Highlands Over 60s cricketers performed well in the inaugural Bradman Masters T20 Tournament against teams from ACT, Mid North Coast and Coffs Harbour.
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The event was over three days and in the first game against Coffs Harbour, Highlands won the toss and made 92 for the loss of five wickets from their twenty overs.
Man of the match Peter Jensen made his 25 before the compulsory retirement, as did Glyn Chivers.
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In reply Coffs tallied 77 for the loss of seven wickets with left-armer Paul Cullen starring with the ball, taking three for 20 from his four overs. Jensen, Rod Watling and Grant Lewis each grabbed a wicket.
Unfortunately the Highlanders came unstuck in their second game against ACT at Chater Oval when their 4-109 was eclipsed by ACT's 3 for 118.
Jensen again retired for 25 while Queensland import Mark Brady made 21 and Mark Ridge 20 not out.
Jensen and Lewis again took wickets but the ACT batsmen were hard to contain.
In the final round game, Highlands again batted first against Mid-north Coast and totalled a respectable 5-96 on Bradman Oval.
After a faltering start to the innings, Gary Whitaker struck the ball well for his 25, Watling made 17 and Ridge 15.
However, the tally wasn't enough and Mid-north Coast ended their innings at one for 119.
The results pitched Highlands into a repeat fixture in the semi-final against Mid-North Coast and, in a very close encounter, Highlands prevailed.
Highlands made 91 with man-of-the-match Brady showing his class in retiring for 28.
He was well supported by Jensen (21) and David Wells whose 15 included a match winning 12 from the final over.
Mid-north Coast will rue their two run outs at crucial times and finished just short on seven for 89.
Paul Cullen bowled a valuable spell, taking two for 18 from four overs while Alistair Little was most economical with 0-9 from his four.
So to the final against the unbeaten ACT at Bradman Oval.
Highlands won the toss and Peter Jensen chose to field, preferring to see what target ACT set.
The ACT batsmen, many of whom still play grade in Canberra, were reasonably contained in making three for 129 from their twenty overs.
The physical strain of playing five games in three days showed in the field somewhat but Paul Cullen grabbed 2 for 26 - and was on a hat trick - from his four overs and Brady and Grant Lewis were economical.
The total was achievable for Highlands, but they started disastrously when gun batsman Gary Whitaker was run out in the opening over.
David Wells, very much hampered by a leg injury, continued to strike the ball well for 18 and in the middle overs, with Jensen and Brady at the crease, the locals were ahead of the run rate.
However, when they hit themselves past the retirement score of 25 the tempo slowed and, although the lower order fought hard, they fell short of the target by five runs on 3 for 124.
This was a commendable result given the difficulty the selectors had in putting a side together, going without the luxury of a 12th man.
Organiser Jock McIllhatton will be pleased with the success of the tournament which should become an annual event attracting more teams in the future.
Highlands will now focus on the Sunday Vintage Cricket League in which they find themselves just edging Kuringai for the leadership having been runners up in 2019/20.
COVID and inclement weather have enabled just two of Highlands scheduled six matches so far to be completed with Highlands winning both games played.
In their most recent fixture they had a very comfortable win against Sri Lankan Lions at Wilberforce.
Highlands totalled 161 for the loss of just four wickets in their innings.
Ian Bradburn (11) and John Lindsay (25) gave their side a good start before Jensen, Brady and Mark Preddy all retired at 30.
The total proved formidable for the home side as they collapsed to be all out for 62 off 35 overs facing some accurate bowling from the Highlands.
Michael Rowles was the star with the ball, taking 4 for 5 from his seven overs. Tim Dibdin chimed in with two wickets as did Lindsay.
Highlands now have two matches remaining, crucially one against second placed Kuringai, and the other a home game against Central Coast, hoping to maintain their position in first place.
In addition the State Over 60s Championships at Orange in early March is looming and Highlands will be desperate to win a carnival in which they have been runners up for the last two years.
Highlands will also again be well represented in the annual State of Origin series against Queensland to be held at Tamworth in late March, while a few of the Over 70s will have guest roles for other regions in the State 70s championships coming up shortly.
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