Richo’s XI and Vaughan’s XI fight it out last Sunday on the cricket pitch – before donating a car to the Centre for the Protection of Children. Inset – cricket in Vung Tau in 1967.

Last Sunday, 19 August, 2012, Richo’s XI from Queensland played a game of cricket against Vaughan’s South East Asian Invitational XI at the Vung Tau Greyhound Racing Track (same venue as the Swannies’ ANZAC Friendship Match).

The purpose of the match, played in great spirit between the two teams, was to honour Australian servicemen and women (see attached article, Richos Cricket team will tour to play matches, raise funds). For the record, the match was won by Richo’s XI.

After the game, the two teams returned to Tommy’s Bar (a sponsor of the Vietnam Swans) where Richo presented My Huong, Director of the Centre for the Protection of Children in Vung Tau and Long Hai, with a new 7 seat car to help transport the kids! An extremely generous gesture by the cricketers that was very gratefully received by an, understandably, emotional My Huong.

Special thanks: The inset photograph of a cricket match being played at the Vung Tau back beach in 1967 was supplied by Vietnam Football League historian, Stan Middleton. Stan adds,

“Our cement cricket pitch was laid by the women labourers in our camp. We had a distinct home ground advantage against other units as we had the only cricket pitch! Whilst I was there we never lost a game…”

Unfortunately, Stan’s Essendon Bombers aren’t travelling as well as his 1967 cricketing form after being smashed by Carlton last weekend. But, it’s not all bad: “At least I enjoyed watching Collingwood lose against North!”