Barry Everingham was one of the Tamworth Over 50s top-scorers against the Over 60s in their trial on Sunday. Photo: Robert Chappel 230912RCC02
THE Tamworth Over 60s warmed up for the upcoming State Veterans Cricket Carnival with a narrow loss to the Tamworth Over 50s on Sunday.
The third state vets carnival will be held in Tamworth from October 8-11 and will involve a record number of teams.
Sunday’s match was the Tamworth side’s only practice match before that carnival.
The Over 50s batted first and made 214 off their 40 overs.
Fred Baker and Bede Maher got them off to a good start with a handy opening partnership.
Both retired, with Baker scoring 31 and Maher 28.
Barry Everingham also chipped in with 27 retired and Wayne Douglas 25 retired.
The best of the Over 60s bowlers were Terry Murphy with 2-30 from five overs and Col Barton with 2-15 off three.
Barton then top-scored in the run chase.
He finished with 36 and, after retiring, came back at the end but couldn’t quite get the 60s home as they fell five runs short.
Michael Hall also made 34 in their 9-209, David Head 30 and Rob Laurie 28.
Greg Kellett and Everingham both nabbed two wickets, with Kellet taking 2-5 from his two overs and Everingham 2-13 from three.
Next stop is the carnival, which will be played at the Riverside grounds for the second year in a row with Chaffey Park and TREC also utilised.
Eight teams have confirmed their participation, with Hunter and Western region bringing teams for the first time.
Tamworth will field two sides again this year and Quirindi will also be competing again.
Others come from Sydney and the Central Coast with a Northern side made up of players from Armidale and the north coast also coming back.
The teams have been split into two pools of four, with the Tamworth sides on opposite sides of the draw.
The top sides will meet in the final on the last day.