With the May Day long weekend comes the return of nearly 200 enthusiastic cricketers to Butler Park for the 5th Annual Herbert River Cricket Associations “Hinchinbrook Hotel” Over40T20 Challenge.
Originally the brain wave of Greg Erkkila the competition has gone from strength to strength, only last year receiving the honour of being voted community event of the year. This year Kyle Chiesa and Jessy-Mae Smith have taken over the challenges reins and the competition has never looked better.
Once again 10 teams in two divisions have made the contest with games all day today and Sunday with the winners being announced after the last games on Sunday. Lions Club are suppling the food from 7am for the weekend (check out the chicken wraps) with a licensed bar to 7pm on both nights.
Also returning are Vic Williams and Terry Oliver, professional coaches who have worked with some of the best around and are bringing their Heat Junior Coaching Clinic to town on Sunday morning. The Over40 committee are helping sponsor this tour paying 50% of the costs for Herbert River Juniors and Colts to participate in this training. There still are a couple of spots remaining.
With last year’s competition seeing several ladies take to the field this year it isn’t all about the blokes either. One lady who will remain nameless even showed up her other half with better batting and bowling figures. So this year the main event at the earlier time of 11am on Saturday will see the Herbert River Angry Ladies challenge the Herbert River Colts. Both teams have a number of Queensland Representative Players and no quarter will be given. Expect a fiery clash with bragging rights for the next 12 months on the line. Be warned this game may result in broken homes as some families may never be the same.
While the main game is going all our Over40 sponsors have been invited to watch and come and have a drink and a feed on us. By now you would have all received your tickets to this wonderful event and it is a chance to not only watch some great cricket but get something back for all your fantastic support. If you didn’t receive your tickets don’t worry you can get them on the day.
Other events include Herbert Rivers own Michael Kauppila who will not only be singing the national anthem for the main game but will be entertaining the crowd after the games today. There is also a courtesy bus to the Hinchinbrook Hotel in the evening to continue the party. This is the Hinchinbrook Hotel’s first year as the competitions main sponsor, so make sure you go and have a drink with Stuey and show him our support.
Sunday continues the fun with three more rounds of Over40 Cricket followed by the award presentations which include Players of the carnival, best batter and bowler and “Britto’s award of excellence”. While the dust (and the thirst) settles Darryl Rooker is back with his own version of the Hunger Games. This year the Over40’s are having a six bashing competition while the Under40’s will be having a catching competition which will be very entertaining.
There is another monster raffle including a $1000 first prize of a Helicopter Tour which will be drawn Sunday evening. Sunday evening will also see Kyle Chiesa shaving his hair off for charity, so make sure you drop some money at the front entrance in his tin.