Fast finish can’t save Pakenham Veterans

Greg Johnstone was Pakenham’s only multiple wicket-taker claiming 3/25 from five overs against Ringwood. Johnstone took two wickets in two balls and unluckily missed a hat-trick. 383518 Picture: SUPPLIED

PAKENHAM VETERANS

Pakenham Over 60s were thrilled to be playing for the first time this year when they hosted Ringwood on a glorious and sunny day at Toomuc Reserve.

Ringwood won the toss and decided to bat first on Sunday.

The openers, Wayne Hartley 31 (30) and Gary Paget 15 (30) had both retired before Pakenham took its first wicket in the 14th over with the score on 58.

Alan Reitman caught Brian L’ Anson off the bowling of Carl Muscat to take the first wicket of the day. But it was another 22 overs and 96 runs later before Pakenham claimed its next wicket.

Ian Jones 8 (23) was caught by Gerard Healy off the bowling of Greg Johnstone.

The following batters had already retired; Gerry Barnett 15 (30), Kevin Dunn 12 (27), Peter Clark 28 (26), Raymond Hartley 17 (25) and Andrew Mill 21 (23).

Ringwood had reached 168 by the last over which was bowled by Greg Johnstone, who took two wickets in two balls, both bowled…Robin Court 7 (9) and Trevor Barsenbach 0 (1).

Barry Jacquier 9 (12) was not out and after 40 overs Ringwood finished on 4 for 171.

Pakenham Bowling: Greg Johnstone 5-3/25, Carl Muscat 6-1/20, Les Jones 8-0/37, Phil Brook 5-0/18, Peter Ross 5-0/19, Alan Ross 4-0/20, Dallas Wyatt 2-0/14, Jim Gregory 5-0/17.

Needing just over four runs an over, Pakenham got off to a slow start losing Phil Brook 7 (11) caught by Andrew Mill off the bowling of Trevor Barsenbach in the 7th over when the score was 19.

Carl Muscat 12 (30) retired before Greg Johnstone 7 (18) was LBW to Robin Court.

The run rate had reached three an over by the 13th over when Pakenham lost their captain Peter Ross 3 (7) stumped by Wayne Hartley off the bowling of Peter Clark.

Dallas Wyatt 14 (30) then retired.

The run rate was still three, in the 22nd over, when the fourth wicket fell, with Gerard Healy 18 (29) bowled by Brian L’ Anson.

Alan Ross and Les Jones added 30 runs in seven overs before Jones 16 (22) was run out and Ross 17 (30) retired.

The score was 5 for 98 in 30th over.

In the remaining 10 overs, Alan Reitman 25 (26) and Guya Suriarchi 12 (29) took the score to 143 and were both not out.

Jim Gregory and John Moore were not required to bat.

Ringwood bowling: Trevor Barsenbach 5-1/10, Brian L’ Anson 7-1/17, Robin Court 7-1/17, Peter Clark 5-1/21, Barry Jacquier 5-0/18, Ian Jones 5-0/26, Gary Paget 3-0/13, Ray Hartley 3-0/13.

Although defeated by a stronger team, Pakenham at least had a game of cricket this week.

This week Pakenham plays South Gippsland at Outtrim.

-John Moore-