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About Me

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

https://www.randwickpetershamcricket.com.au/
Sydney, Australia
The heart and soul of Randwick Petersham Cricket resides in the history of four separate Sydney Grade clubs – Petersham, Randwick, Marrickville and Petersham-Marrickville. The collective lifespan of those founding clubs together with the 21 years of Randwick Petersham to 2022 amounts to 264 playing years giving Randwick Petersham an undeniable claim to be the oldest cricket club in the world.

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My Activity

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Q: Saturday 16 November 2024 will go down as one of the most historic days in the 24 years of Randwick Petersham Cricket–and maybe in the 131 years of Sydney Grade/NSW Premier Cricket. It was a day when not one, but two bowlers took 10 wickets in a grade match. And both were just 18 years of age—one on debut in 2nd Grade and the other in 5th Grade in his debut season.

Etched into the history books will be the names of Kaden Warner and Atharv Ramakanth

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Saturday 16 November 2024 will go down as one of the most historic days in the 24 years of Randwick Petersham Cricket–and maybe in the 131 years of Sydney Grade/NSW Premier Cricket. It was a day ...
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Q: 824 runs….18 wickets….197 overs….no points - Randwick Petersham v St George 2010-11

It was round 12 of the 2010-11 season and the Saturday/Sunday weekend clash was between Randwick Petersham and St George at Coogee Oval. The Randy Petes were 1st Grade competition leaders while Saints were in front in the Club Championship. A win to the locals would maintain their competition lead and put them ahead of the Hurstville boys in the Club Championship. It was going to be a close match.

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It was round 12 of the 2010-11 season and the Saturday/Sunday weekend clash was between Randwick Petersham and St George at Coogee Oval. The Randy Petes were 1st Grade competition leaders while Sai ...
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Q: Led by Graham Howlett, Petersham-Marrickville won the 1961-62 under 21 years Poidevin-Gray competition for the second time in 11 years. The side contained many players who would form the nucleus of the club’s future 1st XI. Contrary to the team’s form the previous season when it failed to win a match, in a major turnaround, it won four of the five rounds to head the Southern Division with almost the same side.

Alan Staunton was the star with the bat hitting 209 runs with 94 in just 106 minutes against Cumberland his top score.

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Led by Graham Howlett, Petersham-Marrickville won the 1961-62 under 21 years Poidevin-Gray competition for the second time in 11 years. The side contained many players who would form the nucleus of ...
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Q: Randwick’s 1909-10 season was notable for reasons other than cricket. The 2nd Grade team ran foul of the NSW Cricket Association’s Grade Committee with damaging results. In an incident which strangely is not mentioned in any way in the club’s annual report of that season, an umpire reported adversely on the behaviour of certain unnamed players in the side.

It was reported in The Sydney Morning Herald of 22 February 1910 that umpire Mr. Newman, who stood in the match Randwick v North Sydney on 11 and 18 December 1909, was the subject of “insinuating remarks” and continued “harping” from the whole of the Randwick team (except the captain Charles Patrick) during the remainder of the match after he had given a batsman out.

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Randwick’s 1909-10 season was notable for reasons other than cricket. The 2nd Grade team ran foul of the NSW Cricket Association’s Grade Committee with damaging results. In an incident which st ...
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Q: The greatest father-son combination in the history of the old Randwick club was Stan and Rhys Banwell. And while they played in different eras and never played together, the contribution each made to Randwick over an extended period, emphasised their ability as highly talented and at times, brilliant cricketers.

Stanley Joseph Banwell was born at Broken Hill on 3 December 1932. That was also the day Australia’s Stanley Joseph McCabe made 187* against Harold Larwood and England at the SCG. It was therefore no co-incidence baby Banwell should bear the name, Stanley Joseph. There had always been cricket blood in the Banwell family with Stan’s father, Jesse James Banwell, a 2nd Grade cricketer with St George.

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The greatest father-son combination in the history of the old Randwick club was Stan and Rhys Banwell. And while they played in different eras and never played together, the contribution each made ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Legends Society member and former Randwick cricketer, Todd Greenberg, has been appointed CEO of Cricket Australia. Todd brings a wealth of sports experience and administration talent to the role. A former CEO of Canterbury Bulldogs and the NRL, he is currently CEO of the Australian Cricketer’s Association. It is a fantastic appointment by Cricket Australia and one welcomed by everyone who knows him. He will replace Nick Hockley who will vacate the role at the end of March 2025.

Todd joined Randwick as a 16-year-old in 1987-88 as a 5th Grade right-arm medium pacer. Two seasons later, he had switched his focus to his left-hand batting, bringing up his maiden century with 129* in 4ths.

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Randwick Petersham Legends Society member and former Randwick cricketer, Todd Greenberg, has been appointed CEO of Cricket Australia. Todd brings a wealth of sports experience and administration ta ...
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Q: The Oxenham Shield annual cricket matches between neighbouring boroughs, Randwick and Waverley, were first played in 1883. Some 12 years later in 1895, Humphrey Oxenham, a 41-year-old bookmaker and gambler, presented a handsome trophy for competition between the boroughs. A colourful character, as a youth, Oxenham won a bet of £100 to one shilling that he could ride the two miles (3.2 km) between Bathurst and Kelso within a certain time—with a pumpkin on his head.

The trophy was presented at a public meeting on 14 December 1895 presided over by the Waverley mayor. The arrangements for the competition were established for the first match scheduled for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at Waverley Oval.

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The Oxenham Shield annual cricket matches between neighbouring boroughs, Randwick and Waverley, were first played in 1883. Some 12 years later in 1895, Humphrey Oxenham, a 41-year-old bookmaker and ...
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Q: Billy Ellison joined Randwick as an 18 year old in 1931-32. A left-arm over-the-wrist spinner and hard hitting batsman, he was to become Randwick’s most successful bowler with more than 1,000 wickets as well as one of the greatest of his type, ever to play Sydney Grade cricket.

Bill’s ability was apparent from his first season when he was the star of the “A” Shires team which won the competition, taking 38 wickets at 9.50 runs each. But for an appendicitis operation which cut short his season, he would have taken many more. In a remarkable transition, the very next summer of 1932-33, Ellison was in 1st Grade where he won the bowling average with 19 wickets at 13.05. He was to play the majority of his cricket in that team over the next 30 seasons.

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Billy Ellison joined Randwick as an 18 year old in 1931-32. A left-arm over-the-wrist spinner and hard hitting batsman, he was to become Randwick’s most successful bowler with more than 1,000 wic ...
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Q: Over 8,000 spectators had crammed into Marrickville Oval on Saturday 1 April 1944 for the clash between defending four-time premiers St George and the hopeful Marrickville First XI, attempting to win the 1st Grade competition for the first time. Chasing Saints’ 9-150 declared, Wally Horne, listed at no. 7, came in to bat with the score a shaky 5-115. He skied the second ball he received from the St George champion and Australian Test spin-bowler Bill O’Reilly but was dropped in a fielding mix-up

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Wally Horne had been something of an enigma for Marrickville. Prior to him joining the club in 1933-34 his intention to do so had been mentioned in glowing terms in the annual report of the previou ...
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Q: Cricket was first played in America in the 1700s with the first documented competition played in Manhattan in 1751. And while it continued to be played as an amateur sport for many years in certain parts of the country, Americans never played the game in great numbers. After the Civil War, baseball grew quickly in popularity while cricket declined.
In the early 1900s, a cricket team from Philadelphia toured England and while the game’s resurgence was short-lived, there was enough interest during the WWII years for a tour to be taken of Australia. A report on a match in Sydney in 1943 during that tour, appeared as follows in a local newspaper.
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Q: The 4th Annual Ken Devlin / Luke Grimmond Memorial Cup was played at Coogee Oval on Wednesday 30 October 2024. The match lived up to its predecessors with another enjoyable and close match. In attendance was Mrs Grimmond and her daughter, Peter Devlin and Michael Whitney.

Lead image - Presentations to Navy Captain Corey Evans by Mike Whitney, Peter Devlin and Tom Coady RPCCXI Capt.

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The 4th Annual Ken Devlin / Luke Grimmond Memorial Cup was played at Coogee Oval on Wednesday 30 October 2024. The match lived up to its predecessors with another enjoyable and close match. In atte ...
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Q: As part of Cricket Ireland’s ongoing relationship with Sydney-based Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, John McNally has been selected to take part in the International Cricket Programme and to play with the club during the 2024-25 season in Australia.

McNally has played for Ireland Under-19s Men and is currently playing 2nd grade for Randwick Petersham.

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As part of Cricket Ireland’s ongoing relationship with Sydney-based Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, John McNally has been selected to take part in the International Cricket Programme and to pla ...
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Q: Gordon Roy Asprey, who was born at Petersham on 23 August 1890 was commonly known by his middle name Roy, throughout his life. And while the Church of England railway clerk had a successful cricket career with Marrickville, he was a “late starter”, not joining the club until the 1911-12 season when he was 21.

A left-arm spin bowler, he began with a match in the Marrickville third team playing in the City and Suburban competition. Taking 1-22 at the bowling crease and hitting 32 with the bat, he was immediately promoted to the Second XI playing in the NSW Cricket Association’s 3rd Grade competition.

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Gordon Roy Asprey, who was born at Petersham on 23 August 1890 was commonly known by his middle name Roy, throughout his life. And while the Church of England railway clerk had a successful cricket ...
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Q: With the change in residential boundaries following Marrickville DCC’s admission to 1st Grade in 1921-22, a number of players were forced to change clubs. One of those was 22 year-old right-hand batsman and leg-break bowler, Allen Thatcher who had played the previous two seasons with Petersham 1st Grade. He had previously made his debut in the top grade with Western Suburbs when he was aged 19. He moved to the Marrickville club and was a member of its first 1st Grade team.

Born in Sydney on 17 April 1899, Allen Norman Thatcher had shown great promise as a cricketer at a young age. However when he was 17, he enlisted in the World War I effort and was posted to France where he was badly injured and gassed a year later. When he recovered, he played for a team of overseas cricketers against a strong Public Schools XI at Lord’s in 1918, taking 13 wickets for only 38 runs to emphasise his undoubted ability.

