Queensland Veteran’s Cricket: Gold Coast Over-50s thump Wide Bay

The Gold Coast Blue Thunder Over-50s have stormed to an eight-wicket victory over Division One heavyweights Wide Bay in the opening match of their new season.

Masters cricket is exploding on the Coast. Training at Mudgeeraba Cricket Club is Gary Lovett. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Gold Coast Blue Thunder Over-50s have stormed to an eight-wicket victory over Division One heavyweights Wide Bay in the opening match of their new season.

Bowler Michael Greenhatch was awarded man of the match after his nine-over spell claimed four top order wickets at the cost of 17 runs.

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The bowling of Matt Gill kept on the pressure from the opposite end with three wickets, including the scalp of former Australian Over-50s opening bat Allan Bougoure who topscored for Bay with 34.

Wide Bay ended their innings at 9-149 from 45 overs.

Masters cricket is exploding on the Coast. Training at Mudgeeraba Cricket Club is Gary Lovett. Picture Glenn Hampson

Opener Jeffrey Lindemann posted 52 runs before retiring not-out after 73 balls.

No.3 Scott Morris scored 33 before losing his wicket, bringing skipper Garry Lovett to the crease alongside debutant Paul Baird. The duo combined for 33 runs from 38 balls to reach Wide Bay’s total in 32 overs.

The one-sided match is a sure-fire sign the new Gold Coast outfit has the mettle to go one better than last year’s runners-up position.

Defeat to Brisbane in the Grand Final ended the 2019 season on a sour note but a chance to redeem themselves is at hand.

The Blue Thunder will return to Brisbane in two weeks hoping to avenge last year’s loss and establish themselves as Over-50s division kingpins.

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