Gold Coast Indoor Sport’s Brett and Lauren Clarke oversee finals action at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters indoor cricket competition. Photo: Pat McLeod
Saturday 12 November 2016
By Pat McLeod
What they lack in numbers the indoor cricketers at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG) certainly make up for in passion.
“If you want to typify what the masters games is all about, then come to the indoor cricket,” says Brett Clarke, part owner of Gold Coast Indoor Sport, Ashmore, who again is hosting indoor cricket at the JPPMG.
“For example, there is one player here who just handed me $200 to shout every player who plays today a drink.”
There is no doubting the indoor cricketers’ enthusiasm. An eruption of applause and playful banter could be heard well before you walked inside the venue today, finals day.
In the bronze medal game, the Bracken Ridge (Brisbane) Bulls stormed home for their first win of the tournament to clinch third place ahead of local team, the Gold Coast Cyclones, 130 – 97.
While in the gold medal showdown the Toowoomba Thirsty Old Dragons were too strong for the Pitch Raiders (from Gold Coast and Beenleigh), taking the title 124 runs to 93.
“What has been a highlight of this tournament has been the closeness of almost every game,” Brett said.
“So many games have not just come down to the last over, but the last ball as well.”
Brett normally plays hockey in the masters, but has been sidelined with injury, however wife Lauren dropped in for a quick glance at the indoor cricket finals action today before heading off to Murwillumbah to play for the KPCU Hornets against Sass Fit in a gold medal hockey showdown.
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.
