The Bayliss Factor - Penrith Cricket Club 1985 -86

Penrith Cricket Club | July 24, 2023

‘Go west young man’ was once the ringing demand of leaders keen to stir the pioneering spirit. Now, the New South Wales Cricket Association got the message and admitted three new Clubs to the Sydney Grade Competition—Hawkesbury, Campbelltown and Fairfield. The impact on the western zone was such that Penrith lost in the order of 20 graded players seeking to test that other adage: ‘the grass is greener on the other side of the fence’. So, to finish seventh in the Club Championship was a mighty solid effort. Club Coach Ron Halse said in his report: “The Fourth and Fifth Grade sides contained a lot of very young players. Many alternated between the two sides regularly and this certainly would have had a negative effect on their performances in terms of trying to establish permanent positions in batting line-ups, and, receiving a sufficient amount of bowling from week to week.” As the summers have passed such surges of ‘inexperience’ have been a cyclical concern for the Club. However, just as cyclical has been the way out of it—a willingness by the solid, experienced ‘clubmen’ to hang about and educate the young in the wily ways of the game. Should that aspect of development ever falter then the standard of the Grade game will certainly be weakened, and, the decline to ‘Park standard’ will be rapid. 

The arrival of the new Clubs meant also that all four of the Associations which had formed the Hawkesbury Country Cricket Council (#) were now playing in the NSWCA Grade Competition The heady expansion revived calls for a reduction in Club numbers by the amalgamation of inner-city Clubs, the object being to strengthen the standard of Grade cricket. And, indeed there were amalgamations, most notably that of the Randwick and Petersham-Marrickville Clubs. But, in time, administrators would observe the population explosion in general, and baulk at any attempts to further reduce Grade player numbers, fearful of damaging cricket’s image by conceding ground to other sporting codes ever keen to grab sporting youth. 

Sheffield Shield commitments kept Steve Small off the First-Grade scene for most of the season; fast swing-bowler Phil Blizzard was missing for Shield too, not as often, but it just took the edge off the team, which missed the Semi-finals. Incongruous though it may seem, they won the Sydney Morning Herald Team of the Year Award, for the fourth time. “Lucky,” screamed our knockers. It was ‘fourth time unlucky’ for Third Grade; they made the Semi-finals again—for the fourth consecutive year—but, again, went no further.

Perhaps one day Trevor Bayliss would look back on this season as pivotal in what was to become an illustrious career. On his way to a 500-plus run summer he was selected in the NSW Colts (versus WA) and the NSW 2nd XI (versus Victoria), but the real indicator of the selectors’ opinion of him was his selection (with Steve Small) in a NSW XI to tour Zimbabwe. In those days Zimbabwe was a genuine emerging International opponent, not the cricketing and social basket case it would become by the turn of the century. 

Other players to gain representative honours were: Jason Penrose NSW U/19s, Bruce Hill NSW U/16s and Darren Goodwin Combined Green Shield. Two of our promising young players, Steve Burns and Garry Cumberbatch, were named Sportsman of the Year by their respective local Councils, Penrith and Blue Mountains. Jon Llewelyn was appointed a Life Member. The naturally- gifted all-rounder John Saint won the Encouragement Award. A burly all-rounder, he would eventually try his luck in Tasmania. 

First Grade (7th– 46pts) 

At first glance it was difficult to reconcile the winning of the Sydney Morning Herald Team of the Year Award and missing the playoffs, especially as only two games were lost. And, our Runs-for and Wickets-taken summary was mighty impressive. But the bowling lacked a quality spinner—no Graeme Beard, no Tom Shiner—and therefore, balance. The team had too many draws—five—an historic, and unwanted, first. Frustrated, captain Ken Hall noted: “Two of those were rain affected which certainly cost us victories, and, in two more the opposition decided to shut up shop rather than play cricket.” He went on to urge the Grade Committee to look at the rules to get more positive cricket. “Surely people want to see results after 12 hours of cricket,” he said. 

