City Mayors Go In To Bat For Good Cause In Pitched Battle
Newcastle Herald
Saturday February 19, 2000
THEY know how to go with the gavel but do they know how to wield the willow?
Cessnock and Maitland ratepayers will soon find out when their mayors take to the crease tomorrow for a charity cricket match at Carmichael Park, Bellbird.
Maitland's Peter Blackmore and Cessnock's John Clarence will lead their teams in a 10-over battle to raise money for the Hunter Westpac rescue helicopter.
The action starts at 10am with two social games, one of which is the Cessnock Mayor's XI versus the Maitland Mayor's XI.
A second charity match of 20 overs will be held at 1pm followed by a special presentation at 4pm.
Special guest for the day will be Arthur Morris, a member of the Australian Test Team of the Century and former opening batsman.
Cr Clarence initiated the match after issuing a challenge to Cr Blackmore late last year.
He said his city had produced some of the country's greatest sportsmen and sportswomen and had a reputation no other local government area could surpass.
Cr Blackmore accepted the challenge and nominated some councillors and Maitland council staff as part of his squad.
He is confident of victory.
`Defeat is a word rarely used in Maitland,' Cr Blackmore said.
`Should by some miracle my team lose I will personally chauffeur John Clarence to a function in Cessnock, dressed appropriately.'
© 2000 Newcastle Herald