Chris Dickson, a self-confessed sporting tragic, is playing cricket, baseball and rugby union at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games.
Monday 7 November 2016
By Pat McLeod
Chris Dickson admits to being a sporting tragic.
That’s why on Sunday at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games he swapped a baseball bat for a cricket bat before donning his rugby jersey.
“It was a busy day,” said Chris. “It started at 8am with the Senators (Canberra) baseball team. We didn’t go very well.
“But then at 1.10pm I was competing in the cricket (Super 8s) with Southport Labrador Tigers. We had a win there. Then at 4pm and 5.40pm I was a part of two wins with the Surfers Paradise Dolphins rugby team.”
Chris, 39, from the Gold Coast, was back out in the middle today (Monday) with the Tigers when they beat another local team, Gilly’s Gorillas, in the Super 8s.
“I retired from club cricket this year, but I just had to play in the masters games,” he said.
“It’s just a great event. Competitive enough, but a chance to have some fun with you mates.”
Southport Labrador have been the host club for cricket at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games since that sport was introduced to the games in 2008.
Club treasurer and Cricket Gold Coast president Dean Johnson said the Tigers were hungry to taste ultimate victory in the Super 8s.
“We won the first year, but have been runners-up a few times since so are very keen to take it out,” he said.
“The Logan Village team have taken the title almost every year … so no doubt will be hard to beat again.
“But whatever happens we will have a great time. That is what the masters is all about.”
Gilly’s Gorillas captain Matt Gill said the ‘social aspect’ of the masters games was one of the drivers behind the Gorillas entering for the first time this year.
“I think this is my fourth masters. Previously I played with Southport. It’s a lot of fun,” said the former policeman and now Gold Coast lawyer.
“It is a chance to relax with mates and really enjoy the social side of the game … but it’s still nice to win.”
The Super 8s competition – eight players per side with a maximum of 16 overs each innings – will continue through until Friday, 11 November, at the Southport Labrador Cricket Club, Arundel.
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games is being held 5 – 13 November, 2016, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The event showcases competition in 43 sports and is hosting 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