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With the change in residential boundaries following Marrickville DCC’s admission to 1st Grade in 1921-22, a number of players were forced to change clubs. One of those was 22 year-old ...
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Q: In Randwick’s booklet titled “Randwick Cricket-the First 100 Years” produced in 2000 to celebrate the club’s centenary, Randwick legend Phil Tresidder commented on Charlie McLaughlin who he classed as his favourite cricketer when he was a boy. Tresidder wrote: “Charlie was a super athlete and the fastest bowler I ever expected to see. Dark black hair, he raced in like an Olympic sprinter and with a flurry of arms hurled himself at the batsman. Unfortunately, accuracy and Charlie were comparative strangers. State selectors passed him by but the Coogee Beach ladies couldn’t hide their admiration.”

Charles John McLaughlin was born in 1919 and played junior cricket before joining Randwick. His introduction to the club, however, was far from traditional.

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In Randwick’s booklet titled “Randwick Cricket-the First 100 Years” produced in 2000 to celebrate the club’s centenary, Randwick legend Phil Tresidder commented on Charlie McLaughl ...
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Q: In its first 23 seasons, Randwick Petersham played many close and exciting matches. And while it will always be a matter of conjecture as to which was the best, a particular match in the 2002-03 season will always remain part of the discussion.

It was the round 10 clash with UTS Balmain at Drummoyne Oval on Saturday 11 January 2003. In extremely heavy, humid and almost eerie conditions, Randwick Petersham lost the toss and were sent in to bat on a pitch which could only be described as a “seamer’s delight”. And the “Tigers” had just the man to take advantage of the favourable conditions – the towering NSW and Australian left-arm fast bowler Nathan Bracken, who would soon after be described as the “best one-day international bowler in the world”.

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In its first 23 seasons, Randwick Petersham played many close and exciting matches. And while it will always be a matter of conjecture as to which was the best, a particular match in the 2002-03 se ...
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Q: The most influential man in the NSW Cricket Association between the two World Wars was Sydney Smith. By the time he turned 40 in 1920 he had held every senior post in the Association except the role of President which he was later to hold for 30 years.

He joined the Petersham club in 1901-02 and immediately assumed the role of Hon Secretary, holding the position for 15 years. When Smith joined it was a 2nd Grade club not being admitted to 1st Grade until 1907-08. It seems that such elevation was achieved largely through the efforts of the energetic and enterprising young Syd.

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The most influential man in the NSW Cricket Association between the two World Wars was Sydney Smith. By the time he turned 40 in 1920 he had held every senior post in the Association except the rol ...
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Q: Max Robinson is a top order batter who made his first grade debut for Randwick Petersham during the 2023-24 season.

Max is the vice captain of the Randwick Petersham Poidevin Gray under 21 team and in this Q&A he shares his own insights into his cricket and the club.

Meet Max Robinson is proudly sponsored by Mellick Wealth Management

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Max Robinson is a top order batter who made his first grade debut for Randwick Petersham during the 2023-24 season.Max is the vice captain of the Randwick Petersham Poidevin Gray under 21 te ...
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Q: In late March 2022 Richard Holdsworth approached the Club enquiring whether we could host Cricket Ireland again in the lead up to the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. Unlike 2015 this only provided 6 months to plan their 10 day stay. John Stewart immediately enlisted a committee to plan every minute detail to engage sponsors, organise accommodation and transport, ground preparation, advertising, catering, match days, opposition, and catering. Randwick Petersham’s gratitude is extended to Mike Whitney, Jeremy Jastrzab, Peter Devlin, Roy Robinson, Jo Robinson, Damian Sidney, Tom Holland, Chris Sullivan, Dale Hackney and E-Young Khoo, Jay Patel, Jaya Murdita, and Nick Saady assisting all the way from New York for their wonderful dedication to pull off this mammoth and successful undertaking in such a limited timeframe.

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In late March 2022 Richard Holdsworth approached the Club enquiring whether we could host Cricket Ireland again in the lead up to the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. U ...
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Q: AMY LARGE SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS – INNER WEST COUNCIL

In 2022, Club Photographer Peter Bannigan was one of thirteen Inner Wests residents to be awarded the Amy Large Senior Volunteer of the Year Award. For over a decade Peter has captured many significant moments and helped construct a pictorial history of the club. Peter is happy to travel across Sydney to photograph players in action. His dedication to this role has a strong positive effect on all club members and helps to build up the sense of community – he is an integral team player and supporter of others. Thank you, Peter, for your continued hard work and generosity.
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Q: The Randwick Petersham 1st Grade 10th wicket record partnership of 93, established in 2013-14 by Jake Scicluna and Jake Wilson, has stood for 14 years. And while both players shared the credit for that outstanding performance, the innings of Scicluna in particular, remains in the memory of many Coogee Oval old-timers as one of the best they had witnessed. The context of the game and the struggles of the 19-year-old leading up to that match added great weight to his performance.

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The Randwick Petersham 1st Grade 10th wicket record partnership of 93, established in 2013-14 by Jake Scicluna and Jake Wilson, has stood for 14 years. And while both play ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Cricket fielded its first 1st Grade team on 29 September 2001 just three months after Randwick and Petersham-Marrickville, two clubs with a century of tradition behind them, merged to form Sydney’s newest Grade Cricket Club. With the merger forcing a bye in the then 19 team 2001-02 competition, Randwick Petersham was permitted to take the bye in round one as part of its “settling”

The first team comprised eight players from the former Randwick club and three from Petersham-Marrickville. While both of the former clubs’ captains, Andrew Millican and Graham Doig were in the side, Paul Toole from Randwick was selected to be the captain of the new team.

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Randwick Petersham Cricket fielded its first 1st Grade team on 29 September 2001 just three months after Randwick and Petersham-Marrickville, two clubs with a century of tradition behind them, merg ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Cricket v Sydney – Poidevin Gray

After a disappointing opening day of the 2024-25 cricket season yesterday, with 1st Grade losing both of their Twenty20 matches, the club bounced back today with a great win in the under 21 Poidevin-Gray competition. And with a new club record to boot!

Playing Sydney CC at Petersham, the visitors were asked to bat first and were away to a good start getting to 3-82 off 15 overs. Seven bowlers had been tried and for the 24th over of the innings, the ball was thrown to Vansh Bhatia. A right-arm leg-spinner who ironically joined us from Sydney CC during the off-season, the youngster was in his first day out with his new club. And what a day out he had!

Over the following 13.3 overs, Sydney crashed from 3-107 to be all out for 163 with Vansh TAKING ALL SEVEN WICKETS IN SUCCESSION for figures of 7-35 off 7.3 overs. After having 3-28 off 3.2 overs, with 24 of those coming from 3 sixes and 2 fours, he took 4-7 off his final 25 balls to record figures which are the best-ever for the club in this competition. He had 5 caught, got one lbw then bowling the last. The previous best was 5-21 by Jamie Boettiger in 2005-06.

And the batters didn’t let him down as they chased down the target with a score of 4-164 in just 28 of the available 50 overs for a huge win. Zak Keogh remained 79* while another debutant, Angus Cornish, was also undefeated on 26*.

The boys play Northern District in a Twenty20 match at Coogee Oval NEXT SUNDAY at 9.30am with the 1st Grade T20, also against NDs, following at 2pm.

Lyall Gardner
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Q: Vale Rhys Banwell

It is my very sad duty to report the passing of Life Member, Rhys Banwell, at Coffs Harbour on Friday 13 September. Rhys had battled cancer over the past few years. He turned 65 only last Tuesday.

Rhys was a brilliant if not enigmatic cricketer. He played A W Green Shield for Randwick when he was aged 12, 13, 14 and 15. However, he didn’t make his Grade Cricket debut until he was 19, Despite his late arrival, he played a leading hand in Randwick winning the 4th Grade premiership that season after belting 83* in the dark, batting at no. 8 in the semi-final. He had another premiership the following season in 3rd Grade.

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It is my very sad duty to report the passing of Life Member, Rhys Banwell, at Coffs Harbour on Friday 13 September. Rhys had battled cancer over the past few years. He turned 65 only last Tuesday. ...
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Q: Petersham Park was proclaimed as a public park in 1887. It was originally located on land owned by William Charles Wentworth the famous Australian explorer, poet, journalist and politician. A creek flowed through the property while it was also used as a dairy farm in its early days.

In 1892 the ground was levelled and a sporting oval was laid out. A rotunda was erected in 1902 next to the oval and remains to the present day to the delight of the many brides who visit for photographs.

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Petersham Park was proclaimed as a public park in 1887. It was originally located on land owned by William Charles Wentworth the famous Australian explorer, poet, journalist and politician. A creek ...
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Q: Mr W E Forsyth, the Hon Secretary of the Petersham C.C., while playing with the Veteran team against Cintra C.C. at Norwood Park on Saturday, bowled the whole ten wickets in the course of 55 balls at a cost of only 15 runs. While not a unique performance, it is a very remarkable one in the fact of the wicket being hit in each instance. In one sense, however, there is no doubt that the feat is unique as Mr Forsyth has only one hand, his right arm ending above the wrist.

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Petersham District Cricket Club was admitted to the Sydney 1st Grade competition from the 1907-08 season. It was however, not granted 1st Grade status when created in 1899, being permitted to only ...
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Q: Two Randy Petes faced off in the match with Adam Semple representing NSW and Burt Cockley WA and Randy Petes Legend Bobby Barter as Room Attendant extraordinaire.

For Sempie the 2012-13 season was marked by his appointment as First Grade skipper and in his first match at the helm had a convincing win in the State Challenge Shield, with an inexperienced side after losing four first-class players from the previous season, over the country champions Illawarra at Kensington Oval. Adam went on to lead his young charges to wins in the first three matches bolstered by his own selection in the NSW Second XI team where he hit scores of 103* (on debut v WA), 73* and 56*. Burt had just made the shift to WA to continue his First Class career with the Warriors.

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Two Randy Petes faced off in the match with Adam Semple representing NSW and Burt Cockley WA and Randy Petes Legend Bobby Barter as Room Attendant extraordinaire.For Sempie the 2012-13 seaso ...
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Q: Randwick Cricket Club Gradings for the 1998-99 season - Sydney Cricket Association
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Q: Randwick Petersham is fortunate to have had so many dedicated and capable founding fathers. Petersham had Sydney Smith (60+ years), Randwick had Os Taylor (60+ years), Petersham-Marrickville had Dudley Seddon (60+) and Jack Ross (55) while Marrickville had Bert Bicknell, who was such a dedicated clubman, he virtually lived for the club in the latter part of his life.