A unique photo. Penrith versus Hawkesbury at Howell, and, all the ‘players’ are either Penrith or ex- Penrith. The batsman is Barry Coad, then with Hawkesbury. His partner is Ken Gunderson. The bowler is Ian Monaghan. Graham Price is at short leg, the slips Steve Small, Ken Hall, Rod Bower, Trevor Bayliss with the ball and Brian Wood appealing. Even the spectators in the background behind the fence are players, Graeme Thorpe and Gary Donlan Monaghan was a mountain of a man, with a blond mane, a right- arm fast-medium bowler who was more affable than angry when hurling the new ball. Ray Hudswell thinks he had the noisiest run up of any bowler he ever played with: “He would begin this long run-up and with each step the noise would increase until delivery when it sounded like a cattle stampede.” Ray enjoyed making the point to Ian that he “was certainly no ‘Whispering Death’”, a nod to the great Michael Holding. Ian was a Penrith Grounds Manager where his engineering skills and knowledge of Council protocols proved invaluable. He was responsible for the original box nets at Howell. Brother Greg(#) was a key player in Ian Davis’ Premiership team. 

There were two new faces in the team. One was strike fast bowler Mark ‘Doc’ Denny from the Sydney Club, which had been disbanded to make way for the new Clubs coming in. There was some history there: the Paddington Club, founded in 1893 was one of six inaugural ‘electoral’ clubs in the Sydney Grade Cricket competition, and, at the end of the 1964-65 season Paddington amalgamated with Glebe-South Sydney to form Sydney Cricket Club. Now Sydney was no more. However, it would be revived in 2007-08 when the UTS Balmain Club joined the SCG Trust in forming the ‘new’ Sydney Cricket Club. Another new face in the team was Michael ‘Pubes’ Haire, a sliding medium pacer, also from Balmain. Denny could be very quick, especially when aggravated by misfortune. He topped the bowling with 37 wickets. Haire began an association with Penrith that would lead to the First-Grade coaching role in the future. He would also play a key role in organising an historic Sportsman’s Lunch featuring Richie Benaud. Another new face was Ian Redpath, not the former Australian opener, but a young English County player. We lost a good’un; at the season’s end big Phil Blizzard returned to Tasmania. 

The batting was the strength: there were 20 scores of 50-plus, including a double century and five centuries. The dynamic duo, our ‘country cousins’ Brian Wood and Trevor Bayliss, shared a new Club Record Second Wicket Partnership of 287 v Balmain, during which Wood toppled a Steve Small batting record. Good judges said: “They are without a doubt the quickest pair running between the wickets in the competition, and just as quick in the field.” Collectively, they took 16 catches. 

A five-round 50-overs Limited-overs Competition was introduced. The Club played the five teams they were not drawn to play in the First Grade competition and had three wins, a washed-out draw and a loss. Best performed were Ken Hall (111 v Manly, and 3/18 v Gordon); and, Trevor Bayliss (73 v Mosman). 

Highlights 

• Brian Wood scored 669 runs @ 51.46, including 202* v Balmain (new Club Record), 84* v Petersham, 84 v Bankstown and 67 v Waverley 
• Trevor Bayliss scored 565 runs @ 47.08, including 116* v Balmain, 114* v Randwick, 74 v Bankstown, 67 v Fairfield, 60 v Sutherland and 59 v Campbelltown; took 10 catches 
• Steve Small (seven innings) scored 385 runs @ 77.00, including 109* v Sutherland and 75 v Hawkesbury 
• Ken Hall scored 344 runs @ 38.22, including 113 v Wests, 88 v St George and 61 v Bankstown; took 29 wickets @ 23.10, including 6/73 v Parramatta; won the Cammack Outstanding All-rounder Award for the seventh time. 
• Mark Denny took 37 wickets @ 17.70, including 5/34 v Uni NSW and 5/60 v Waverely 
• Phil Blizzard took 27 wickets @ 21.40, including 6/13 v Campbelltown, 6/45 v Sydney Uni and 5/74 v Fairfield 
• Ian Redpath scored 54 v St George and 50 v Hawkesbury 
• Keeper Greg Gavin scored 208 runs @ 23.11, including 53* v Sutherland; took 17 catches, made two stumpings 

 

Runs for: 3323 Wickets lost 89 Average 37.34

Runs against: 2922 Wickets taken 127 Average 23.01 

Second Grade (8th-42 pts) 

The captain was the larger-than-life Ray Hudswell, and he brought to the ‘personal pars’ in the season’s report a somewhat different perspective: “Garry Cumberbatch ... will develop into a fine all- rounder ... can’t remember too many of his girlfriends’ names, seems to update models regularly.” And, “Grant Woodbridge ... elegant right-hand batsman ... gets lost if he turns sideways.” Or this, “Paul Thomas ... a great team player ... we look forward to seeing him wear some bigger shorts next season.”

