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After not being able to train during Covid-lockdown Kooweerup Over-60’s played their first game for the season against the Gippsland Goannas at Maffra on turf.
Seven regular players were unavailable, leaving Koowee with nine players, but the Goannas were kind enough to lend Gary Rose and Ray Floyd for the day.
Graham Davey lost the toss and the Goannas decided to bat. Rules for batting were that batters were allowed to face 40 balls or make 40 runs before retiring.
Ray Smith and Fred Debono opened the batting and by the 11th over Smith had faced his 40th ball, scoring 43 in of the Goannas score of 53.
The Demons claimed their first wicket in the 15th over when Steven Nadj bowled Debono for 15 off 35 balls. After 20, the Goannas were 1/99.
Col Carmody 41 (40) retired before the Demons claimed their second wicket – Ray Floyd trapped Rod Taylor LBW for 18 (29).
Koowee claimed two more quick wickets when Neil Meredith 3(10) was bowled by Davey and Murray Moore was caught by Dallas Wyatt for a third ball duck.
The Goannas were then 4/134 in the 28th over before moving to 5/199 after 40. Davey was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/37 off eight, while Dallas Wyatt, Nadj and Floyd all chimed in with a wicket apiece.
Kooweerup was always on the back foot, being 1/11 in the 10th over when Brett Carey was dismissed for 6 (27). Davey 9 (40) retired in the 20th over
Andrew Thomas 8 (14), Wayne Dozzi 6 (6), Nadj 9 (6), Wyatt 14 (40), Floyd 5 (20), Rose 7 (40), Jim Gregory 5 not out (8) and Ross Farmer 13 (37) all tried hard but the Demons finished on 5 for 83 from their 40 overs.
Kooweerup may not have had a great start to the season, but they have finally played a game of cricket and all they can do is improve,
Next Sunday Kooweerup is at home to Ringwood.