Burbury Herbert “Bert” Bicknell originally played for Petersham joining that club in 1912-13 aged 25. He was principally a lower grade batsman playing in the 2nd and 3rd Grade teams for nine seasons totalling 2,681 runs with a top score of 114 in 1915-16. He made his 1st Grade debut in 1914-15 playing just a handful of games for 112 runs with 35 his best score. In 1920-21 he had his first taste of cricket administration by representing Petersham as a delegate to the NSW Cricket Association.

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Randwick Petersham is fortunate to have had so many dedicated and capable founding fathers. Petersham had Sydney Smith (60+ years), Randwick had Os Taylor (60+ years), Pet ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham has won an unprecedented 5 T20 Premierships since the inception of T20s into NSW Premier Cricket in 2008-09. The first premiership was won on Australia Day in 2012 v Sydney University at University No.1 with two other titles against the same opposition in 2015-16 & 2021-22.

In 85 matches the side has won 61, lost 21 (including 3 washed out draws). In 45 matches at home 31 have been won while 30 of 40 matches away have been won. It has also played in four Quarter Finals, eight Semi Finals, four Preliminary Finals and finished third three times.

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Randwick Petersham has won an unprecedented 5 T20 Premierships since the inception of T20s into NSW Premier Cricket in 2008-09. The first premiership was won on Australia D ...
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Q: The Ken Devlin / Luke Grimmond Memorial Cup was first contested in November 2019 to honour the unmatched contributions of both gentleman to Navy Cricket with Navy the inaugural winners.

COVID-19 postponed this fixture before it reconvened in 2022-23 with Irish Under 19 skipper Tim Tector leading the Randy Petes to their first win over Navy. On November 16, 2023 Navy Cricket was not impacted by deployments and key players were on shore and a strong and well drilled side took to the field in the 3rd T20 fixture.

Asked to bat first Navy were in early trouble as batsman struggled with variable bounce early on with Hayden Fox (2-7 off 2)

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The Ken Devlin / Luke Grimmond Memorial Cup was first contested in November 2019 to honour the unmatched contributions of both gentleman to Navy Cricket with Navy the inaugural winners.COVID ...
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Q: Coogee Oval hosted Australian Defence Force Cricket in their final match of their Sydney tour and the inaugural match between the two sides.

Ben Mitchell led the RPC XI in the T20 and called correctly to bat first. Jake Egan dominated from the outset with a quickfire 29 off 12 balls. Mitchell also contributed with 30. RPCC finished their 20 overs 9-137 slightly below par.

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Coogee Oval hosted Australian Defence Force Cricket in their final match of their Sydney tour and the inaugural match between the two sides. ...
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Q: While in the summers of 2015 and 2022 Randwick Petersham hosted Cricket Ireland prior to the 50 overs and T20 World Cups in Australia.

In late January 2015 Cricket Ireland landed at Kingsford Smith Airport kickstarting one of Randwick Petersham’s most historic weeks. In the lead up to the match, the Irish team stayed in Coogee and trained at Coogee Oval, while integrating with the community by holding clinics for local children and giving Randwick Petersham players a chance to train against an international team.

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Coogee Oval has hosted a number of ‘international’ matches over the past 3 decades. In 1988 the Galloping Greens hosted the World Champion All Blacks in front of a reco ...
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Q: Vale John Pearson

It is with extreme sadness, I report the passing of Life Member no. 26, John Pearson. John passed away in respite care on Monday evening 8 July. The dialysis treatment he had been receiving eventually got too much for his heart. He was 76.

John Pearson played just two seasons, 13 years apart, with Petersham-Marrickville, yet he was one of the most influential members of the club in the 1980s and through to its merger with Randwick in 2001. After beginning his cricket career with Balmain, he joined Petes in 1968-69 but was forced to transfer to the new Sydney club the following season when residential boundaries were changed. Some 12 years later, he was back in Petersham-Marrickville’s colours.

Increasing family and work commitments, however, saw him retire as a player at the end of the 1981-82 season. But he was not lost to the club and later served as Club Coach and Hon Treasurer. He was also a Delegate to the NSWCA and Sydney Cricket Association for 10 years before taking over as President of the club until December 1995.

During his time as President, he provided outstanding leadership when the club was under continual threat for amalgamation or exclusion from the 1st Grade competition. He and Hon Secretary Tim Dein formed a formidable duo in seeing off many such threats. His contribution to the Petersham-Marrickville club was formally recognised in 1996 when he was elected a Life Member. Four years later in the year 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor-General.

John Pearson was a very successful Sydney Grade cricketer scoring 5,080 1st Grade runs with four centuries and 23 fifties in a career spanning 13 seasons. All but 46 of those were with the Sydney club. With his lower grade performances, his overall tally exceeds 6,000 runs. He also took close to 100 wickets across all competitions.

John was a great supporter of the merger with Randwick to form Randwick Petersham Cricket. He maintained his involvement as a valued Director of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Foundation and a committee member of the club supporter’s group, known as the Randwick Petersham Cricket Legends Society. He and son Corey are also the joint sponsors of the “Clive Johnston Memorial Award”, an annual presentation to the club’s best under 21 Poidevin-Gray player.
Funeral details will be advised when known.

RIP John Pearson. One of the greats and a club legend in every respect.

Lyall Gardner OAM
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Q: John Pearson played just two seasons, 13 years apart, with Petersham-Marrickville, yet he was one of the most influential members of the club in the 1980s and through to its merger with Randwick in 2001.

Born on 15 October 1947 at Leichhardt and educated at Ibrox Park Boys High (now Leichhardt High), John Charles Pearson played his early Grade Cricket with Balmain. Prior to the 1968-69 season, John’s brother-in-law, Jeff McQueen, had an offer to join Petersham-Marrickville and the young opening bat, who had played a handful of 2nd Grade matches with Balmain, decided to go with him. Starting in 3rd Grade, Pearson impressed with top-score of 78 in only his second game. It was a match against Northern District which ended in a rare tie with both sides scoring 254. However, after five matches and a tally of 161 runs and nine wickets, selectors ushered him into 2nds where he completed the season.

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John Pearson played just two seasons, 13 years apart, with Petersham-Marrickville, yet he was one of the most influential members of the club in the 1980s and through to its merger with Randwick in ...
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Q: It was an anxious wait for the 14 year old outside the family home in Kingsford as the Randwick official drove up to collect him for his first Sydney Grade Cricket match. With two rounds to go of the 1982-83 season, young Michael Chee Quee had been invited to join Randwick’s 5th Grade side. The official was club stalwart, Phil Tresidder, who handed Michael a borrowed pair of spiked cricket boots and the pair were off to Snape Park. Although he made only a handful of runs that day, it prompted skipper Gordon Owen to comment in his annual report that “in 14 year old right-hand batsman Michael Chee Quee, who played the last couple of games, I see a star of the future”. Prophetic words as that was the beginning of the much celebrated Chee Quee family association with Randwick Cricket and later Randwick Petersham, which continues to the present day.

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Q: In the 50 years of Petersham-Marrickville, Paul Stepto produced the greatest bowling figures in 1st Grade and for the club, when he took 9-71 off 21 overs against Fairfield at Fairfield Oval in 1990-91. It was just the third round of the season and only the third game Stepto had played with Petes, having joined after five seasons in 1st Grade with St George. It was an amazing performance as he had the first nine wickets. Warren Pepper spoilt the “clean sweep” chance when he had the last man caught by Paul Clarke. Despite the paceman’s brilliant performance, the match was lost outright when Petes collapsed in the second innings after leading on the first. Stepto took 1-53 in the second innings to give him match figures of 10-124.

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By Lyall Gardner ...
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Q: Justin Quint joined Randwick Cricket club for the 1991/92 cricket season transferring across from St George Cricket Club after 6 seasons and being St George first grade player 305.

Justin played 4 seasons with Randwick before moving full time to the U.K. He played 44 first grade games for the club and twice won the fielding award as he was considered one of the best fieldsman in Sydney Grade Cricket.

Nicknamed “The Freak” Justin skills and athletic ability in the field would save his team at least 20 runs each time he took the field especially when he was patrolling the point and cover regions.

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Justin Quint joined Randwick Cricket club for the 1991/92 cricket season transferring across from St George Cricket Club after 6 seasons and being St George first grade player 305.Justin pla ...
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Q: Nasser Hussain became the second professional cricketer to play with Petersham-Marrickville DCC when he joined the club for the 1992-93 season. The success of having David Capel as player/coach the previous season whetted the club’s appetite for a return. Unfortunately, Capel was unavailable. As had been the case in gaining Capel, Wayne Mulherin again contacted his UK friend, Northampton County player Nigel Felton who recommended Nasser Hussain, an Essex professional who had played three Tests for England on a tour of the West Indies in 1990. Nasser accepted the opportunity and joined Petersham-Marrickville as player/coach for the season. Seven years later he would captain England.

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By Lyall GardnerNasser Hussain became the second professional cricketer to play with Petersham- ...
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Q: Clive Johnston 1925-91

An examination of the history of any successful sporting club or association will generally identity a handful of people whose dedicated contribution over an extended period, was an important ingredient in its success. In terms of the Petersham / Petersham-Marrickville District Cricket Club, Clive Johnston was such a person.

With the start of World War II in 1939-40, the 14 year old Petersham-born Clive William Johnston ventured to the local Petersham Oval to attend the Saturday morning coaching classes. Despite his tender years, he showed enough batting talent and enthusiasm to attract the selector’s attention and he made his Sydney Grade debut that season in Petersham’s 3rd Grade team.

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By Lyall GardnerAn examination of the history of any successful sporti ...
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Q: Vale Stan Beal

It is my very sad duty to advise that Stan Beal, one of the club’s most popular and respected members, passed away in Prince of Wales Hospital, last night 12 June after a short illness. He was 73.

Stan joined the old Randwick club as 2nd Grade scorer in 1986-87 at the suggestion of workmate and former 1st Grade skipper, Gary Bensley. The following season he progressed to score for the 1st Grade side while undertaking the role of Publicity Officer. Within a year, he had added Practice Captain to his busy schedule. That was the beginning of a multitude of roles he would go on to perform for the club over a period of 37 years.

Despite battling health issues throughout his life, Stan was a tireless worker who may best be described as the ultimate volunteer. He was also CEO and Assistant CEO for Randwick, Operations Manager, committee member, Chairman of Selectors, delegate to the local junior council, manager and scorer of the Poidevin-Gray team. For Randwick Petersham he was Practice Captain and 2nd Grade scorer for many years, 1st Grade scorer on occasions while providing voluntary assistance whenever help was needed.

