Men in white have descended upon the Valley.
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The Veteran Cricketers have come from as far north as Noosa and as far south as Sydney, in an annual tournament that pits state against state.
“It’s about pride – that’s all we’ve ever really played for,” Qld Country Division 2 Captain Ron Faulks said.
The Cooper-Finlay Cup began back in 2007 when New South Welshman Kevin Finlay extended an invitation to beloved veteran Qld wicketkeeper Lew Cooper to play a clash in Tenterfield for the love of state.
The competition now boasts three Over 60s and two Over 70s divisions, and is being hotly fought this year on the Coffs Coast.
The NSW Division 2 Waratahs (hailing mostly from Sydney, Newcastle, Port Macquarie) lost the coin toss which meant the Qld lads took the Thistle Park pitch first for their 45 overs.
“We had a good start and then a few wickets fell early – our run rate took a dive,” the Qld Captain said.
The first two wickets were run-outs.
“They were direct hits, and that changed the game quite a bit,” NSW bowler David Chapman said.
Jeff Matchett from Sydney managed to bowl two wickets for 18 from eight overs, with David Chapman from Port coming in at two for 19 from six overs.
The Veteran Cricket NSW president Dave Head took a great catch on the boundary to add to his run-out, leaving the Qld team floundering to put runs on the board.
The motley Qld crew finished up their 45 overs with 149 runs, leaving NSW to cruise in for 150 with 4 wickets still standing.
“For us old blokes, it’s a long day – 45 overs on the field,” David Chapman said.
Notable mention goes to Warren McWilliams who took a wicket and got his 40 runs in under 12 overs before compulsory retirement.
Today the division one teams will be having a crack at the field that Phillip Hughes made famous in a battle to decide once and for all which is the superior cricketing state.