Ronnie Halse - member of Penrith's first ever First Grade Premiership

Penrith Cricket Club | September 15, 2024

Ron Halse is cap number 41 for the Penrith First Grade team and is a part of the furniture at Penrith Cricket Club. He was a member of the club's inaugural First Grade Premiership team and in the many years since has contributed enormously to the success of the club. He has captained and mentored lower grade teams, been on the committee as the President and Cricket Manager and in recent years has been the Chairman of Selectors. The club owes a debt of gratitude for the support he has provided. We get to know him a little better below.

What year were you born?

1953

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

Yes, I was 9 years old playing in the U/10’s for St Georges Marsfield and we lost, we were bowled out for 1.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Junior cricket in the NSW Churches comp. Progressed to join Northern District’s in 1968, initially selected in City and Suburban. Spent the next 8 seasons there before linking up with Nepean, later to become Penrith, playing over the next 25 years.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?

1969 in the first ever NSWCA 5th grade comp for Northern Districts. We won the premiership. I was 16.

What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?

Yes, played First Grade with both Northern Districts and Penrith, winning the First Grade Premiership with Penrith in 1978/79 defeating St George. Contested the Final the following season unfortunately losing to a very strong Randwick outfit. My first First Grade game was for Northern Districts vs Bankstown, I think I took 1/26.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

Medium pace bowler who could contribute with the bat.

What were your strengths as a player?

Medium pace bowler who could swing the ball. Handy lower order batter.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

92 for Penrith at Rance Oval, Werrington.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

7/34 for Penrith v Western Suburbs at Blick oval.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Graeme Pitty (Bankstown and Penrith) Played with and against him. Graeme was a very quick, aggressive fast bowler who gave you no peace. Could swing the ball at pace. Michael Whitney, although not as quick as Graeme, was very aggressive. He was at you all the time and kept you guessing as to what was coming next. A great man to have a beer with after game. Richard Done, St George fast bowler, very quick and very accurate.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

David Hourn from Waverley, very deceptive and bowled a great flipper. Murray Bennett, very deceptive through the air and a great arm ball.

Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?

Alan Turner who made a double century against us in the 79/80 final. Such great concentration, couldn’t get one past his bat that day. Rick McCosker also had great concentration and a very good accumulator of runs. Scored a century against us at Howell oval and I remember looking up at the scoreboard thinking he was into the 30’s or 40’s, he was into the 90’s. Les Johns, again great concentration and a great accumulator of runs. Could easily have played State Cricket if not for Rugby League.

Alan Turner

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Again Alan Turner making a double century against us in the 79/80 Final. Such pure concentration and determination in a big game. Steve Small made 141 for us against Balmain. Pure aggression and domination of the opposing bowlers.

Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?

St George fast bowler Richard Done. Quick and accurate, a great bouncer.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?

Yes, my first First Grade game vs Bankstown at Waitara Oval (now Mark Taylor Oval). Batting against Lenny Pascoe at the end of our innings trying save the game was scary. We lost. My first second grade game vs a strong St George side at Hurstville Oval. Their team contained 4 ex State players. I managed to do well so that gave me a lot of confidence.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen first hand playing with or against?

No doubt Les Andrews who played for us in the late seventies. His keeping in our Premiership year (78/79) was outstanding. No byes during the whole season.

Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Ken (emu) Hall, clearly the best all-rounder I played with or against. Emu could do it all, bat, bowl and no better catcher in the slips. A fierce competitor who never took a backward step. Steve Small, such an aggressive batsman who could turn a game in the blink of an eye. Like Emu, never took a backward step. One of the best team men ever.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Neil Marks, taught me the game at Northern Districts. John Benaud at Penrith, could get the best out you without you knowing it. Both men were hard and uncompromising and tried to win every game they played, but also had high regard for the Spirit of the Game. No better tactical Captains than Harpo and JB.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Ken (Emu) Hall

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Lower grade match at Mosman. Trying to induce the batsman to hit out in search of victory by moving the field up from the outfield. The young player at first slip said to the batsman, “I bet you $20 you can’t get it over mid offs head. The batsman then duly tried to do it, hitting a simple catch to mid off. As the batsman trudged off, he turned and said, “do you take bankcard”.

Who was your childhood hero?

Tommy Raudonikis

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Roger Federer, Ash Barty, Sir Alex Ferguson.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Waitara Oval and Howell Oval.

What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?

Western Suburbs, always seemed to do well against them.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning the First Grade Premiership with Penrith in 1978/79

Back Row - Ken Hall, John Benaud (Captain), Peter Clough, Steve Small, Trevor Everest, Steve Frances;

Front Row - Tony Radanovic, Les Andrews, Ron Halse, Gary Donlan, David Laming, Graham Thorpe.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

Winning a lower grade Final with my son, his mates and my good mate Rod (Scorch) Evans in the team.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Four really, Rod Evans, Steve Small, Ken Hall and John Benaud.

What are your hobbies?

Sport generally, dabble in part ownership of a few thoroughbreds.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Never say never.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

Yes, still involved with Penrith assisting on the selection panel.

If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?

Ensure grass roots cricket is strong and there are sufficient numbers of kids playing the game. Provide more high level coaching to Junior Cricket.