Apart from his documented activities, Stan’s assistance in providing accommodation for players, finding them jobs and generally acting as mentor and friend to many, cannot be measured in any material way. The huge number of “thank-you’s” directed to Stan in the end-of-season reports of captains in the club annual reports over the years, is testimony to the assistance he provided and the esteem in which he was held.

At the Annual General Meeting in 2019, President Mike Whitney made a special award to Stan, acknowledging a contribution to the club and cricket, well beyond what may be expected by the most devoted of volunteers.

Stan Beal was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. Funeral details will be advised when available.

RIP Stan Beal.

Lyall Gardner
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Q: John Affleck was an experienced Sydney Grade cricketer when he joined Petersham-Marrickville in 1989-90 at 33.

A left-hand bat had played 11 seasons with Parramatta and scored over 3,250 1st Grade runs, he was a welcome addition at a time when the side had finished last the previous season and two of its top-class players, David Chardon and Peter Taylor had retired.

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John Affleck was an experienced Sydney Grade cricketer when he joined Petersham-Marrickville in 1989-90 at 33.A left-hand bat had played 11 seasons with Parramatta and scored over 3,250 1st ...
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Q: Neville Ray James Beath was born at Gooloogong in country NSW on 12 November 1921. No-one seems to know where the name “Bill” came from, but anyone who knew him says he was never known by anything else. And like many country lads, he went to school in Sydney, completing his education at St Joseph’s College before joining the Petersham club in 1941-42 where his reputation preceded him, playing his first match in 1st Grade. He took 1-20 against University on debut, a match where Sid Barnes made 165. The following round against Manly at Manly Oval he headed the bowling with 4-45, while top-scoring in the second innings, belting 54 when quick runs were required.

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By Lyall GardnerAs a fiery and aggressive right-arm opening ...
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Q: Alan Turner was Randwick’s first home-grown Australian Test cricketer. Although Randwick had been around since 1900, it wasn’t until 1975 when Alan made his Test debut against England at Edgbaston, a couple of weeks before his 25th birthday that a local cricketer made the big-time. That was the first of 14 Tests Alan was to play for a return of 768 runs at an average of 29.53 including a top score of 136.

Alan Turner was born at Camperdown on 23 July 1950. Having played A W Green Shield for Waverley, it was fortuitous for Randwick that Alan’s parents moved house to Little Bay where the Randwick Boys High pupil gravitated to the local cricketing ranks. His first season in 1966-67 was spent in 3rd Grade where the left-hand opener topped the batting with 470 runs including 116 against Manly in just his fourth game. His effort helped the side make the Grand Final that season. Soon after he toured South Africa with the Australian Schoolboys.

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Q: Throughout the life of any club, its history will reveal that many of its greatest wins were the result of high-scoring batting partnerships. And while Randwick Petersham has been operating for only 23 seasons following a merger between Randwick and Petersham-Marrickville in 2001, the club has chalked up some impressive 1st Grade partnerships. Of its 10 record partnerships, nine resulted in wins while the other was in a drawn match. Here’s how the record partnerships played out.

1st Wicket 254 (also club record): Round 4, 2016-17 v Blacktown Mounties at Joe McAleer: WON 5-378 to 9-373 dec

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Throughout the life of any club, its history will reveal that many of its greatest wins were the result of high-scoring batting partnerships. And while Randwick Petersham h ...
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Q: Petersham-Marrickville 1st Grade runners-up 1976-77

Back Row - Jack Ross (President), Graeme Hughes, Brian Sharp, Greg Hartshorne, David Jurd, Peter Maloney, Gary Goodman, Barry Blanchard, John Bain, Brian Hughes (Hon Secretary)

Front Row : Ross Palmer, David Chardon, Brian Riley (Captain), Ray Phillips, Stuart Gardner

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Q: On Sunday 6 November 2022 Randwick Petersham in conjunction with Inner West Council and the Mayor Darcy Byrne reopened the Dudley Seddon Memorial Stand and opened The Hughes Family Long Room at Petersham Oval to commemorate the dedication of Dudley Seddon and also The Hughes Family; Noel, Pat, Mark, Garry and Graeme for their contribution to Petersham-Marrickville and Randwick Petersham over 64 years. Petersham Oval is one of the most picturesque and historic grounds in NSW Premier Cricket and thanks to Inner West Council is being restored to its former glory.

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On Sunday 6 November 2022 Randwick Petersham in conjunction with Inner West Council and the Mayor Darcy Byrne reopened the Dudley Seddon Memorial Stand and opened The Hughes Family Long Room at Pet ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Cricket Club 2nd Grade premiers 2004-05
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Q: When wicketkeeper Alan Campbell completed a massive 58 1st Grade dismissals behind the stumps in 1981-82 he broke his own record set the previous year by an impressive 17 wickets. And while the official Sydney Grade Cricket record was 64 set by Bill Englefield from Northern District in 1942-43, it was recognised that that feat was established in a season of one-day matches. The Randwick club claimed that Campbell’s performance had never been matched before in predominantly two-day match competitions and should be considered the new record. It was a claim beyond argument.

Alan Campbell came to Randwick in 1979-80 after six seasons with Sutherland.

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By Lyall GardnerWhen wicketkeeper Alan Campbell completed a massive 58 1st Grade dismissals beh ...
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Q: Burt Cockley played first class cricket for NSW and Western Australia. He played T20 Cricket for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL and for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.

He played NSW Premier Cricket for Randwick Petersham

In first class cricket Burt took 44 wickets in 14 games at an average of 28.40 with best figures of 5 for 76.

As a fast bowler Burt had speed (over 140km) and muscle and he loved nothing more than the freedom of bowling as fact as he could. Unfortunately consistent injuries curtailed his career.

Despite the setbacks and frustrations Burt has found a new path and there are no limits.

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Burt Cockley played first class cricket for NSW and Western Australia. He played T20 Cricket for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL and for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.He played NSW Premier Crick ...
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Q: Bronko Djura was one of the best all-round sportsmen to play cricket for Petersham-Marrickville. He was an outstanding junior player in both cricket and rugby league. In 1980 he played under 16s cricket for NSW and made the Australian under 16s team. He later played under 19s cricket for NSW and Australia touring England in 1983. He played in all three Youth Tests completing 31 dismissals including 10 catches in one match. He was selected on the tour as the preferred ‘keeper ahead of Queensland’s Ian Healy who later became one of the great Australian wicket-keepers.

In 1982 Bronko played Australian Schoolboys rugby league touring New Zealand with the likes of Paul Langmack and Andrew Ettingshausen. A Newtown Jets rugby league junior, he went on to be graded with South Sydney at age 19 when the Jets were eliminated from the competition at the end of 1983.

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By  ...
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Q: Adam Warren was a fast bowler who made his first grade debut for Randwick (prior to the merger) in 1994 and went on to take 311 first grade wickets at an average of 19.68 before moving to Melbourne at the start of the 2003/04 season.

In Melbourne Adam took 226 first grade wickets at an average of 21.13 and was a premiership winning player with St Kilda Cricket Club.

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Q: John O’Loughlin joined Randwick as a 15 year old in 1943-44.

1948-49 was an amazing season for the 20 year old. He started in the 4th Grade team playing his first match at the new Snape Park ground. In a bizarre move a couple of matches later, the 2nd Grade captain Stroy Donnan, accepted a recommendation from the 4th Grade captain for John’s inclusion in his team as the 3rd Grade captain was reluctant to recommend anyone from his side.

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John O’Loughlin joined Randwick as a 15 year old in 1943-44.1948-49 was an amazing season for the 20 year old. He started in the 4th Grade team playing his first match at the new Snape Par ...
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Q: Martin Haywood - Randwick Petersham Cricket Club - Heroes of the Ages

Martin Haywood joined Randwick in 1993-94 from Campbelltown. A powerful right-hand stroke maker who hit the ball hard and often had already debuted for NSW in 1991-92.

Marty had quite a spectacular first season with Randwick. He scored 53 in his first game against St George at Coogee to get him away to a season which netted 845 runs–798 at 72.55 in Belvidere Cup matches and 47 in the Reschs Cup Limited Overs competition which Randwick won.

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Q: Tommy Andrews was Petersham DCCs greatest cricketer.

While claims of this nature generally raise issues for debate, in the case of T J Andrews, there is no argument. He played his first game for Petersham in 1909 aged 19 and his last in 1944 aged 54. He retired in 1936 but made a comeback in 1941 at the request of the club. He was a powerful right hand batsman and leg break bowler who excelled as a close-to-the wicket fieldsman.

He was immediately inserted into the 1st Grade team when he played his first match for Petersham in 1909-10. He made a half-century among his 125 runs but it was his performance in the Wednesday “Half-Holiday” competition which indicted his undoubted ability. He batted 12 times for 468 runs with a top-score of 201*.

The following season, after making a duck batting no. 10, another duck batting at 6 and 21 after opening the innings, Tommy was in at no. 8 against Redfern at the SCG. With the score 6-155 chasing 313, Andrews got together with Ernie Newton and the pair put on a club record 138 for the seventh wicket to take the match with a final total of 402. Tommy made his first century for Petersham that day scoring 108 with 14 fours in 115 minutes. He made 297 runs for the season and took 19 wickets with his leg-spinners.

1912-13 brought with it the start of an outstanding first-class cricket career when he was selected to play for NSW. Nine seasons later after WWI he made his Test Match debut for Australia on the 1921 Ashes tour of England.

In 30 seasons with Petersham he scored 11,719 runs at 36.73 in 1st Grade (28 centuries). His aggregate remains the fifth highest in the history of Sydney 1st Grade. With his leg breaks, he took 503 wickets at 20.84 with 8-72 his best. He took eight wickets in an innings four times and five in an innings 30 times.

TJ Andrews #trustrespecthumilty
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Q: John Benaud was Randwick’s first Test cricketer. Disappointingly his career was brief, spanning just three matches and robbing the cricketing public from one of the more dashing and entertaining batsmen of his time.

He ventured to Coogee Oval in the spring of 1969 as an established State player who became captain of the NSW Sheffield Shield team that season, Benaud’s presence in the Randwick 1st XI as captain and punishing batsman did wonders for the spirit and morale of the team. He instilled in the players a purpose for a more aggressive brand of cricket which was a feature of his leadership at the first-class level.

