Cricket at Jingellic NSW

With the mercury hovering in the mid 40's on Saturday, one can understand how much we were all looking forward to our annual Upper Murray Cricket Challenge on Sunday...

Early start from Wagga with a stop in Holbrook for ice at the servo. Out through Lankey's Creek and into Jingellic. We play on the Showground at Jingellic and were impressed to find the groundkeeper had left the sprinkler on overnight, making sure there was a nice puddle at mid-wicket for us to play in...

Our team is made up of faded has-beens from Wagga and we play against a team from the Upper Murray; farmers, business men and graziers from all over Walwa, Tumbarumba and Jingellic.

The relentless heat had even taken its toll on the majestic plane trees around the Oval and there were piles of dead leaves that made it look more like autumn.

Jingellic were the winners; 220 to 197, but we had a wonderful day. I made 35, my highest score for almost 5 seasons, and also got 2 wickets and a catch in the outfield! The highlight was Mr D who chased a ball in the outfield, only to lose it in a mound of leaves. He scratched around like a deranged chook for a while before finding the ball. We thought he should let the batsmen run ten and then find it and kick it over the bounday and signal four...

During the afternoon, a smokey haze descended over the valley, a grim reminder of the fires that were ravaging parts of Victoria even as we were playing.

After a hot day chasing leather, we all adjourned to the beautiful reserve behind the Bridge Hotel for a well deserved swim, then ales on the verandah of the Pub.

Jingellic is a great little place and I can recommend the reserve for some free river-side camping.