Highlands Veterans cricketers were disappointed to lose their opening match in the inaugural Vintage Cricket competition for over 60s.
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The match was played at Bland Oval, Riverwood, against Sydney team, Georges Hall.
The Vintage competition has attracted eight teams, mostly from the Sydney area, and the Highlands team, a recent runner-up in the state championships at Maitland, is expected to perform well.
However, selectors had a struggle just getting a competitive XI on the field for the first clash due to unavailability.
The top order still looked strong on paper and when skipper for the day, Rod van Beek, won the toss and batted, Highlands expected to post a score in excess of 150.
For that to happen the top order guns, van Beek, Peter Jensen and Ian Bradburn would have to fire.
Unfortunately this was not the case on the day and only Jensen mastered a slow wicket to make a significant contribution.
After losing van Beek and BRadburn, newcomer Graham Craig looked solid in partnership with Jensen until bowled for 12.
Jensen found an ally in debutant Ron Almeida but he struggled to break the shackles, out for 12.
There was some late order hitting by Trevor Batholomuewez who hit two sixes in his 20 got the score to 9-129, allowing Jensen to resume his innings but David Babbage was run out with a couple of overs left.
This left Jensen stranded on 33, Highlands innings closing on 132.
Georges River's Steve Lucas was always threatening to take 2-29 from seven overs while McQueen had 2 for 15 from 6.
Skipper Rod van Beek reminded the Highlanders before taking the field that "we've got runs on the board" but he must have been secretly thinking I wish we had another 20.
Wright and Bray put on 16 for the first wicket and the home side was 4-60 at drinks.
At that point the match was evenly poised as Highlands were 3 -72 at the same stage.
A partnership between Pomfrey (24) and Kevin Croom (29 not out) boosted the Georges Hall score but Jensen bowled a great spell to grab three wickets.
A strong effort from van Beek took who two wickets in consecutive balls also helped to put the opposition in some peril at 8-93.
However, Croom steadied the ship with good support from Parker (14 not out) and with van Beek lacking depth in his bowling attack Georges Hall reached the Highlands total in the 39th over.
It wasn't the start to the competition Highlands wanted but they have another six matches to gain some competition points.
Several Highlands Over 60s players will head to Adelaide next weekend to represent NSW in the national Over 60s championships.
Peter Jensen will lead the Divison One team and will be accompanied by fellow Australian representative Ian Bradburn, who will also bat in the top order and keep wicket.
In addition Gary Whitaker is a powerful top order player who is head coach with UTS North Sydney in Sydneys grade competition.
All-rounder Rod van Beek will play in Division 2 while opening bowler Rod Watling and Chris Ford will play in Division 3 teams and all are expected to make a significant contribution in their respective teams.
Highlands Veterans will also host a visit from the touring England Over 60's team in a few weeks.
Chater Oval will be the venue on November 20 when a Southern NSW team, including no less than seven Highlanders including Peter Jensen as captain, will take on the visitors.
That clash will be closely followed by the first of three one-dayers the England team will be playing on their Australian tour.
The internationals will be billed as The Grey Ashes and visitors to Bradman Oval on November 22 will see just how high the standard is in these closely fought contests.
Both matches will start at 9.45am with a ceremony followed by play at 10.15am and organisers are hoping a healthy crowd will turn out.
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