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Q: Marrickville District Cricket Club First Grade team 1921-22
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Q: Vale Troy Crosland

Troy Crosland, a former 1st Grade captain of the former Petersham-Marrickville club. Troy passed away from meningitis on Wednesday 24 January in Italy, where he had been living for the past 23 years. He was just 52.

Troy joined Petersham-Marrickville in 1995 from the Campbelltown club. He played for five seasons in 1st Grade captaining the side in 1997-98. He also captained the 2nd Grade team in 2000-01, the final year before the merger to become Randwick Petersham. A left-arm orthodox spinning all-rounder, he was also a brilliant fielder, being the leading catcher in four of his five seasons with the club in 1st Grade.

Troy remained a Petersham-Marrickville 1st Grade record-holder at the time of the merger, having put on 76 for the 10th wicket against Mosman in 1998-99 with Andrew Harrison.
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Q: The catch - Anthony Sams 500th first grade wicket keeping dismissal.

Brilliantly captured by photographer Peter Bannigan, Anthony Sams dives down leg side to catch Manly Warringah's Ahillen Beadle for 0 off the bowling of Randwick Petersham opening bowler Angus McTaggart

Read Lyall Gardner summary of Anthony's terrific achievement and day one of the first grade match
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Q: Few men had a greater love of the Randwick District Cricket Club than Wally Byrne. He began as a player and finished as President of the club, a position he held for seven years between 1952 and 1958.

Walter Leslie Byrne was born in Sydney on 10 August 1905 and joined Randwick in 1926-27 from the Centennial Park Junior Association as a 21 year old. He played in the 2nd Grade side taking out the batting average with 191 at 27.28 and was quickly promoted to 1st Grade where he impressed greatly as a wicket-keeper. The annual report that year contained the following comment: “Wally’s wicket-keeping was a big factor in our success and good judges predict a big future for this unassuming colt”.

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By Lyall GardnerFew ...
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Q: Saturday was an historic one for Sydney 1st Grade cricket. When Anthony Sams held a sharp leg-side catch for Randwick Petersham in the clash against Manly-Warringah at Manly Oval, he wrote his name into the history books of Sydney Grade Cricket/NSW Premier Cricket. That snare gave him a career total of 500 1st Grade wicketkeeping dismissals–only the second player to achieve the feat since the competition began in 1893 and the first in 68 years. The only wicketkeeper to reach such a remarkable milestone prior to Saturday, was Ernie Laidler who played with St George between 1928 and 1958 and brought up the number towards the end of the 1955-56 season. Anthony’s 500 dismissals comprise 448 catches and 52 dismissals and include 5 catches to took with Bankstown before joining Randwick Petersham in 2010-11. He currently has 495 dismissals with the club.

And to make the day a more memorable one for the brilliant wicketkeeper-batsman, just hours before achieving his historic milestone, he scored his 13th century for Randwick Petersham. Coming in to bat with the score a precarious 3-5, he was the sixth batter out at 188 having scored 103 from 150 balls with 12 fours and a six. It was a simply outstanding performance by any measure.

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Saturday was an historic one for Sydney 1st Grade cricket. When Anthony Sams held a sharp leg-side catch for Randwick Petersham in the clash against Manly-Warringah at Manly Oval, he wrote his name ...
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Q: The Cricket NSW Foundation creates opportunities for girls to thrive in cricket!

The CNSW Foundation and Cranbrook School invite junior girls to a special free skills morning at Dangar Oval on Sunday January 28 from 11am - 1pm with the experienced Cranbrook cricket coaching team.

An extra special T20 Charity Match will follow between the Cranbrook XI and a Cricket NSW Foundation Invitational XI featuring Australian legend Shane Watson!

Cricket NSW look forward to seeing you for a great family day!
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Q: From the moment he joined, Lyall Gardner threw himself wholeheartedly into whatever was going on in the club. He was an experienced club cricketer, who simply “lived the game”. Playing was a tonic to Lyall and his performances quickly justified his selection straight into 1st Grade, where he was a reliable and persistent into the wind, new ball bowler. His classic wicket ball was a slight inswinger that seamed further back at the batsman’s stumps after it hit the pitch. When the ball was new, you definitely had to get straight onto the front foot to him or start digging it out of your middle and leg stump!

As a player he played matches in all grades 1st to 5th, taking five wickets in an innings in each grade. There would not be many players who could boast that statistic. In fact, he took 10 wickets in a match three times and ten times he took five wickets in an innings. Best figures 8-12: 3rd Grade v Waverley 1977-78 and he won the 2nd Grade batting average with 22.83 in 1975-76 batting no. 10. Took 5-14: 2nd Grade at Rushcutters Bay on 11 October 1975 (Saturday) and celebrated by marrying Ros next day 12 October 1975 (Sunday) with the team in attendance!

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Q: An extract from Randwick Petersham Cricket Club 2021-22 Annual Report

What a great thrill for Randwick Petersham Cricket and its many followers, to see two of its favourite sons opening the batting in Test Match cricket for Australia! When David “Bull” Warner and Usman “Ussie” Khawaja walked together to the centre of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, it was history in the making. The occasion was the 1st Test between Australia and Pakistan–the first in that country for 20 years. And they supported their selection at the top of the order with a partnership of 156 for the first wicket. David scored 68 while Ussie went on to make 97, before being caught at short leg.

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An extract from Randwick Petersham Cricket Club 2021-22 Annual Report ...
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Q: Ray McNamee - 1895-1949

“Ray McNamee has my admiration and respect for, of all the medium pace bowlers it has been my good fortune to play with or against, I regard Ray as the best”. These are the words of the Randwick champion batsman and 1st Grade captain Alec Marks following McNamee’s retirement at the conclusion of the 1936-37 season when aged 41.

Ray McNamee was one of Randwick’s greatest bowlers. He headed the bowling honours in 10 of his 14 seasons in 1st Grade producing some magnificent performances. He was also a successful bowler at first-class level taking five wickets in an innings five times for NSW.

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“Ray McNamee has my admiration and respect for, of all the medium pace bowlers it has been my good fortune to play with or against, I regard Ray as the best”. These are the words of the Randwic ...
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Q: Paul Fitzgerald has a particular record which any sport-minded person would expect will never be surpassed. He won a cricket premiership, was named man-of-the-match in the Grand Final, celebrated with his premiership team-mates and got married. All in the same weekend!! His wife Suzanne was a very understanding bride.

The occasion was the 1990-91 3rd Grade Grand Final between Randwick and Penrith at Raby Oval, Campbelltown played over both days of the March weekend. With opponent Penrith finishing higher up the points table, Randwick needed to win the match to take the premiership. But disaster struck when the first day’s play was washed out.

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Paul Fitzgerald has a particular record which any sport-minded person would expect will never be surpassed. He won a cricket premiership, was named man-of-the-match in the ...
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Q: Todd Greenberg grade cricket career started in the 1987/88 season for Randwick Cricket Club and in 9 seasons from 5th grade to first grade Todd scored 3,627 runs at an average of 30.23 and hit 7 hundreds and 14 half centuries.

He made his first grade debut in Round 6 of the 1992/93 season and scored 652 runs in first grade in 31 innings including two centuries.

Todd is a proud member of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club legends society and is now the CEO of Australian Cricketers Association

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Q: Petersham Marrickville Cricket Club First Grade cricket team 1983-84

Wayne Mulherin, Bronko D’Jura (obscured), David Chardon, Mark England, John Bain, Peter Taylor, John Sullivan, Steve Sullivan, Graeme Hughes, Chris Sullivan, Greg Hartshorne
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Q: Martin Bedkober 1952-75

In 1974-75, Petersham-Marrickville won the 1st Grade premiership with Martin Bedkober at the forefront with many outstanding performances. He scored 541 runs with 118 against Nepean (now Penrith) his best while recording another 36 dismissals behind the stumps. And while he won selection in the Metropolitan Colts team for the second year, there remained a sense of frustration in not being able to further his career at the State level.

To assist him fulfil his burning ambition to play first-class cricket, Martin moved to Brisbane prior to the start of the 1975-76 season. He left Petersham-Marrickville with a Grade Cricket record of 2,752 runs and 261 wicket-keeping dismissals

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Q: Randwick District Cricket Club 3rd Grade Minor Premiers and Finalists 1977-78

Youth overcomes experience; 3rd Grade lose Grand Final in surprise result.

It was felt that 3rd Grade was the most likely of all the grades to take out the premiership. Ending as minor premiers and with a team comprising nine players with 1st Grade experience, they were expected to have too many guns for the young Western Suburbs team in the Grand Final, especially having beaten them in the preliminary rounds. Not to be, with the inexperienced Wests running out convincing winners.

Minor premiers

Captained by the experienced 33 year old, John Johnson, who was returning to the club after a gap of four years due to family illness, the side had two outright victories among its 10 wins. It won the last six matches to take the minor premiership by a clear margin, with eight points to spare over Wests.

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An extract from Lyall Gardner OAM ...
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Q: Congratulations to Randwick Petersham Chief Executive Officer, John Stewart, who has been presented with a Kingsford Smith Community Service Award. The award was presented by the Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, at a formal ceremony at the Randwick Community Centre last Thursday evening, 23 November 2023.
The Community Service Awards are designed to recognise local volunteers for the hard work and dedication they bring to the community. John’s award is an outcome of his contribution to the Randwick Petersham Cricket club as CEO and in various other voluntary positions since he joined the club just on 20 years ago.
Congratulations John Stewart! An award well earned and earned well.
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Q: Randwick Petersham completed a comprehensive first innings victory over 1st Grade competition leaders Northern District at Asquith Oval today. The scores were Randwick Petersham 122 and 8-207 declared to 69 and 8-229.

Most of the action occurred last week with NDs 9-65 at stumps in reply to Randwick Petersham’s 122. Today, it took Angus McTaggart, who celebrated his 21st birthday two days ago, just 4 balls to complete the Northern District innings for 69, finishing with the magic figures of 7-35 from 9.4 overs. That performance equalled the club’s best-ever 1st Grade bowling figures set by Englishman Jonathan Lewis against Mosman in 2003-04 – 20 years ago. Lewis played Test and ODI cricket for England shortly after

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By Lyall GardnerRandwick Petersham completed a comprehensive first innings victory over 1st Gra ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Cricket Club First Grade team 2015-16 - T20 Premiers

2015-16 Results - Ladder
The Belvidere cup - 10th
Limited Overs Competition - 12th
T20 - 1st Premiers

T20 victory celebrations after Randwick Petersham defeated Sydney University in the final of the T20 competition at Coogee Oval in November 2015

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2015-16 Results - LadderThe Belvidere cup - 10thLimited Overs Competition - 12thT20 - 1st PremiersT20 victory celebrations after Randwick Pet ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham won its 5th 1st Grade Twenty20 premiership at Coogee Oval when it defeated a brave Gordon side in the Grand Final of the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup, 4-155 (18.4 overs) to 8-152 (20 overs). And while the match was played in cloudy and gloomy conditions after parts of Sydney had been deluged by up to 75mm of rain overnight, the game produced all the excitement and tension that a T20 Grand Final can do.

