ Red team (Division 1) to replace Paul Adams, (family matters). Red went on to win the tournament.

Here follows a brief summary of each game

Game 1 vs Mid North Coast/Coffs Harbour (MNC) at Maitland on 13 Oct. Toss won by MNC.

Our first game started on a positive note with Tony Wright claiming a wicket with the first ball. MNC batted with some resolve, with Hall top scoring with 33. Pick of the bowlers was Wright with 2/9 from five, Janaka with 2/17 from five, and Mark Wilson with 2/9 from two overs. Our sundries mounted and we were left chasing their score of 140.

After a steady start, we lost wickets at crucial times, never quite putting the game to bed. Mark Ridge top scored with 25 (58 balls) and Jeremy Berenger was not out 21 (41 balls), however we fell well short, scoring a total of 91 from 33 overs.

Game 2 vs Greater Illawarra Southern District (GISD) at Coronation on 14 Oct. Toss won by PJVCC.

The second game was a close match. We batted first posting 171. Mark Ridge top scored with 40 rtd NO (41 balls), with helpful contributions from Mark Wilson rtd NO 20 (40 balls), Peter Rolls rtd NO 29 (40 balls), and Murray Carter rtd NO 20 (40 balls).

After a solid start by GISD, wickets fell. Scores by a number of their batsman kept us at bay, however we kept in the hunt with solid bowling returns again from Tony Wright 1/17 from seven overs, Upal Dangalle with 1/39 from seven overs, Keith Parker 1/16 from six overs, and both Mark Ridge and Janaka Ranawaka picking up a wicket each.

The GISD passed our score in the 37^th over in a very close finish. It was a much-improved performance from our team and almost a turnaround in fortunes.   

Game 3 vs Western Wildfires (WW) at Thornton on 16 Oct. Toss won by WW.

This game had it all! The wicket was flat and fast, and the outfield had plenty of runs for the taking. Conditions were hot and the stage was set for high scores and a tough contest.

WW batted first and posted 9/211 from their 40 overs. Wright and Scarcella led our attack. Sound catching and athletic fielding was prominent (four catches, two run outs, and a stumping). Wickets were claimed by the ever-consistent Tony Wright with 1/35 form seven, Upal Dangalle with a great spell of fearsome bowling claiming 2/18 from seven overs, and single wickets to Orme, Janaka, and Parker. Tough conditions for our keeper Murray Carter, who did a great job with the gloves.

There was early success for their bowlers however Ridge 14 (38 balls) and Speiser 17 (27 balls) steadied the ship. WW fielding was exceptional and the best seen in this tournament. Captain Rolls contributed a punishing 34 rtd NO (40 balls) which included two towering sixes. Scores by Whittaker not out 21 (41 balls), Carter 24 run out (31 balls) and a cracking 29 (19 balls) from Upal Dangalle gave us a huge chance. Janaka was not out 15 (21 balls) along with Joe Scarcella on 4 (8 balls) in a solid finish. We fell short however, and scored 7/178 from our 40 overs.

Note: WW went on to win the tournament and well deserved for the way they played the game.

Game 4 Final vs Central North (CN) at Maitland on 17 Oct. Toss won by CN.

This game was a final for both teams who were yet to post a win for the tournament.

CN batted first, and were all out for 179. Wickets fell at regular intervals with Tony Wright claiming an important 1/14 from six overs to continue his good bowling form for the tournament. Contributions from Upal Dangalle with 0/16 off 5 overs  was also the form bowler for us. Keith Parker (Man of the Match) 3/28 from six overs (who gets very excited when he takes a wicket), Geoff Orme with 3/27 also from six overs (to get back his bowling mojo), and Mark Ridge 1/5 from six very tight overs to put the brakes on CN at the end of their innings. Two run outs and two catches were indicative of a strong fielding effort from all our players. A very satisfying effort in the field.

The batting order was shuffled and Martin Speiser (9 from 7 balls) and Malcolm Carter (5 from 14 balls) set things up with a quickfire 16 opening stand. Upal (rtd NO 39 from 40 balls -7 fours) and Janaka (27 from 23 balls - 6 fours) then set to work putting on a partnership of 63 runs in a disciplined and patient batting display characterized by fine cricket shots and quick running between the wickets. Continuing his stellar form Captain Peter Rolls smacked 46 rtd NO (41 balls -5 fours and 2 sixes). Joe Scarcella contributed with 16 (29 balls), and Tony Wright plated a first-class cameo innings of 16 from 10 balls (two fours and a six). Mal Whittaker, mostly recovered from a flu-like illness, continued his fine team contributions with 7 runs from 10 balls.

A fine win in 29 overs on which to close out our state tournament. Many lessons learnt for next year.

Thanks and well done all. Special thanks to the organisers, umpires, caterers, volunteers, and all our PJ’s Committee and selectors working behind the scenes to make this an enjoyable and memorable tournament. Assisted by fine weather for the tournament.

A fine summary by Manager Geoff Orme and a big thanks to him from the Captain for his invaluable efforts on and off the field.

See PlayHQ for full details and all results.

Peter Rolls

Captain.