His sense of humour was useful because at the halfway mark in the competition the team had just 10 points, hurt by rain in the main, and inexperience. But the last seven matches brought five wins, a washed-out draw and a loss, much more cheering, especially so against Sydney Uni, final day of the season, pre-lunch. Hudswell: “We captured nine wickets for less than 70 on a plumb track.” Scores: Uni 170 (Kershler 5/62, Thomas 4/47); Penrith 6/172 (Holt 79, Woodbridge 47). Interesting to note was this: the leading two bowlers were young left-arm orthodox spinners, Anthony Kershler and Paul Thomas, spin already acknowledged by Ken Hall as a factor missing from First Grade. Perhaps an outburst of selection courage might have been warranted? ‘Hudsy’ thanked the players, the ladies, the scorer and ... “the proprietors of the Empress Gardens Restaurant for not throwing us out on the night of our final match. That was a big night!” 

Highlights 

• Grant Woodbridge scored 395 runs @ 56.43, including 139* v Petersham, 93 v Balmain and 50 v Hawkesbury 
• Wayne Holt scored 328 runs @ 41.00, including 102 v Petersham, 90 v Sutherland and 79 v Sydney Uni 
• Jason Penrose scored 125 v Bankstown 
• Keeper Michael Wholohan scored 246 runs @ 30.63, including 73* v Hawkesbury and 52 v Bankstown; took 15 catches, made two stumpings 
• Tony Kershler scored 232 @ 19.55, including 57 v St George, took 25 wickets @19.52, including 5/38 v Petersham and 5/62 v Sydney Uni; took 17 catches 
• Rob Sneddon (five innings) scored 171 runs @ 34.20, including 83 v Wests and 69 v Balmain 
• Graham Price (two innings) scored 127 runs @ 63.50, including 69 v Hawkesbury and 58 v Petersham 
• Wayne Holt and Ian Redpath, in Round four, set a Club Record 2nd Wicket Partnership of 186 v Sutherland 
• Brian Wood and Trevor Bayliss, with 287*, superseded it in Round 13! 
• Grant Woodbridge and Wayne Holt set a Grade Record 3rd Wicket Partnership of 179 v Petersham 

Runs for: 2064 Wickets lost 117 Average 19.56

Runs against: 2278 Wickets taken 110 Average 22.74 

Third Grade (2nd-56pts) 

“Once upon a time in the Land of the Panther there lived a team of cricket(er)s. Every year for the past four years this team wanted to cross the bridge to the promised land, where the turf was greener, the run-ups smoother and the ‘arvo teas’ were sumptuous. But alas, at every attempt insurmountable obstacles hindered their path. It rained for forty hours and forty seconds at their first attempt.

“At their second try they said they wouldn’t be inundated again, but someone forgot to turn the tap off. Undaunted, they trudged on. Over hill, over dale and down to ‘Kenso’, only to be thwarted by a last ditch stance. And, so it came to pass that on this fourth occasion ...” 

So wrote Captain Lawrie Renshall, lyrically, of the Thirds relentless quest for the Holy Grail, the Mitchell Cup. After Round nine, Thirds were sitting precariously on 26 points with five games to go. They won them all to climb over the top of seven teams and grab second spot on averages. 

The Semi-final was against Northern District. Penrith, batting first, posted their best score for the season with 8/323, Greg Sheens 74, Andrew Williams 60 and John Saint 60. The high hopes were dashed on the Sunday when they replied with 7/325, Greg Sheens 4/100 and Tony Dukes 1/31. 

Greg Sheens had his best season for the Club, not least of it being his instant success after being promoted to open the batting mid-season. Peter Savage set the challenge for future bowlers: he kicked off the 400 Wickets Club. What a remarkable achievement! In reaching 402 he bowled who- knows-how-many balls on stinking hot days on flat tracks, conceded 7048 runs, all done at the brilliant average of just 17.53. Trivia buffs would like it known that Peter also scored his maiden Grade 50! 

