By Roy Weavers

The biggest cricket match that's ever come to Port Douglas lived up to all expectations.  The local community came out in force with estimates from the gate of between a two to three thousand crowd.

They were treated to a cracker of a match when the Bulls Masters won the toss and decided to bat first.  Their opening batters put on a display of big hitting that had the crowd on its feet.

Farrell and ex Queensland Captain Chris Simpson led the charge and put on an opening partnership of 165 before Simpson finally holed out off the bowler of day, Norths spinner Brendan Gallagher with fine catch being held at deep long on.

Another ex Queensland Captain Jimmy Maher steadied the ship despite the unexpected on field streak by super hero Spiderman which could  have broken their concentration.

Farrell however seemed unperturbed and continued to plunder the bowling. He was finally bowled for 66 but the damage was done for a monster score for the CFN Invitational side to chase.

Wendell Sailor was full of expectation but unfortunately a mix up with Maher saw the Rugby legend back in the clubhouse after just three balls faced.

Aussie legend Greg Ritchie showed no signs of having lost any of his hayday class as he pushed the score along despite his reluctance to take too many short singles.  He was there at the end of the innings looking untroubled.

Although Matthew Hayden couldn't stay on to play in the match it seemed for just one minute that his best mate Andrew Symons had saved the day but on further examination it turned out to be another crazy trying to steel the limelight from the real superstars.

This on field infringement was one invasion too many for the local constabulary and the perpetrator (who's name should remain anonymous, Buddha) was taken off to cool his heels for a well earned rest at the well known Wharf Street hotel adjacent to Anzac park.  He was the biggest planker seen on the day!

So the target was set at the end of the Bulls Masters 20 overs.  A total of 240 was needed for victory by the CFN Invitational XI and with paceman Michael Kasprowicz opening the bowling the task looked a formidable one.

The job was made no easier with the loss of an early wicket.  It came about in a similar mix up to the one that saw the demize of Wendell Sailor in the Bulls innings but this time it left The Cairns side on 1 for 4 after just two overs.

Mossman born Stephen Porta from the United Club in Cairns came to the crease and did well against some fierce bowling before falling LBW (he was robbed!) to a ball that kept low with the score on 20.

Gallagher and Atherton's Fred Pittorino then took on the challenge and were looking set to push the Bulls all the way when the unlucky Gallagher fell with the score at around 4 for 80.

Fred Pittorino will no doubt remember his innings, as will the crowd who saw him hit Allan Border for three sixes in one over during his half century.  'AB' finally got his revenge when Fred mistimed one pull shot too many attempting a fourth six and was caught just inside the boundary rope by Kasprowicz.

No doubt Wicketkeeper Ian Healy had something to do with the wicket, probably urging Fred to take one risk too many as he did to many test class opposition batters in his glory days of sledging from behind the stumps.

Wendell Sailor was given the ball late in proceedings to show us his class bowling two excellent overs at the end.  He made up for his earlier disappointment with one superb wicket and would have had two more wickets but for difficult boundary catches being dropped in the deep.

The CFN invitational XI fell well short of the Bulls massive total but their spirit was never broken.  They put on a fighting performance right to the end and will no doubt have learnt a lot from these superstars of yesteryear.

Our own Ben Vikionkorpi or Mr V as his Mossman School students call him will certainly 'treasure' the day that ex Queensland skipper Chris Simpson hit him for five sixes in one over.  When asked how he felt after that treatment he generously smiled "It gave the crowd some entertainment didn't it".  Yes, it certainly did as did the rest of the day.

So congratulations must go to the Douglas Cricket Association, both Junior and senior sections or the Muddies as we all know them, for putting on a superb show.

The Crowds came in their thousands and spent their money on the excellent food, beverages and merchandise that were provided by the army of volunteers.  The funds raised will ensure the local sporting clubs and the selected charities will all benefit well from the day.

Final figures will no doubt be published for the monies raised for the various charities but we do know that the Flying Doctor Service benefitted by almost $2,000 on the day.

The Bulls Masters were more than happy to be available throughout the day for autographs and interviews and there were plenty of runs for the crowds to enjoy.  These invitational celebrity matches sponsored by Queensland Rail have been on trial around the regions all year to see where they are most successful and whether they can become an annual event.

Let's hope Allan Borders statement at the end of the game holds true when he said, "We've thoroughly enjoyed our time in Port Douglas, we love the place and the people and we'll definitely be back".

See you next year 'AB'....Go the Muddies!