Batting first after winning the toss, it was high drama when Daniel Sams clean bowled the Stags skipper, Tym Crawford, with the very first ball. But it was almost 10 overs later before the hosts could claim a second wicket when Jason Ralston bowled Axel Cahlin (38 off 27 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes) for a 2-66 scoreline. Trystan Kennedy (28 off 33) went 7 runs later although a 56 runs partnership which followed, put Gordon’s nose in front.

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By Lyall GardnerRandwick Petersham won its 5th 1st Grade Twenty20 premiership at Coogee Oval wh ...
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Q: Ron Saggers could be regarded as Marrickville DCC greatest cricketer. An excellent batsman and wicket-keeper of exceptional skill he played for Australia, NSW and Marrickville with outstanding success.

While he was a classy batsman, it was his polish as a wicket-keeper with an amazing ability to effect stumping’s which was on regular display during his international playing career between 1939 and 1951. Sagger’s record shows that of his 221 first-class career dismissals, no less than an amazing 75…or 34%…were stumped.

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Ron Saggers could be regarded as Marrickville DCC greatest cricketer. An excellent batsman and wicket-keeper of exceptional skill he played for Australia, NSW and Marrickville with outstanding succ ...
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Q: In the cricket season of 1973-74, Graham Errington indicated in no uncertain manner that he was a wicket-keeper out of the top drawer, by breaking a club record on debut in Randwick’s 1st Grade team. And to perform that feat and make that debut, he had a meteoric transition from 4th Grade to 1sts­–all in a six month period and all before he was 21!

Graham John Errington was born at Sydney on 27 July 1953 and educated at Sydney Boys High where he played cricket in the GPS competition. In 1967-68, he played for Combined Associated Schools (CAS) in the A W Green Shield competition after the NSW Cricket Association had approved the entry of such a team. The couple of games he had in the side whetted his appetite, and the following season he joined the Balmain Green Shield team where he played the season. That led to him making his Grade Cricket debut in Balmain’s 1972-73 4th Grade.

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Q: Randwick and Petersham Marrickviile Cricket Clubs are two clubs with tremendous and rich history in Sydney Grade Cricket.

During the 2001 off season the two clubs decided to amalgamate and on the 29 September 2001 they played their first game as Randwick Petersham and their inaugural captain was Paul Toole.

Paul was an opening batsman and had been playing for Randwick since 1992 and he was now the very proud recipient of Randwick Petersham cap number 1.

From 1992 to 2006 Paul Toole scored 5,671 runs in first grade at an average of 30 and scored 5 centuries and 34 half centuries.

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Q: Peter Devlin first captained a Randwick team in 1973-74, his second season in AW Green Shield. He went on to captain the side for four years ending up playing an amazing 35 matches over five seasons in Green Shield. He was also selected in the representative Combined Green Shield team.

He made his Grade debut in 1973-74 and within two seasons he was one of the better performed players in that team. In 1975-76 he had returns of 5-57 v Sydney and 7-44 the following match v Mosman. He was the leading bat with 427 in 3rd Grade in 1976-77 in a team which lost the Grand Final. Three seasons later he was the leading bowler in 2nd Grade returning 26 wickets with his right-arm medium pacers which included a 5-29 performance against NDs.

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Q: Another brilliant win last Saturday for Randwick Petersham taking on Hawkesbury in a 1st Grade limited overs match at Benson’s Lane, Richmond. The side won by 58 runs bowling out the Hawks for 168 in reply to its 9-226 off 50 overs. The Hawks’ bowling subdued the visitors’ batting to some extent, with top-score coming from number 7 bat Angus McTaggart, making 55 off 66 balls while hitting 6 fours. Earlier, skipper Riley Ayre had set the scene with a solid 50 off 87 balls with just 2 boundaries. Alex Ross, in his second Belvidere Cup match, made a valuable 41 off 56 balls. Former Australian left-arm spinner, Steve O’Keeffe ensured runs were hard to come by, taking 4-34 off 10 overs.

In the run chase, the locals made a reasonable start to be 2-61 off 15 overs before losing 3-19. From 5-102, the Randy Petes bowlers really hit their straps taking the last 5 wickets for only 66 runs to pocket the points

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By Lyall Gardner Another brilliant win last Saturday for Randwick Pete ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham v Campbelltown-Camden First Grade - Round 2 NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

The World Cup may be where the big cricket is, but for pure cricket excitement, Coogee Oval was the place to be on Saturday. It was a 50 overs-per-side clash between Randwick Petersham and Campbelltown-Camden. And it ended in a spectacular win to Randwick Petersham in a match showcasing the magic talent of Daniel Sams.

An Australian T20 cricketer and a world-traveller in T20 league matches these days, Dan made a rare 1st Grade competition appearance leaving in awe those who witnessed his performance. With his team seemingly on the ropes at 6-115 chasing 248 runs to win, the dashing right-hander finished the day with 130 not out hitting 12 fours and 6 sixes off just 89 balls in a final tally of 8-253 off 45.3 overs. His 50 came up in 45 balls and his 100 in 72.

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By Lyall GardnerThe World Cup may be where the big cricket is, but for pure cricket excitement, ...
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Q: David Chardon made his first grade debut for Petersham Marrickville Cricket at the age of 16 during the 1967-68 season and went on to become one of the greats of Sydney Grade Cricket,

In a career spanning 1967 to 1990 David Chardon took 793 wickets at an average of only 19.67 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 37 occasions. Incredibly David only played one first class game for NSW.

David is 8th on the list of all-time wicket takers in NSW Premier Cricket. In fact, the bowlers that sit above David are all spinners and that makes him the leading fast bowler in wickets taken in the history of NSW Premier Cricket.

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Q: In another scintillating display of power batting, Randwick Petersham today cemented its place at the top of the Pool A ladder in the 1st Grade Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup competition at Coogee Oval. Two matches were played and the home team ran out convincing winners in each. Highlights were the outstanding 101 not out from Jack Wood in the match against Western Suburbs while skipper Jason Sangha hit a majestic 68 not out playing Penrith after being dropped on the boundary before he had scored.

In the first match, the Panthers made 7-136 from their 20 overs with Riley Ayre (2-19 off 4 overs) and Jason Ralston (2-27 off 3), the principal wicket-takers. In reply, Anthony Sams with 46 off 36 balls hitting 4 fours and a 6 and Sangha, whose 68* came from just 49 balls with 4 boundaries and 4 big tonks over the fence, put on 108 for the second wicket. The winning runs came up in just 17 overs.

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By Lyall GardnerIn another scintillating display of power batting, Randwick Petersham today cem ...
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Q: Vale Peter Taylor

I am shocked and saddened to report the passing of Peter Taylor, a proud Randwick Petersham Cricket Legend and former 1st Grade captain of the old Petersham-Marrickville club. Peter was found deceased in his Meadowbank home unit on Thursday 21 September. It appears he passed away up to a week before that. Many of his friends had been following him on Facebook as a result of his recent stint in Concord Hospital with a “mystery” illness which turned out to be a problem with his kidneys. After his discharge from hospital, he commented in a Facebook post some 10 days ago that he had received some physio and he felt “terrific” (his description). He is survived by two sisters, Cathy at Terrigal and Jann in Brisbane. Peter would have been 70 on 2 October.

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By Lyall GardnerI am shocked and saddened to report the passing of Peter Taylor, a proud Randwick Petersham Cricket Legend and former 1st Grade captain of the old Petersham-Marric ...
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Q: The Sweepologist comes to Coogee!

Randwick Petersham are excited to welcome Sydney Thunder batsman Alex Ross to the Club in 2023-24. The 31-year-old right hand bat, Alex has moved to Sydney from his hometown, Adelaide. He has played Sheffield Shield for South Australia and represented the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat in the BBL.

Welcome Alex!!

#trustrespecthumility
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Q: Graeme Cunningham had the thrill and rare distinction of making a hundred on his 1st Grade debut. It was round 8 of the 1993-94 season when the 18 year old right-hander was called into the Petersham- Marrickville side for the clash with North Sydney at Petersham Oval. He had won his opportunity with some excellent lead-up performances in 2s where he had already brought up a sensational 103 against Sydney University as part of his 294 runs in just six matches.

Batting first, a solid start had been made but the side appeared to be losing its way at the loss of the fifth wicket with just on 150 on the board. Sent in at no. 7, the youngster joined John Affleck but rather than be guided by the cagy veteran, he opted for his normal attacking game hitting the bowlers to all parts of the field as he racked up a brilliant 109* in a final score of 7-346. In just over two hours he had belted nine boundaries and three massive sixes in an innings which brought raptures from good judges. The country boy was well and truly part of the big smoke.

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Graeme Cunningham had the thrill and rare distinction of making a hundred on his 1st Grade debut. It was round 8 of the 1993-94 season when the 18 year old right-hander was called into the Petersha ...
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Q: Randwick Petersham Cricket Congratulates Adam Semple upon his election as the 37th Life Member of the Sydney Cricket Association. He was honoured alongside umpires Graham Chudleigh (Life Member 35) and Graham Reed (Life Member 36)

In the history of Randwick Petersham, Sempie is the greatest all-rounder the club has produced. In a career spanning 16 seasons, the left-hand bat and right-arm medium pacer, scored 6,505 runs, took 419 wickets and held 96 catches in 309 matches–each a club 1st Grade record. He also played a match in 3rd Grade in 2008-09 while recovering from an injury, scoring a century (124), taking two wickets and holding a catch to give him a club record of 6,629 runs, 421 wickets and 97 catches in 310 matches. Only two players have taken more wickets across the club. And to add to the brilliance of those records, some of his better performances occurred in the seasons leading up to his retirement in 2021-22, shortly before his 40th birthday.

Congratulations once again Adam Semple on a deserved honour!!
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Q: Greg Hartshorne affectionately known as ‘Prince’ played first grade cricket in Sydney from 1969 to 1999.

