Waratahs win 1985/86 Poidevin Gray Title
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | December 31, 2024
Our last PGs title came in the 1985/86 season.
It has been a long-time in-between drinks. We won our first title in 1949-50 and had won a PGs Premiership every decade leading up to 1985/86.
The team was led by batter Peter Wilkins who led both the total runs and best average categories with 191 runs at 47.75, closely followed by Tim Blank who hit 137 runs at 45.66. With only 5 rounds, one of which was washed out, and a final, they did not play a whole lot compared to today’s PGs competition.
The Tahs defeated Campbelltown, Parramatta, Fairfield and Hawkesbury, with the washout against Penrith. Geez talk about making travel hard for players…. what a draw.
The final was against Waverley, a much more pleasant trip for both sides, and was played at North Sydney Oval.
After Scott Barclay went for 14 runs off the first over, the nerves were settled with the wicket of the prized Waverley batter by Scott Dobbie. Angus Johnson and Jeff Atherton bowled well, but it was Dobbie who was the best of the bowlers despite only taking one wicket with figures of 1 for 28 off his 10 over.
193 to chase.
Richard Fry and Neil Tuckerman opened the batting. Tuckerman went early strangled down the leg side, and after a bit of resistance Fry also departed. A few more quick wicket and the Waratahs were in deep trouble.
However, Wilkins played an immense captains knock, scoring 77 to get the Tahs home although only after some more hairy moments. With 8 wickets down, Angus Johnson hit the winning runs and was awarded Man of the Match.
It was a great team victory and one that all players remember fondly.
However, tragedy struck the side with the death of Scott Dobbie not long after the victory. Scott was, by far, the best bowler during our march through the series. His quiet demeanor cloaked a total dedication to achieve for the team and his teammates alike.
As Team Manager Neville Johnson wrote in the Annual Report, “The tragic loss of Scott Dobbie will remain with us, long after the joys of being the Poidevin-Grey Shield winners have faded.”
Team Left to Right:
Standing: Jim Stewart (President), G. Evans, L. Pedrola, B. Minnett, J. Atherton, R. Murray, N. Johnston (Manager)
Sitting: A, Johnston, S. Barclay, P. Wilkins (Captain), R, Fry, T. Blank
Missing: B. Meredith, S. Glassock, N. Tuckerman
Deceased: S. Dobbie
