Mosman Cricket Club Poidevin Gray 1973-74 Premiers - 50 year reunion

Mosman Cricket Club | November 26, 2023

Fifty years ago, Mosman’s Poidevin-Gray side won the competition undefeated in its six matches.

Eight members of that 1973-74 team enjoyed their 50-year reunion yesterday. Unfortunately, two members of the original 11 had since passed away and two were uncontactable.

Whilst several of the team went on to have long and illustrious careers with the MCC and at higher levels of cricket, one player achieved a feat in the competition which will probably never be replicated… and it was not Allan Border.

Alexander Racklyeft (‘Sandy’) was an opening bowler who swung the ball both ways and at good pace. He took an amazing 51 wickets at an average of 6.6 in six matches. ! Bear in mind these were one-day matches, (60overs each) but you could win outright, and the final was a two-day game over consecutive Sundays.

The rules did not have any restrictions, you could bat as long as you wanted and could go for an outright if you were good enough. Mosman won three of their matches outright, including the final after being behind on 1st innings.

Among Sandy’s haul were 8-8 and 8-26 against Randwick. 8-22 against Balmain, 8-70 against Wests, including a hat trick, and 5-36 and 5-56 v Cumberland (now Parramatta) in the Final.

The team also had an impressive batting line up, with the top five all in Mosman’s 1st Grade team at the time.

Pictured 25 November 2023:

Standing: Greg Davies, Leigh Clapham, Allan Border, Sandy Racklyeft, Barry Hyland, Robert Jeffery, Jim Tait (Manager), Greg Bush.

Seated: Greg Simpson

Match Scorecard