4th Grade Premiers in inaugural season 1965-66

Sutherland District Cricket Club | November 06, 2024

In the Club’s first season 1965-66, the youthful 4th Grade team, well led by experienced off-spinner Ross Longbottom, won the premiership in an incredible final at Sutherland Oval. The star of the final was 15-year-old pace bowler Paul Lennon, who took 9-19 off 10.3 overs, as Central Cumberland were routed for just 43. Sutherland replied with 6/67 before the match was called off with Sutherland premiers. It was a fourth consecutive 4th Grade premiership for 46-year-old Longbottom, who had captained St.George to premierships in 1962-63, 1963-64 & 1964-65. He had previously had a long and distinguished 1st Grade career with St.George, making his debut in 1937-38 and taking 588 wickets at 20.47 in 1st Grade for St.George & Paddington. He formed a devastating spin attack with Test great Bill O’Reilly for St.George during the late 1930s and 1940s.

 Paul Lennon had a remarkable season in the Club’s debut season in Sydney grade cricket, taking 58 wickets at 10.05 in 4ths, “A” Shires & AWG Shield as a 15-year-old. This included four 5-wicket hauls, starting with 5-9 in “A” Shires on the Club’s first playing day on 25.9.1965 and culminating with his amazing effort in the final. This stood as the best bowling figures in an innings for the Club until Devlin Malone eclipsed it with 10-115 in 2nd Grade in 2015-16. Paul played 58 matches for the Club between 1965-66 and 1969-70, taking 161 wickets at an average of 14.3 across 2nds to 5ths, “A” Shires and PGs & AWG. He stopped playing cricket at the age of 19 to concentrate on rugby league. He played three 1st Grade matches for Cronulla-Sutherland in 1970, playing fullback and winger in a side captain-coached by Tommy Bishop.