The HRCA “Hinchinbrook Hotel” Over40T20 Challenge is over for another year and you couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Vintage winning the A Grade competition and after a recount 40 Shades of Grey won the B Grade and in the main game on Saturday the Herbert River Colts won against the Herbert River Angry Ladies.
After a few introductory refreshments at the Hinchinbrook Hotel for Friday’s “Meet’n’Greet” it was down to the serious stuff on Saturday. With Lions Club supplying the breakfast, 10 teams took to the fields for the honour of holding the shields aloft in victory. Vintage and 40 Shades of Grey the only teams at the end of Day One to remain undefeated.
The main game Saturday not only saw the Herbert River Colts playing the Herbert River Angry Ladies but it was also a chance for all our Sponsors and Supporters to relax and enjoy the spectacle with the HRCA “Hinchinbrook Hotel” Over40T20 Challenge fully catering the match with some fantastic food from Wild Local Prawns, JK’s Deli and Subway followed by an abundance of cool refreshments.
A soaring rendition of Advance Australia Fair by Michael Kauppila preluded the Herbert River Colts batting first with Matthew Vella (54no) making the majority of the runs before retiring with Kurt Vettoretto (22no) also contributing to the run rate. The Herbert River Colts making 120 off their 20 Overs.
The Herbert River Angry Ladies responded strongly with Steph Morgan (22) topping the scorebooks and Glynis Romano entertaining the crowd with a massive six into the clubhouse fence. The Herbert River Colts prevailed in the end with the Colts sharing the wickets. Matthew Vella won the Colts player of the match with Steph Morgan winning the award for the Angry Ladies.
After the games on Saturday Michael Kauppila returned with some smooth vocals performing for the crowd before the courtesy coach transported everyone to the Hinchinbrook Hotel to finish the night out in style.
Sunday morning was upon us in a blink of an eye and due to previous experiences most players weren’t in to bad a shape. Sure there was a seemingly endless supply of ice packs and Jeanine our physio for the weekend was very busy (Thank you Jeanine) but all in all not to painful.
By the final game 40 Shades of Grey and Vintage were still undefeated but could still potential stumble in the final match, so close was the competition this year. Eventually though both teams held aloft the coveted prize joining Dolphin Oldies as the only teams to win the competition twice. Forty Shades winning the B pool back in 2016 and Vintage (White) winning the inaugural challenge in 2014. Last year’s winners in B grade Gettin’ Stiff had to settle for runner up this year while Plumbdingers came second in the A grade competition.
With the cricket over for another year it was time to hand out some goodies. Performance awards for A grade went to Michael Grazioli (112 runs) for batsmen of the carnival with Michael Carrara (11 wickets) bowler of the carnival and Michael Hoyle (160 runs and 3 wickets) all-rounder of the carnival. B Grade’s award were a closer decision with Carlos Gonzalez (110 runs) best batsmen, Frank Smallwood (5 wickets) best bowler and Adam Douglas (5 wickets & 79 runs) best all-rounder. While Jason Woods scored a prize for a hat trick (3 balls 3 wickets) and Hidden Talent Captain Rob Shegog won himself a carton of beer for hitting the sign on top of the clubhouse with a huge six.
Britto’s Award of Awesomeness, the Alan Border medal of Ingham Cricket was won by a deserving Jessy-Mae Smith who with her partner Kyle Chiesa took over the reins of the Challenge this year and everyone agreed did a magnificent job. Speaking of Kyle Chiesa, he raised over $1200 for the “shave for a cure” and is sporting a freshly cut bald head, along with a baby faced Paul Britton who shaved his beard. Someone’s going to get ID checked next time he’s at the ‘Brook.
In the raffles the Scenic Helicopter flight donated by Zest Financial and worth $1000 was won by Wayne Blanco, Michael Bain won the signed Jeff Thomson playing shirt. Michael Fortini won the Ingham Motorcycles & Mowers $300 Leaf Blower with Mrs Woods winning $200 store credit at Ace Computers. The $100 Mitre 10 voucher was won by Renzo Romano and Alan Kehl won the PartyTime $100 voucher.
After a few more cold beverages it was again off to the Hinchinbrook Hotel where I have no doubt the festivities continued late into the night. Everyone had a great time and a big thank you has to go out to Kyle Chiesa, Jessy-Mae Smith, Paul Britton and the hundreds of other volunteers, sponsors, players and especially spectators that make this event possible. Check out our Facebook Page for more photos. See you next year.