He played the majority of his cricket for Petersham Cricket Club and was made a life member of the club in 1988. When Petersham amalgamated with Randwick in 2001 Greg became a foundation life member of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club.

Greg was an all-round cricketer, an exceptional fieldsman and an inspiring captain and leader. In first grade Greg scored 7,687 runs at an average of 24.71 including 3 centuries and 42 half centuries. His highest score was 107.

With the ball Greg took 343 wickets at an average of 25.32 with best figures of 7 for 55 and took 5 wickets or more on 9 occasions.

Greg’s contribution to the game continued long after his first grade career as he captained and played in the lower grades at Randwick Petersham and has the distinction of winning 3 premierships in a row as captain in three different grades.

He was a state selector for a number of years and was made life member of the Sydney Cricket Association in 2005.

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Greg Hartshorne affectionately known as ‘Prince’ played first grade cricket in Sydney from 1969 to 1999.He played the majority of his cricket for Petersham Cricket Club and was made a li ...
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Q: Geoff Davies joined Randwick in Green Shield in 1959-60. The following summer he won a place in the Combined Metropolitan Green Shield team after setting a club record when he took 27 wickets at just 9.3.

3 years later he made his 1st Grade debut at 16 years and 167 days–the fifth youngest in the club’s history. His debuted v St George at Coogee. The following season at Hurstville, he rattled up a brilliant 96 before being bowled by Australian Test star Norm O’Neill. Frustratingly for the talented youngster, he made 94 v Paddington the following season and was caught for 96 v Wests at Pratten & a year later when the West Indies Test fast bowler Wesley Hall played a season with the club.

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Geoff Davies joined Randwick in Green Shield in 1959-60. The following summer he won a place in the Combined Metropolitan Green Shield team after setting a club record when he took 27 wickets at ju ...
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Q: Steve "Worm" Sullivan - The Debut

A memorable occasion in any cricketer’s career is his 1st Grade debut. In a recent discussion with Randwick Petersham Cricket historian Lyall Gardner, former Petersham-Marrickville player Steve Sullivan, was asked for a few details about his 1st Grade debut. Steve, or “Worm” as he is affectionately known, had been a very successful lower-grade player and was 23 at the time.

The match was the last day’s play of the 1982-83 season. Both Petersham-Marrickville and Randwick were defeated in the 1st Grade semi-final and in accordance with the rules at that time, were to play-off for third place in a one-day match at Coogee Oval. Graeme “Heaps” Hughes couldn’t play so it was decided it was time for Steve Sullivan to make his 1s Grade debut under the astute captaincy of Brian “Riles” Riley.

In his own words, here’s how Steve recalled his experience:

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A memorable occasion in any cricketer’s career is his 1st Grade debut. In a recent discussion with Randwick Petersham Cricket historian Lyall Gardner, former Petersham-Ma ...
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Q: Congratulations to our President and former Australian Test cricketer Michael Roy Whitney AM

At Randwick Petersham's 22nd AGM Whit was elected unanimously for his 23rd term as Club President. In the combined 263 seasons he is now the longest serving President well surpassing the previous records from our Foundation Clubs - 20 seasons held by Petersham-Marrickville's John Ross and 14 seasons held by Randwick's Bill Beath.
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Q: To recognise the achievement of players selected in the Randwick Petersham 1st XI, the club introduced a capping system in 2001- 02, its first season.

Players retain the number they are allocated for all time. The last number allocated will also reflect the total number of players to play in the club's 1st Grade team. A total of 152 have now played in the 1st XI since the club's creation 22 years ago. This season, six players made their debut as 1st graders with Randwick Petersham. Each was presented with his cap by an official or representative of the club before the start of play in their first match in the top grade. The capped players for 2022-23 are:

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To recognise the achievement of players selected in the Randwick Petersham 1st XI, the club introduced a capping system in 2001- 02, its first season.A player who plays in the 1st Grade team ...
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Q: Heroes of the Ages - Ernie Toshack, a member of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles”, holds a special place in the history of Randwick Petersham Cricket. Not because of his first-class and Test cricket on-field exploits, but because he is the only cricketer to have played first-class cricket while a member of the three clubs behind Randwick Petersham – Petersham, Marrickville and Randwick.

At 29 he ventured to Sydney to play Grade Cricket. Surprisingly, his first choice club Petersham couldn’t find a spot for him and it was Marrickville where Ernie made his Grade debut – in 3rd Grade. In the only match he played in that grade, he took 10 wickets (6-40 and 4-16) against Glebe. Promoted to 2nd Grade he took 9-94 in his only game and was immediately promoted to 1st Grade where he took 7-35 in a losing 1st Grade match against University. His 6-22 to dismiss Manly for just 59 however, resulted in a resounding win for his team.

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Heroes of the Ages - Ernie Toshack, a member of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles”, holds a special place in the history of Randwick Petersham Cricket. Not because of his first-class and Test c ...
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Q: Rodney Davison joined Randwick in 1991-92 having hit 700 runs the previous season with Sutherland. It was somewhat of a conservative start for the young opening batsman hitting four half-centuries in a total of 490. However, net season his name was planted firmly in the minds of State selectors when he rattled up 702 runs for the season including scores of 150* and 135* in the first two rounds playing Petersham-Marrickville and NDs. Those scores were followed up by four half-centuries before he unfortunately broke a finger and missed a couple of games. After four rounds he was averaging 227.50 in a total of 455. In the newly introduced one-day Resch’s Cup competition he hit sensational 106* v Penrith.

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Rodney Davison joined Randwick in 1991-92 having hit 700 runs the previous season with Sutherland. It was somewhat of a conservative start for the young opening b ...
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Q: David Somerville was a fast bowler with a good turn of pace. “Speed-gun” measurements weren’t available in his day, but good judges claimed he would have nudged 140 km if timed. Certainly Bankstown felt the full force of his thunderbolts in 1989-90 when he took 7-68 off 25 overs on an unresponsive Coogee wicket to set up a solid win for his team. Four of his wickets were clean bowled with a fifth caught and bowled.

In 1988-89, a work move to Sydney and a desire to test himself in Sydney Grade Cricket, brought Somerville to Randwick. The opportunity to perform under the watchful eye of former Test fast bowler Mike Whitney, was another attraction for the young quick.

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David Somerville made his first grade debut for Randwick Cricket Club during the 1988/89 season and in 7 seasons for Randwick he took 142 first grade wickets and 197 grade wickets overall.As ...
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Q: Graeme Hughes made his Grade debut at 15 in Petersham-Marrickville’s 1971-72. His arrival brought immediate success, winning the A W Green Shield.

Hughes’ playing influence in the win, however, was with the ball rather than the bat. He opened the bowling and produced some devastating spells in finishing with 27 wickets at the amazing average of just 9.7. He knocked Randwick over for 52 with 7-22, while in the GF, he took 5-42 to have North Sydney out for 109, giving his team a win by a massive 10 wickets. He was later named captain of the Combined Green Shield team to play Country.

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Graeme Hughes made his Grade debut at 15 in Petersham-Marrickville’s 1971-72. His arrival brought immediate success, winning the A W Green Shield. Hughes’ playing influence in the win, h ...
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Q: Gary Bensley - be competitive, stay humble

Gary Bensley travelled down from Inverell in Northern NSW to play cricket for Randwick Cricket Club during the 1976/77 season and over the next 17 seasons became one of the most dominant all-rounders in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket.

In Gary’s grade cricket career he played for two clubs, Randwick and Mosman and then played Shires cricket for Epping.

Gary took 539 first grade wickets at an impressive average of 20.19 with best figures of 7 for 10 and took a 5 wickets or more in an innings on an equally impressive 30 occasions.

A hard hitting left hand batsman Gary scored 6,603 runs at an average of 33.01 and scored 9 centuries and 24 half centuries.

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Q: Ken Grieves joined Petersham DCC in 1941-42 scoring 62 and taking 6-78 off 22 overs in 3rd Grade v Paddington. He was immediately promoted to 2s where he hit 74 and took 10 wickets at just 14 in three games. Although only 17 years of age he was rushed into 1st Grade making 20 in his debut v Gordon at Petersham in October 1941 before going on to take the bowling honours with 32 wickets at 20.25.

A right-hand batsman and leg spin bowler he had knocked up 1,207 runs in 1st Grade, taken 71 wickets and held 41 catches, mainly at slip where he excelled, for Petersham before his 20th birthday.

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Ken Grieves joined Petersham DCC in 1941-42 scoring 62 and taking 6-78 off 22 overs in 3rd Grade v Paddington. He was immediately promoted to 2s where he hit 74 and took 10 wickets at just 14 in th ...
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Q: David Capel was the first professional cricketer to play with Petersham-Marrickville DCC when he joined the club for the 1991-92 season. Overseas professionals in Sydney Grade Cricket had become quite regular since Wesley Hall joined Randwick in the 1965-66 season. Hall’s impact on the club and the competition led to a number of other high-level players joining Grade clubs in the 1970-80s, the most notable being Tony Greig and Geoff Boycott with Waverley, Barry Knight with Mosman and Mike Gatting with Balmain.

With Petersham-Marrickville being touted for some time as a club likely to be forced into a merger or wound up altogether to cater for the need to establish Western Sydney clubs, the committee was looking to improve its standard of play and competitiveness. The loss of a number of experienced players such as John Bain, Mark Atkinson, Bart Pozuelo, Pat Farhart and Warren Pepper gave every indication that season 1991-92 was likely to be a real struggle.

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David Capel was the first professional cricketer to play with Petersham-Marrickville DCC when he joined the club for the 1991-92 season. Overseas professionals in Sydney Grade Cricket had become qu ...
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Q: Jock Livingston - Randwick Petersham Cricket Club - Heroes of the Ages

An aggressive left-handed batsman and occasional wicket keeper, Len Livingston joined Randwick in 1945-46. It was not as successful as expected although he won the batting average and aggregate with 464 runs at 30.93. The following summer he showed his attacking flair scoring centuries v Gordon (109) and Balmain (120) to post a season total of 552 runs at an average of 61.3. His batting was described as “most entertaining to spectators and to team mates”. He and his skipper Jack Chegwyn were regarded as the most formidable duo in the Sydney Grade competition.

