With this coming weekend's NSW Veterans' 50s Championships in Orange ahead of them, one of the local sides had a beaut win last weekend.
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The northern part of the Mid North Coast is represented by The Marlins in the new 50s Doug Walters Cup competition and a squad travelled to play Newcastle's Lord Taverners at Toronto.
In what was described as a top batting effort by most batsmen on a very difficult wicket - "where the ball jumped up around your ears at one end and skidded through ankle height the other end" - the Marlins had a number of batsmen apply themselves well and battle some good bowling by the home side to set a very competitive total.
After a fantastic start to be just one wicket down at drinks and with Tony Bransdon already in the retirement bank with 31 off 43 balls, the visitors were looking good.
With third batsman Graeme Morley also retired just after drinks with a well compiled 30 off 44 balls, the scene was set for the rest to follow suit and a number did.
Notable contributions with the stick included skipper Gordy Scott 20 off 27, Greg Hall 22 off 23, Warren Preston 27 off 23, Glen O'Brien 12 off 16 and new guy Scott Mallyon 19 off just six, for a formidable total of 7/191 off their 40 overs.
The Taverner bowlers stuck to the task and shared the wickets with NSW State Rep, Neil Brooks, showing good form with the ball to snare 2/17 off seven and lead the way.
Once they had the ball, the visitors from up the coast applied themselves well, with all the bowlers hitting good lines on the up and down wicket.
The Tavs were behind the eight ball after only getting to 41 after their first 20 overs, and while only having lost one wicket, the run rate was going to be tough on the deck.
Marlins' openers Gary Rowe (0/4 off five) and Scott Mallyon (0/10 off five) had certainly done their job and the rest of the bowling group followed suit.
Troy Highlands 0/17 (5) and Warren Preston 0/5 (4) made it more difficult early on and the Taverners went to drinks at 1/41 with the one wicket a great run-out.
After drinks another great run-out hurt them further but it was Mick "Bomber" Thomas who had them in all sorts of trouble with 3/17 (3) as he decimated the middle order.
He was backed up by Dom Ashe 0/26 (6), Mick Connelly 1/19 (5), Tony Bransdon 0/8 (3), Glen O'Brien 0/2 (2) and after a lot of pestering to skipper Scott, Greg Hall - who had a flattering 0/4 off 2.
He later claimed it could have been one less if the umpire didn't call a no ball, having done so "just because it bounced three times before it reached the batsman," complained the erstwhile wicketkeeper.
Tony Bransdon won yet another Man of the Match Award to continue his excellent season.
Skipper Scott was thrilled with the good team effort, and with eight of the conquering squad heading to Orange, it was a solid workout.
The Newcastle Lord Taverners will also make their way to join 24 teams in three divisions as the Vets' events across Australia pull more players and opportunities for those cricket tragics in a range of age groups.
Mid North Coast have their Marlins playing in Division 1 with a tough first encounter with reigning champions, Port Jackson, but they are ready to have a crack.
After a good early-season win over the strong Central Coast Thunder, they've had a couple of losses before this weekend's strong win.
They have a number of players from the northern area around Port Macquarie and Wauchope, with newcomers on the coast from Sydney adding to the squad's strength.
A number of the squad still play grade with local sides and there is a wealth of experience and all-round talent, to be guided by former Premier League player Gordon Scott.
The Mid North Coast Mudskippers will play in Division 3 after finishing mid-table in Division 2 last year.
They are keen to give a good account of themselves, with a number of new players to the arena representing the area for the first time.
They are two and two in the Doug Walters Cup after good wins against both Newcastle sides.
They look like playing the Newcastle Taverners first up in what should be a hard-fought battle, with the Muddies having had a close win at Gloucester earlier in the season.
Best wishes goes to all players in all teams as they fly the flag for their towns or regions in what will be an exciting event for all.
Squads
Mid North Coast Marlins (Division 1): Dom Ashe, Glenn O'Brien, Tony Bransdon, Gordon Scott(c), Michael Connolly, Greg Hall, Glenn Kemp, Greg Boyer, Graeme Morley, Warren Preston, Brad Christensen, Fugur Huseyin.
Mid North Coast Mudskippers (Division Three): Brett Jones,Wade Whitley, Rob Lamb, Brian Holstein, Mick Simpson, Darren McCudden, Mark Barrett, Tim Bramble, Al Andrews, Barry Everingham, Gav Gillard, Martin Dubler.
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