THE COOPER FINLAY CUP - named after Lew Cooper of Queensland and Kevin Finlay of NSW

 The Cooper Finlay Cup (CFC)

 NSW VS QLD VETERANS CRICKETERS 

MARCH 2021 AT TAMWORTH (60s), QUIRINDI (70s) AND GUNNEDAH (50s)

Despite inclement weather the previous week, when all the Riverside Ovals were unable to be worked on, and a potential threat of exposure to the Covid virus (UK strain) due a breakout in Brisbane, the tournament went ahead at the 3 venues above.

The concept was initially to have a large group of the 3 age groups all gathered in one place but the tyranny of an hour’s driving from each location meant that this never happened; a pity but understandable. With 5 teams from 50s, 6 from 60s with only 6 qualifying and 3 from 70s the games on Monday 29th March were keenly contested, which included tow day night games with overs split so each team got to experience the wonders of batting under lights with a white ball. In Tamworth, this has been executed a fair amount this summer and it has been very successful. All the other teams who had completed their games, tureen up for a BBQ and watched the evening session, which was quite enthralling. Queensland Country, despite being ahead at the break (25 overs), succumbed to some tight bowling and great catching by the NSW 1st team and that finalised the day, and (as it turned out) the tournament, with NSW wining 11 games to 1 (the NSW 50s 2nd team in Gunnedah).

Sadly, the NSW Health department issued an advisory that anyone from Brisbane was to self-isolate for 3 days or go home and concerns over a longer lockdown in Brisbane probably tipped the scales and a decision at Cricket House the following morning meant that only 14 or so QLDrs wanted to stay on and have a game at the Number 1 Oval. So a disappointing end to another tournament that had taken so long in the making, but there were some great positives, in that the organisation was excellent, the weather even better and the camaraderie at it’s foremost. The Meet and Greet at Wests was as normal, the Mayor and the local MP so welcoming. 

All the 50s went home and an inter NSW game was held for the 70s on a tricky wicket in Quirindi.

With inter NSW matches going on during the Tuesday and most staying, the finale at Cricket House with the arrival of Kevin Finlay, he of Cooper Finlay fame, and another well managed BBQ, the speeches to close the event included Kevin Finlay who told the gathered audience the origins of the Trophy with Lew Cooper (sadly passed last year) were spot on, and Greg Kellett was presented his Baggy Blue Cap for the NSW 1st X1, amid some tears.

Usual thanks were announced to all who made it all so easy in Tamworth especially Grahame and Gail Davies.

Lot’s of new faces, who seemed all to fit in, and some discussion about the size of the event, especially the numbers of teams, which added a slight dislocation due to the venues being so far apart. From what I have heard there was general satisfaction at both bush venues, albeit some grumbling about the slowness of the decks but then what can be expected when so much rain had fallen the prior week.

NSW got a chance to view the new young lads in 60s, in readiness for the Nationals in the Sunshine Coast in September, so from our view it was a success.

We will be tabling a proposal for future CFC’s in the coming week while it is fresh in our mind.

Our thanks for the QVC for taking the bold step in crossing our borders and for the fabulous spirit in which the tournament was played.

We look forward to the usual amazing hospitality that is afforded to NSW in the Nationals and the CFC in the Gold Coast next March.

Simon Lyon
President, Veterans Cricket NSW
3rd April 2021 

Footnote: One other QLD vs NSW event went ahead on the Wednesday with Mark Brady and Ken McGrogan teaming up against Peter Jensen and Simon Lyon in a golf match at Longyard off the Goonoo Goonoo Road, with Greg Kellett and Rod van Beek following up the rear. I am sad to report that we went down 4 & 3 in match play and that a certain QLD player will have a serious review of his handicap in September at our return match! No names, of course but a regular Facebook updater! He caught this fish this time, but let’s see what his reel is like next time!