Highlights 

• John Saint, scored 390 runs @ 35.45, including 66* v Wests and 63 v Petersham, took 21 wickets @ 14.52, including 5/36 v Hawkesbury and 5/60 v Wests 
• Greg Sheens, scored 302 runs @ 33.56, Including 74 v Balmain, 74 v Northern District and 55 v Wests; took 12 wickets @ 23.58, best 4/23 v Petersham 
• Tony Dukes scored 280 runs @ 24.67, including 88 v Waverley; took 15 wickets @ 21.27, best 4/46 v Bankstown 
• Peter Savage took 31 wickets @ 15.51, including 7/45 v Campbelltown; scored 112 runs @ 18.67, including 50* v Waverley 
• Garry Cumberbatch (from 46 overs) took 10 wickets @ 12.80, including 8/16 v Fairfield; promoted to Seconds 
• Rob Sneddon (four innings) scored 112 runs @ 28.00, including 55 v Sutherland; promoted to Seconds 

Runs for: 2721 Wickets lost 123 Average 22.12

Runs against: 2202 Wickets taken 121 Average 18.19 

Fourth Grade (17th-22 pts) 

Premiers last season, so this was a classic case of roosters to feather-dusters. Captain Jon Llewelyn noted: “Lacking in experience due to the loss of so many experienced players to other Clubs, the boys were thrown in the deep end so to speak.” There were at least four matches that could have gone either way—Bankstown won off the last ball, nine down—so the last round win over the strong Sydney Uni side was a happy ending to a rain-affected season. Penrith scored 164 and great bowling from Tony Beacroft (4/32) and Steve McKenzie (3/50) swung an eight-run victory. 

Highlights 

• Pasco Skelin scored 212 runs @ 30.29, including 76 v Bankstown and 50 v Petersham; took 27 wickets @ 16.41, including 5/44 v Uni NSW 
• Derek Arnberger scored 210 runs @ 23.39, including 93 v Fairfield 
• Tony Beacroft scored 189 runs @ 23.63, including 58* v Balmain; took 12 wickets @ 21.53 
• Mark Freeman scored 210 runs @ 14.91, including 70 v Fairfield, took 13 wickets @ 30.00, including 5/67 v Wests 
• Steve Mackenzie scored 165 runs @ 18.33, including 54* v Bankstown 
• Jon Llewelyn took 27 wickets @ 18.30, including 5/78 v Campbelltown, taking his total wickets for the Club to 378 
• Craig Gunton (six innings) scored 120 runs @ 20.00, including 69 v Hawkesbury 
• Derek Arnberger and Mark Freeman set a Grade Record 2nd Wicket Partnership of 141 v Fairfield 

Runs for: 1923 Wickets lost 100 Average 19.23

Runs against: 2654 Wickets taken 114 Average 23.28 

Fifth Grade (11th-30 pts) 

Fifth Grade saw the return of the experienced Tom Lavelle as captain. He reported: “Not enough runs! Only one player, Hratch Sekzenian, passed 200 runs for the season and no-one scored a century. However, the team won three of the last four games indicating that the Penrith Fifths will be a force to be reckoned with next summer.” 

Glen Dixon, David Williams, Scott Dickson, Steve McKenzie and Tony Beacroft all showed class and technique and were promoted to Fours. Players who came up from Sixth Grade and performed well were all-rounders Brett Wheeldon and Ian Schofield, and keeper Steve Mitchell. 

Highlights 

• Hratch Sekzenian scored 204 runs @ 18.55, including 70* v Fairfield 
• John Thomas scored 177 runs @ 29.50, including 62 v Balmain and 60 v Campbelltown; promoted to Fourths 
• Glen Dixon (five innings) scored 150 runs @ 37.50, including 95 v Bankstown and 51 v Wests; took six wickets @ 13.50 
• David Williams (three innings) scored 149 runs @ 49.60, including 80 v Hawkesbury 
• Brett Wheeldon (five innings) scored 140 runs @ 35.00, including 62* v Petersham and 54 v Wests; took 11 wickets @ 16.18, including 5/35 v Sydney Uni 
• Tom Lavelle took 21 wickets @ 20.63, including 5/41 v Fairfield 
• Steve Benic took 19 wickets @20.63, including 5/62 v Parramatta and 5/83 v Waverley

Runs for: 2064 Wickets lost 117 Average 19.56

Runs against: 2278 Wickets taken 110 Average 22.74 

Sixth Grade 

This was a raw, young team, captained by one of the ‘cricketing Martins’, Keith. When cricket resumed in the district after World War II, Keith’s father Jim was Secretary of the Emu Plains Club. Keith played there, as did his son Paul, who moved through the junior Reps from Foster Shield to Watson Shield, the teams coached all the way by Keith. He also managed Penrith’s AW Green Shield teams, and was a Combined Green Shield selector. He was a well-respected committeeman and a regular on the football parking. His work with this team was quite remarkable. Of the 21 boys registered 12 had never played senior cricket before, yet, after one complete Round of seven matches, the team was leading the Competition. By Round eight six ‘original’ players were firmly established in either Fourth or Fifth Grade. A success story, but it did weaken the team, which finished just out of the four. 

