Recently selected in a NSW ladies' over 40s rep squad, Karen McWilliams joined her dad Warren to top up the side in a replay of recent clashes between the neighbouring clubs.

Coffs had gone to the final of the early season Gloucester tournament over MNC after losing less wickets in a tie and then backed it up with a heart-stopping three-run win over them in their last match at Maitland .

Stand-in captain Kevin Pike won the toss and sent the Coffs team in, only to realise there was none of the usual keepers in the squad.

So he led from the front and found the gloves in a commendable show of just how adaptable veteran cricketers must be.

With cool determination, opening bowlers John Corcoran and Peter Morris ripped into the home side, both getting some lively pace off a slowish Sawtell wicket.

Coffs openers Mackie and Goreham were watchful, with Mackie first to go, caught by Pete Ninness at mid- off in Corcoran's third over.

With the Coffs batting line-up always competitive, the next period saw them consolidate slowly against accurate bowling from all the MNC bowlers.

Leahy (13), Crossland (9), Newland (26), Herbert (10) and Hunter (15) all reached their retirement target of 30 balls.

The low scores were indicative of one of the best MNC bowling efforts for some time with change bowlers, leggy Peter Ninness and tearaway Chris Steinmetz, taking up the challenge in keeping the batsmen to below three runs an over.

In the final 20 overs, Corcoran took on the wicket-keeping role, so becoming one of the tallest ever to do so, whilst skipper Pike bowled tightly in his best spell this year (5 overs 0/17).

The ever reliable Warren McWilliams with 2/10 from seven overs was on fire and Coffs were well restrained.

At the death, both Morris (six overs, 0/15) and Steinmetz (seven overs, 0/22) were magnificent and the Coffs innings closed four wickets for 115 on what was a difficult wicket to score on.

As usual with the spirit of cricket in the vets' scene, MNC was thankful for the generosity of the Coffs team in providing 2 fieldsmen throughout the innings. A huge effort considering they too were recovering from a tough state championships.

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McWilliams and Morris opened the innings for MNC with some confident stroke-play from Morris.

Unusually, McWilliams was the first to go with one that held up but Morris continued on and at his 30 balls, was retired on 26 with five boundaries.

Corcoran and Steinmetz both got starts before NSW veterans' rep bowlers Mackie and Herbert turned the screws and the battle for runs was on.

The lowish scores and run rate was not just indicative of the slow wicket but also the great bowling by both, who, apart from one over each, bowled their other 11 overs for just 11 runs.

Partnerships followed between Ninness (11) and Karen McWilliams (14), who impressed with her deft placements and quick running between the wickets.

Opener Pete Morris then stepped back in and faced two balls with his usual 'bang bang' confidence, dispatching the ball to the required boundaries and the match was over, his fine 34 not out seeing him earn the man of the match.

Gallantly, Morris presented his Margaret River wine to Karen McWilliams for her fine efforts and everyone again congratulated her on her selection for the new vets' women's comp.

For Coffs, wicket-takers were Bruce Mackie (2/12 and Coffs' MOM), McDonnell (1/16) and Brett Goreham (1/19).

After 32 overs, MNC had won back the local derby trophy with an innings score of 4/117.

A pleasing sidelight for both sides was seeing their popular and charismatic mate, John Lambert, in the spectators stand and slowly getting over his recent car accident injuries.

John was badly injured and missed the State Championships and is fighting time to try and be fit to play in the NSW 70s squad he's been selected in for the Australian Championships in Albury.

Both sides will now prepare for their next matches in the annual inter-regional comp, with MNC having their "Inland Tour" of Quirindi, Tamworth and Armidale to look forward to.

In addition, a number from both squads will be travelling to Adelaide next weekend to represent NSW in the National 60s Championships.

Age shall indeed weary them but they will keep on.

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