Mid North Coast teams impressed in the recent NSW State Championships for Over 60’s ,played in Tamworth with the first Division team, MNC Sharks finishing third in their division and the more senior, MNC Dolphins winning the third division competition.
These results exceeded expectations.
Under the astute captaincy of Merv Bourke, the MNC Sharks ( Average Age 62) scored 2 fine wins in the first division competition over more favoured teams, Port Jackson (Sydney) and Quirindi.
Division One
Scores: MNC 2/87 (Alec Rullis: 18, Merv Bourke 25*) d Port Jackson 86.(Rod Watling5/8, John Corcoran 2/30 Steve Sullivan 1/5 , Russ Harris 1/14 and Warren McWilliams 1/6).
Final (Play off for Third)
Mid North Coast 6/172 – David Babbage 18, John Corcoran 39, Mike Gallagher 29 Ken O’Gilvie 40 ret and Warren McWilliams 17) defeated Quirindi 152 – Steve Sullivan32/10, Rod Watling 2/21, Rod Van Beek 2/13, Warren McWilliams 2/25 and Merv Bourke 1/14.
These wins followed an honourable draw against Tamworth and after an ambush by the very strong Newcastle team on Day one.
Scores:
Newcastle Lords Taverners: 2 wks for 152 ( Rod Watling 1/14; John Corcoran 1/33) d MNC Sharks 7/150 ( P Jensen 43 ret, Alec Rullis 25, Dennis Jackson 25, Merv Bourke 21).
Tamworth: 4 wks for 204 ( Rod Watling 1/ 23; Rod Van Beek 1/16; Russ Harris 1/34; Peter Jensen 1/23 drew with MNC did not bat due to rain.
The MNC Dolphins (Average Age 68) were undefeated to win third division led by Port Macquarie veteran, Jeff Perkins.
Division Three:
Scores: Day 1: MNC Dolphins 4/136 (Bill Ireland 33, Ralph Sadler 30, Tim Williams 16*, Greg Kohler 16*, Bill Sadler 14) d Unex 8/129. (Kev Pike 2/4; Les King 2/19; Don Berry 1/6, Tim Williams 1/14, Greg Kohler 1/17 and Darrell Little 1/25).
Day 2: MNC 1/96 (Ralph sadler 29, Bill IRELAND 27*,Jeff Perkins 25*) drew with Tamworth 3/59. (Kev Pike 1/10, Les King 1/17, Tim Williams 1/12)
Day 3: MNC 8/137 (Ralph Sadler 27, Bill Sadler 33, Darrell 20*) d Central Coast 132 (Don Berry 3/22, Darrell Little 2/19, Les King 1/18, Wayne Mason 1/13, Bill Sadler 1/8).
Final: MNC 5/141 (Bill Ireland 30, Darrell Little 40*, Tim Williams 25, Jeff Perkins 18) d Central Coast
7/137 (Kev Pike 1/11, Bill Sadler 2/19, Tony Dimuantes 2/30, Tim Williams 1/16, Don Berry 1/20)
Spokesman for Mid North Coast, Kevin Pike expressed his thanks to captains and all players for all the great match results in the Championships.
In summary, performers of distinction included:
Bowling:
Ist Div
Rod Watling: 24 Ov, 5 Mdns, 9 wks for 66 runs, Av 7.33, Econ 2.75, Best 5/8 v Port Jackson.
Steve Sullivan: 16 Ov, 2 mdns, 4 wks for 43, Av 10.75, Econ 2.6, Best 3/10 v Quirindi.
Rod Van Beek: 15 Ov, 3 wks for 64, Av 21.23, Econ 4.2, Best 2/13 v Quirindi.
3rd Div
Kev Pike: 20 Ov, 6 Mdns, 4 wks for 39, Av: 9.75, Econ 1.8, Best 2/4 v UNEX.
Don Berry: 16 Ov, 1 Mdn, 5 wks for 52, Av: 10.4, Econ 3.25, Best 3/22 v Cen Cst.
Bill Sadler: 15 Ov, 3 wks for 52, Av: 17.33, Econ 3.4, Best 2/19 v Cen Cst.
Tim Williams: 16 Ov, 3 wks for 58, Av: 19.33, Econ 3.6, Best 1/12 v Tamworth Green.
Darrell Little: 24 Ov, 3 wks for 60, Av: 20 Econ 2.5, Best 2/19 v Cen Cst.
Batting 1st Div
Merv Bourke: Agg: 46, Av 46, Best 25*
Peter Jensen: Agg 43, Av 43, Best 43*
Mike Gallagher: Agg 33, Av 33, Best 29*
Alec Rullis: Agg 52, Av 26, Best 25
Denis Jackson: Agg 52, Av 26, Best 27
John Corcoran: Agg 47, Av 26, Best 39
3rd Div
Darrell Little: Agg 70, Av 70, Best: 40*
Jeff Perkins: Agg 54, Av 54, Best: 25*
Bill Ireland: Agg 90, Av 45, Best: 33
Bill Sadler: Agg: 52, Av 26, Best 33
Ralph Sadler: Agg: 88, Av 22, Best 30
State selectors were impressed with the performances of the Mid North Coast teams, and following the carnival the following players were named in the NSW Teams to play the touring UK Over 60’s in Manly on November 21 and Wyong on November 22: MNC Opening fast bowler, Rod Watling (Burrawong) was named in the NSW City team; Spin bowlers Graham Doust (Coffs Harbour) and John O’Shaughnessy (Lake Cathie); Opening batsman, Warren Mc Williams (Diamond Beach) and middle order batsman, Merv Bourke (Sancrox) were named to play in the NSW Country team.
