Petersham-Marrickville A W Green Shield Premiers 1971-72
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | June 22, 2023
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.
The side had some spectacular wins. Against Randwick, opening bowler Hughes demolishing the Coogee boys for just 52 taking 7-22 in the process. He followed up with 2-40 in the second dig for match figures of 9-62. In that match Ross Palmer hit 100* to secure the points in a score of 6-211 declared.
Playing Waverley at Petersham Oval, Jim Warwick hit a brilliant 126 in a score of 6-231 which was well in advance of the Dolphins’
181. And against Sutherland, a Graeme Hughes double of 33 with the bat and 4-46 with the ball ensured a solid victory 216 to 133.
The A W Green Shield Grand Final
In the Grand Final against North Sydney at Drummoyne Oval, Hughes (5-42) and Chris Storey (3-13) allowed Norths no latitude and it was only a 10th wicket partnership which got them to a tally of 109. That target proved no difficulty with the opening partnership of Ross Palmer (40) and Robert Jones (106*) putting on 126 to win by 10 wickets. Final scores were 206 to 109.
Excellent individual performances
The club was delighted how team manager, Bill Anderson, was able to blend the side into a winning unit, playing as a team at all times. There were however, some outstanding individual performances, the most notable being the skipper, Graeme Hughes.
Bowling right-arm medium pace he took 27 wickets at just 9.7 off only 92 overs, 21 of which were maidens. Not only was this the most wickets for the team but the most in the competition. At the end of the season, he was awarded the club’s coveted Colin Hollingsworth Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding under 16 cricketer.
Robert Jones opened the batting and made 252—the most runs in the competition—at the excellent average of 50.4. He also effected five dismissals as wicket-keeper. Ross Palmer had a great all-round season with 242 runs, a century and 16 wickets at 16.9 as did Jim Warwick with 180 runs, a century, nine wickets and five catches. Each of these three players, along with Graeme Hughes, were selected in the two Combined Green Shield teams with Hughes named as captain of the Firsts.
By Lyall Gardner from the book "Heroes of the Ages"
