Part 2 - The history of St George District Cricket Club 1931-32 to 1940-41
St George Cricket Club | July 25, 2023
The St George District Cricket Club boasts a proud history which has now extended beyond a century.
When the club entered the first-grade competition in 1921-22, few could have predicted the success and prestige that would accompany it in the ensuing century. As the club celebrates its centenary of first grade across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons there is an opportunity to celebrate many of the outstanding performances and moments that have occurred.
With this in view, it was decided to compile a list of 100 moments in 100 years.
This is not a list of the 100 greatest moments in club history, but rather a celebration of significant achievements and milestones that have occurred across 100 seasons of first grade cricket in the St George district.
To ensure that recency bias did not creep in it was decided that each decade would receive 10 spaces on this list to complete the 100.
This has allowed for a greater balance across all eras of club history whilst also highlighting the significant achievements of particular periods such as the 1930s and 1960s.
The undertaking of this task has required significant reference to annual reports, statistics, and books on the history of the club. Of particular usefulness were the annual reports from the 1960-61 and 1970-71 seasons which celebrated 50 years of club history and 50 years of first grade respectively.
These two reports provided plentiful information on the early days of the club and of significant performances from these periods as well.
Let it be recorded that this wonderful body of work was compiled by Nathan Anderson, a passionate St George player and clubman who like many is proud of his club's history.
We take the opportunity to thank Nathan for his work and continuing a legacy forged by many before him including his grandfather, the late Brian Booth.
Part 2 - 1931-32 – 1940-41
1. Donald Bradman scores 246 in 205 minutes against Randwick with 25 boundaries and one six. This innings remains the highest score for a St George DCC batsman. (1931-32)
2. In only seven completed innings, Bradman scores 785 runs to break Bob Louden’s club record of 777 for most runs in a first-grade season. (1931-32)
3. Harry Theak records the match figures of 13 for 63 against Central Cumberland and is referred to as “the [Tibby] ‘Cotter’ of St George.” At the time it was the best figures for the club in first grade. It was the first of three matches in the 1931-32 season where Theak took more than 10 wickets in a match (12 for 73 v Balmain, 12 for 60 v Paddington) (1931-32)
4. Donald Bradman scores 134 against Balmain, recording his 6th successive century in six innings for the club across two seasons. His scores included 128 v Paddington, 201 v Gordon, 108* v Gordon, 105* v Mosman, 112 v Manly and 134 v Balmain. (1931-32 to 1932-33)
5. Bob Louden produces an innings deemed “one of the most forceful seen on Hurstville Oval”, scoring 193 against Petersham. The “lucrative lash” received an ovation from the crowd at the completion of his innings. (1933-34)
6. Bill O’Reilly announces his arrival at St George DCC with 8 for 55 against Western Suburbs including a hat-trick. He ends his first match for the club with figures of 12 for 79. (1934-35)
7. Bill O’Reilly records the match figures of 15 for 42 against Manly. This remains the best match figures for a bowler in first grade for the club. (1937-38)
8. In its nineteenth season of first grade, the club wins the first-grade premiership. Led by Bill O’Reilly, the club wins four consecutive premierships from 1939-40 to 1942-43. A decision in the mid-1930s to build a team with young talent proved a wise one. (1939-40)
9. At only seventeen years of age, Arthur Morris scores 890 runs in a first-grade season, setting the club record which lasts for 27 seasons. (1940-41)
10. In his initial first grade season, Bob Cristofani takes 50 wickets at 15.3. Alongside Bill O’Reilly (46 wickets) and Morris, the club achieves its second consecutive premiership. (1940-41)
