Game On Again at Belltrees

BEN McRae, president of the Belltrees Cricket Club admitted he may be a little biased but feels Belltrees will take out the annual cricket grudge match with Rouchel this year.

“This is the first charity day game where Rouchel and Belltrees are at the top of the ladder,” said Mr McRae.

“Rouchel is at the top and we are second and they do have the wood on us having won the last six games, but we feel we have a monkey we need to get off our back this year,” he said.

“It’s a cracking family day, you don’t need to be a cricket supporter to get into the day, there is a massive space for the kids to run around and there is plenty of shade, there are so many marquees and gazebos and heaps of trees, so all people need to bring is a blanket or a chair,” he said.

“All the farmers in the Upper Hunter are doing it really tough, so it is a great opportunity to have an afternoon to put it out of their minds and enjoy the social side of it.

“There are actually a few players who can’t make it this year, because they have to be hand feeding because of the drought,” Ben McRae said.

The charity for the second year running is the Where There’s A Will Foundation, which supports a range of mental wellbeing programs in the community.

Last year the match raised $34,000 and this year organisers hope to top that amount.

There will be a jumping castle, face painting, closest to the pin golf driving, raffles, chocolate wheels and auctions.

In this year’s auction there will be an Ellerston golf package up for bidding, a golf pack for four at Cypress Lakes, a scenic helicopter ride to your choice of destination in the Upper Hunter, four members tickets to a Randwick race day in the Vinerty Stud Suite and much more.

The event is strictly NO BYO with all proceeds from food and drinks going to the charity.

WHEN:

• 9am: First game: Belltrees v Warriors
• 12:30pm: Main game: Belltrees v Rouchel

WHERE:

• Belltrees Cricket Ground, Gundy Road, Belltrees.

Related stories:

• Bounce Back at Belltrees – February 21, 2017.
• New Innings for Where There’s A Will – January 17, 2017
• Grudge Yields Healthy Benefits – Feb 14, 2016