David Boon made a return to the crease yesterday for the Launceston Cricket Club legends but his side was no match for the current players of the club.

Boon scored 45 in a match to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Launceston Cricket Club, the second oldest cricket club in Australia. The social match was played despite wet and windy conditions at East Launceston Primary School.

While Boon topscored in the innings of 129, old mates Peter Faulkner, Wayne Squires and Mick Davey were the only other batsmen who could manage double figures.

The youth of the club clearly upstaged the legends and after winning the toss sent the legends in. All-rounder Anthony Rist took 4-22 and promising medium pacer Xavier Doherty took 4-25. Retiring veteran Paul McShane took 1-12.

Chasing 130, the current players cruised to victory, losing only six wickets. After playing a bit of cricket in England, the dynamic Chris Bassano hit 36 to topscore. Travis Little made 30, wicketkeeper McDermott notched up 25 to be the other two prominent players in the innings. Rist hit 13 to end a fine all-round match for himself.

Squires backed up his first innings 19 by taking 2-5 for the legends, while Derek Baker took 2-27. Faulkner also took a wicket.

The Launceston Cricket Club president Garry Clayton hinted at the match being played on a more regular basis. He also pointed out the strength of the development program with four of the legends' players being part of the club's under-13 development teams.

To cap off the festivities 100 people attended a dinner at the Launceston Cricket Club last night.

© Thomas Rose