Report for the over 40s season for Broadbeach 2007/08

Our first game for the season we played Coomera at their home ground and we got off to a great start. We lost the toss! We managed to stumble to 184 off our 40 overs with some good batting from Neil Christie Mark Thornton Robbie Matthews and newcomer Craig Sinclair. After lunch we had a bowl and the early signs were good. At the drinks break we had then at 3/73 and seemed to be traveling ok, but late into the day the wheels fell off and they over took our score with 2 overs to spare.
3 points Neil Christie 2 points Craig Sinclair 1 G. Sutton.

Our second game for the season we hosted Beenleigh at home. We won the toss and sent them in. We managed to keep them to 187 with some good bowling from Craig Sinclair and Mark Thorton. After lunch Ted Sheehan and Myself got of to a flyer and push the score to 0/76 at drinks and the team went on with the job with a great inning from Mark Thorton unbeaten on 51 and good support from John Greening and Andy Peters we pass their score in the 38 over.
3 Points Mark Thorton 2 points Craig Sinclair 1 Point Ted Sheehan.

Our Third game of the season we hosted Tamborine on wet and rainy day. They managed only 143 all-out in the 34 over with bowling honors going to Mark Thornton and Tony Dale. After lunch we were never in trouble passing their score in the 33rd over with solid batting from Ted, Neil and Mark.
3 Points Neil Christie 2 Points Tony Dale 1 point Ted Sheehan.

Our Fourth game we played away to Burleigh and kept them to a modest score of 149 from 36 overs with all bowlers doing a very good job and some great fielding from Andy Peters and Neil Christie.
Some great batting after lunch from Neil Craig and John steered the ship over the line in the 38 over.
3 Points Neil Christie 2 Points Craig Sinclair 1 Point John Greening.

Our fifth game was a disappointment with Mudgeeraba forfeiting on the day of game. The only good thing we received was maximum points.

Our sixth and final game before the semis. It was bitter sweet playing away to Palm Beach and winning the toss and sending them in to bat. With a pre match discussion with the team and a few incentives on the table everyone was on a high. Over the first 20 overs both openers played a solid performance and at drinks they were in a good position at 1/86.With tight bowling from Tony, Andy and Chopper we managed to keep them 9/173 after 40 overs. During the luncheon break the batting order changed 10 times. In the end I settled on Andy Manion with Tony Dale opening. After the first over we were flying with the first 4 balls going for 4,4,4,3 and by drinks we were 1/107 and were in complete control. With a unbeaten 51 By Andy Manion and great support from Neil Christie and Mark Thornton both scoring 42 we got the chocolates with 8 over to spare. Our first win over Palm Beach, great effort.
3 Points Andy Manion 1 point to Neil Mark and Tony.

We finished the season in second place behind Coomera and played Palm Beach who finished third at home. With the unavailability of Andy Manion and the team changes at Palm Beach it was always going to be a big task to overcome. We won the toss again and sent them in. With solid performance from all their “Saturday stars” the writing was on the wall early. At drinks they were 2/98 and went right on with the job with 5/208 after 40 overs .Bowling honors to Ted, John and Mark. This was always going to difficult to chase. We got off to a poor start losing 2 quick wickets the pressure was on and at drinks we were 3/69.With our run rate 6 runs by the 25 over mistakes started and wickets fell quickly and we were all out for 151.
It was disappointing losing the semi to Palm Beach but with the team spirit at Broadbeach this has being a great year for us all. Congratulations to Neil Christie for winning the best and fairest and A big thank you to all players and 20008/09 will be the year of the cats.

Over 40’s Captain
Andrew McEwan