CBC, now all retired bank officers, originally played for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in the bank competition back in the 70s and 80s.

CBC now plays in the international Golden Oldies competitions in many exotic locations throughout the word including Barbados, Capetown and Buenos Aeries.

Ian Holstein, the founder of the club, came down from the Gold Coast to play this most recent match and spent much of the day reminiscing with another golden oldie, Kev Pike.

CBC were short on players and Mid North Coast gladly offered six of their players to become honorary bankers for the day.

To ensure a good match, the younger players in the Mid North Coast were spread across the two teams. The average age of both teams was 65 years.

MNC batter Alex Rullis opened the CBC innings with David Ziehlke.

The visitors looked like getting off to a to a good start but a questionable call for two runs ended in disaster with a direct hit from Mike Bulmer ending the innings of the CBC danger-man, Ziehlke.

The MNC opening attack of Steve Cass and Bruce Wilson commanded respect, as Rullis found out as he too adventurously played to an accurate in-swinger from Wilson which toppled his castle.

Steve Allan started playing his shots and his innings was most attractive and entertaining. Steve retired at 35 to much applause.

CBC recruits for the day, Paul Price (24) John Corcoran (27) kept the scoreboard ticking along and at drinks the CBC were 6/82.

After the break, Greg Kohler adopted an aggressive approach early with a six from his first ball faced!

Corcoran also joined in with a lovely six over the deep mid-wicket. After the departure of Corcoran and Kohler, Kev Pike (11*) played a cameo and the innings ended at 9/158 with all to play for after lunch.

Corcoran and Brett opened the bowling for CBC with Warren Mc Williams and Steve Cass facing the music.

Much to Mama Cass’s dismay, a quick single and an ungrounded bat found him short with a direct hit from side-on by Pike!

Dave Relf (17) looked comfortable until he lost his footing and was also run out. Two quick wickets and CBC were well in the match!

The Mc Williams innings continued with runs accumulating with shots all around the ground.

Again he showed his consistency and retired on 35.

At the break the MNC were travelling well at 3/83, just one run ahead!

After the break the CBC captain, Tony Adnum, was fielding like a demon and, then, with some inspirational bowling changes,  brought the quick Ziehlke and offie, Steve Allan on to bowl.

Both bowled extremely accurately to bring the scoring rate back on level terms.

Further bowling changes ensued successfully, with either luck or inspiration involved, as Alex Rullis started to carve up the MNC team taking three well earned wickets, much to the delight of his team and the annoyance of his home association.

At the other end Kev Pike was bowling his doobie-dobblers accurately and after five overs had conceded only 11 runs.

With two overs to go MNC needed 11 runs to win. 

With Corcoran steaming in, MNC were still in good batting hands with stalwarts Dave Wilson and Jeff Perkins at the crease and both finding quick form.

The MNC boys scored eight runs in the penultimate over leaving three to win and one over to go!

Great excitement with a close finish likely. 

Pike sneakily bowled the first ball down leg side, then Perkins in quite masterly fashion went bang, bang – smashing his association secretary about and the match was over with a close and exciting contest enjoyed by everyone.

MNC winning score was 6/160 with four balls to spare.

It was great to see all round bowling and batting performances of both new chums, Chris Steinmetz and Bruce Wilson. Both scored 30 and both bowled well.

They will certainly be handy for future MNC selections.

Also, another ‘ne lad’, Mike Steinmetz, bowled well but didn’t get a bat.

After match player awards were presented to Alex Rullis, Kev Pike, Warren Mc Williams and Steve Allan.

CBC players all expressed their thanks to the MNC organisers and invited that team to a return match in Gladesville next season.

The MNC Vets Association has a number of players and others from further up the coast heading to the National 60s Carnival in Penrith this weekend.

On behalf of the committee and members of MNC Vets Cricket I would like to wish our Mid North Coast rep players the best of luck.

Our Reps include Barry Everingham for division one Blues, Bruce Jackson for division two Waratahs, Warren McWilliams for division three Kookaburras, David Relf for division three Kookaburras, Martin Dubler for division four Red Kangaroos and Alex Rullis for division four Grey Kangaroos.