Highlights 

• Mark Dixon scored 207 runs @ 51.75, including 71* v Springwood; promoted to Fifths 
• Shaun Morphett scored 175 runs @ 29.16, including 66 v Cavaliers 
• Paul Martin (four innings) scored 155 @ 51.69, including 73* v Leagues and 52 v Springwood; promoted to Fifths 
• Ian Schofield (only innings) scored 89* v Cavaliers; promoted to Fifths 
• Steve Mitchell (three innings) scored 99 runs @ 49.50, including 88 v Springwood; promoted to Fifths 
• Brett Wheeldon (five innings) scored 130 runs @ 43.30, including 67 v Springwood; promoted to Fifths Schoolboy call-up Wes Ball (four innings) scored 62 runs @ 15.50, including 59 v Colyton 
• David Cole was the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets @ 27.94 

Runs for: 1563 Wickets lost 68 Average 22/98

Runs against: 1981 Wickets taken 85 Average 23.30 

Poidevin-Gray 

A team that on paper looked strong, and got off to a flying start with a 228 to 225-run win over the previous year’s premiers North Sydney, eventually suffered through indifferent batting and patchy bowling. Manager Ron Halse noted: “Somehow we lost our momentum. The second game against Gordon the Panthers were 3/80 and looking good for 200, however we lost our last seven wickets for 23. Gordon 6/106. A change of tactics in Round three saw us send Northern District in to bat and at 0/105 things looked bleak. A great fight back, all out 169, offered hope. At 2/45 off 12 overs we were looking good, but ... at 10/98 off 36.4 we were finished. Round four against Mosman we looked good: Michael Wholohan (102) and Andrew Williams (62) pushed the total to a challenging 7/235. Mosman coasted to 6/238. One sliver of optimism: most of the squad were available again. 

Highlights 

• Michael Wholohan scored 153 runs @ 38.25 
• Andrew Williams scored 129 runs @ 32.25 
• Jason Penrose scored 109 @ 36.33, including 67 v North Sydney 
• Tony Kershler scored 50 v Northern District; best bowling 2/38 v Mosman 
• Greg Sheens took eight wickets @ 18.25, best 3/14 v Gordon
• Tony Dukes took six wickets @ 24.06, best 3/28 v North Sydney 

Runs for: 664 Wickets lost 33 Average 20.12

Runs against: 738 Wickets taken 29 Average 25.17 

Green Shield 

With 20 Clubs now in the Grade competition there was a new format for the AW Green Shield: four divisions playing five matches. Realistically, to make the Semis the team had to win all five matches. Prospects looked good; our combination included Hratch Sekzenian, Ian Schofield and Steve Burns with Grade experience. 

In Round one we scored 230 against Fairfield, but rain hit with them 3/64. We lost to Hawkesbury, then had an exciting one-run win over Parramatta, lost to Campbelltown and beat Bankstown. Bruce Hill from Newcastle was the outstanding player and was selected in the NSW U/16 side that played in the Inter-state carnival in Perth. Manager Keith Martin said in his report: “To cap off the season I organized a match between our Green Shield side and the local NDCA U/15 Representative side. The game was played at Cook Park on a Sunday and was won by the Rep side. I consider this to be a very good sign of things to come and believe we should conduct this game on an annual basis.” A good idea at the time, and one that should have signalled more glue between the Juniors and the Grade Club. But passing summers and changing administrations, but in the main cricket overload, soon dampened the passion for a good idea. 

Highlights 

• Bruce Hill scored 192 runs @ 48.00. including 62 v Bankstown, 60 v Parramatta and 50 v Fairfield; took nine wickets @ 21.11, best 4/78 v Campbelltown 
• Steve Burns scored 57* v Bankstown; took 11 wickets @ 11.45, best 4/20 v Bankstown 
• Darren Godwin took 19 wickets @ 18.00, best 3/62 v Bankstown 

Runs for: 576 Wickets lost 41 Average 14.04

Runs against: 724 Wickets taken 51 Average 14.19