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An aggressive left-handed batsman and occasional wicket keeper, Len Livingston joined Randwick in 1945-46. It was not as successful as expected although he won the batting average and aggregate wit ...
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Q: Petersham-Marrickville A W Green Shield Premiers 1971-72

Back Row - Brian Hughes (Hon Secretary), Ross Palmer, David Sharpe, Robert Jones, Chris Storey, Steve Ghidini, Steve Brennan, Bill Anderson (Manager)
Front Row - Jack Ross (President), Michael Shaw, Malcolm Goulstone, Graeme Hughes (Captain), Mark Wilmott, Paul Davison, Alf Debnam (Hon Treasure)

Premiership glory! A W Green under 16 team takes the 1971-72 title
In a season where four of the eight rounds were rain affected, the Graeme Hughes-led team managed to win five matches and draw three to go through the A W Green Shield competition undefeated and win the premiership. Wins were recorded over Sutherland, Randwick, Cumberland and Waverley with the defeat of North Sydney in the Grand Final clinching the trophy. Matches against Bankstown, Western Suburbs and St George were all drawn due to wet conditions.

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Back Row - Brian Hughes (Hon Secretary), Ross Palmer, David Sharpe, Robert Jones, Chris Storey, Steve Ghidini, Steve Brennan, Bill Anderson (Manager)Front Row - Jack Ross (President), Michae ...
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Q: The word “enigma” is described in the Collins Dictionary as “mystery, conundrum, problem, puzzle, riddle, teaser”. David Knox was probably all of those. An athlete of unquestionable ability, he could have been a star in any sport he chose. Rugby was his passion however, and he was certainly a star in that code playing 13 times for Australia between 1985 and 1997 and being a member of the 1991 World Cup squad. He also played in eight 1st Grade Randwick Rugby premierships while scoring a record 2,842 points–the highest point scorer in Australian club rugby. In 1994 he kicked 12 goals against Drummoyne. He also scored 130 points for the Australian Wallabies.

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By Lyall Gardner ...
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Q: Randwick District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1977-78

Alan Turner won the toss and had no hesitation in sending David Colley’s boys in to bat.

It brought immediate success with Tim Towers having Pym caught behind third ball. But Rob Jeffery and Greg Bush dug in until both were gone on the same score. But the Whale’s English import, Jim Love, and Colley hit out after Bensley had Allan Border caught by Bill Knowles. It was only just after Love departed that Colley called a halt.

The Mosman openers made early inroads to the Randwick batting with star openers, Turner and Dyson out quickly. A backs-to-the-wall effort by Tom Wood however, defied the attack and when bad light stopped play at 5.45 pm, Randwick had the premiership

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Martin Haywood joined Randwick in 1993-94 from Campbelltown. A powerful right-hand stroke maker who hit the ball hard and often had already debuted for NSW in 1991-92.Marty had quite a spect ...
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Bill Alley was a “legend” as a cricketer. In his first season in 1943-44 with Petersham he scored 1,413 runs ...
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Q: Bill Alley - Randwick Petersham Cricket Club - Heroes of the Ages

Bill Alley was a “legend” as a cricketer.

In his first season in 1943-44 with Petersham he scored 1,413 runs a Sydney 1st Grade record for 63 years. He scored six centuries that season including tons against University (141*), North Sydney (119), Wests (100) and Mosman (111*) in successive matches—rounds 19, 20, 21 and 22. His best score was against Randwick when he hit 230* including 12 sixes and 21 fours with his first 100 coming in 59 minutes and then with the ball claimed 6-52. Against Mosman that same summer at the Sydney Cricket Ground he hit 111* and took 5-35 to record yet another outstanding all-round performance. Apart from topping the Petersham and competition batting that season he also took out the club bowling honours with 57 wickets at an average of 15.12 with 6-39 against Waverley his best performance.
Over the following four seasons Bill totalled another 1,485 runs with five centuries and five fifties for Petersham and played 12 times for the State scoring three centuries as an opening batsman, although they were war time matches which did not count as first-class games at that time (they have now been so recognised). When his wife died tragically and he missed selection in Bradman’s 1948 Ashes “Invincibles” team, he moved to England and played in the Lancashire League with Colne Cricket Club for the following five years where he topped 1,000 runs each season, had an average of less than 107 on only one occasion while scoring 20 centuries and taking 179 wickets.
In 1957 at age 38, he debuted for Somerset and 11 years later at age 49, he had scored 19,612 runs and taken 768 wickets with 31 centuries and 92 half centuries. Aged 42 he scored 3,019 runs in the English season (his testimonial year after only four seasons with Somerset) while a year earlier he had bowled 14 successive maiden overs in an innings taking 4-17 off 27 overs with 21 maidens.
In 1969, Bill turned to umpiring after rejecting Somerset’s offer of a contract for one day matches only. Within five years he umpired the first of his 10 Test matches when Australia played England at Nottingham.
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Q: Noel Hughes - Randwick Petersham Cricket Club Cricket Nomad Heroes of the Ages

Born in Newtown on 6 April 1928 and a product of Lewisham Christian Brothers, 13 year old Noel Keith Hughes joined the old Marrickville club as a Green Shield boy in 1941-42, playing in the competition for three seasons.

He wasn’t sighted in Grade Cricket for another three years but in 1947-48 joined Petersham DCC.

After showing his wares in making 272 runs in 2nd Grade he made his 1st Grade debut playing five matches.

In 1948-49 he headed the 2nd Grade batting with 421 runs including a dashing 127 not out against Northern District. His performance drew the comment in the annual report from his captain Jack Ross that “His determination and keenness was a shining example to all members of the club. His promotion to 1st Grade was well merited and he should be an acquisition and add strength to the batting”.

Prophetic words as Hughes went on to score over 9,000 runs for the club in a playing career spanning more than 32 seasons.

A notable feature of Noel Hughes’ outstanding career was the seasons he had in 1953 and 1954 with the English County Club Worcestershire. Ironically, the opportunity to play County Cricket came from Randwick’s Jock Livingston, a regular with Northamptonshire, who suggested to Noel after he had played well against Randwick at Coogee Oval and in a NSW Colts match against Queensland at SCG no.2, that he would be an ideal prospect for an English County team. It was on his recommendation that Worcester snapped up the budding top-class batsman.

When the proposal to merge with Randwick was put to Noel in 2001 he gave it his ringing endorsement.

The new Randwick Petersham club created renewed interest and enthusiasm among followers of both clubs and Noel was no exception.

Over the following years “Pommie” was somewhat of a fixture in a soft seat beneath a tree near the Petersham Oval grandstand watching play in the middle, be it 1st Grade or 4th Grade.

Noel “Pommie” Hughes contributed a lifetime of service, dedication and loyalty to cricket and to the Petersham-Marrickville / Randwick Petersham club spanning almost 70 years.

#trustrespecthumility #heroesoftheages
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Q: Trevor Jay made his first grade debut for Randwick Cricket Club in 1969 as an 18 year old left arm orthodox spinner.

In a remarkable career spanning 24 years in first grade Trevor took 707 wickets at an impressive average of 20.58 and to this day is 14th on the list of all-time leading wicket takers in Sydney Grade Cricket, now NSW Premier Cricket.

Trevor’s impact in Sydney Grade Cricket is highlighted not just through his individual performances but also his influence on Randwick’s successful 4 first grade premierships in 7 years from 1976 to 1984.

Trevor was awarded Life Membership of Randwick Cricket Club in 1989 and Sydney Cricket Association in 2002.

Let’s find out more about Trevor’s terrific journey in the game

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By Lyall GardnerMany of Australia’s greatest bowlers have spent a career performing outstandi ...
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By Lyall GardnerIn t ...
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By Lyall GardnerIt was an anxious wait for the 14 year old outside the ...
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By Lyall GardnerPeter Taylor was an experienced Sydney Grade cricketer when he joined Petersham ...
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Todd Greenberg grade cricket career started in the 1987/88 season for Randwick Cricket Club and in 9 seasons from 5th grade to first grade Todd scored 3,627 runs at an average of 30.23 and hit 7 h ...
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All enquiries and booking - sullochris1@gmail.com - M 0451 039594 ...
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By Lyall GardnerMarrickville DC ...
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By Lyall GardnerOver ...
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By Lyall GardnerThre ...
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Randwick and Petersham Marrickviile Cricket Clubs are two clubs with tremendous and rich history in Sydney Grade Cricket.During the 2001 off season the two clubs decided to amalgamate and on ...
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Andrew Millican was one of the leading wicket keeper-batsman in NSW Premier/Grade Cricket from the time he made his first-grade debut in 1984 for his beloved R ...
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In 2001-02 three of our first graders this season excelled themselves, reaching heights they had not experienced before in Sydney grade cricket. Richard Chee Quee, Daryl Parmenter  ...
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With Coogee Oval undergoing a major redevelopment in 1977-78, securing the use of SCG No. 2 as its 1st Grade ground was a huge bonus for Randwick in attempting to turn around its sagging fortunes. ...
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By Lyall Gardner ...
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By Lyall GardnerThe three Sullivan b ...
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Wayne Mulherin, Bronko D’Jura (obscured), David Chardon, Mark England, John Bain, Peter Taylor, John Sullivan, Steve Sullivan, Graeme Hughes, Chris Sulliv ...
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By Lyall GardnerWe did it! We won the Poidevin-Gray under 21 years competition for the first time in our 22 seasons. Defeating Parramatta at Old Kings Oval today, 189 runs to 144, ...
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Back Row - Jack Ross (President), Graeme Hughes, Brian Sharp, Greg Hartshorne, David Jurd, Peter Maloney, Gary Goodman, Barry Blanchard, John Bain, Brian Hughes (Hon Secretary)Front Row : R ...
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Gary Bensley travelled down from Inverell in Northern NSW to play cricket for Randwick Cricket Club during the 1976/77 season and over the next 17 seasons became one of the most dominant all-rounde ...
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Peter Devlin first captained a Randwick team in 1973-74, his second season in AW Green Shield. He went on to captain the side for four years ending up playing an amazing 35 matches over five season ...
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John Benaud was Randwick’s first Test cricketer. Disappointingly his career was brief, spanning just three matches and robbing the cricketing public from one of the more dashing and entertaining ...
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David Chardon made his first grade debut for Petersham Marrickville Cricket at the age of 16 during the 1967-68 season and went on to become one of the greats of Sydney Grade Cricket,In a ca ...
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Born in Newtown on 6 April 1928 and a product of Lewisham Christian Brothers, 13 year old Noel Keith Hughes joined the old Marrickville club as a Green Shield boy in 1941-42, playing in the competi ...