Parramatta District Cricket Club – A Glimpse into the Past. Part 1
Parramatta District Cricket Club | December 11, 2024
An interesting exercise is to troll back into the Club’s past and randomly select a few matches to provide current players and members with a glimpse into what has gone by in the past:
1983/84 First Grade v. Sutherland at Caringbah Oval – Parramatta enjoyed an overwhelming outright victory over a shell-shocked ‘Shire Team’ – Parramatta started proceedings with a rousing total of 326 that was built on the aggressive batting efforts of Kenny Gentles 93, John Affleck 75, Mark Sargent 53, and former State player Len Richardson 30. When their turn came to bat the ‘Sharks’ had no answer to the Parramatta attack and wickets tumbled quickly to see the local all out for a meagre 31 – left-arm pacemen Steve Moss 6/11 and Matt Bugg 4/22 doing the damage – Sutherland’s second dig fared little better and they collapsed for 80 – this time medium-pacer and future Test Umpire Rodney Tucker (pictured) was the major wrecker with 5/22 with strong support from right-arm paceman Gary Oakes who snared 4/35 – outright victory by an innings and 215 runs.
1947 First Grade v. Manly at Manly Oval – The ‘shoe was on the other foot’ when Cumberland came up against a strong Manly team and they were well and truly cleaned up on rain-damaged wicket. In their first innings Cumberland could only muster 42 with Richie Benaud 16 not out the top-score, Manly then also found the going tough and struggled to 5/61 before declaring (Fred Wright 3/36 and Arthur Howell 2/18). Second time around Cumberland again couldn’t master the conditions nor the Manly bowlers to succumb for a disastrous total of 31 (George Clarke 11) and Manly duly collected outright points after making 0/15 in their 2nd innings.
1931/32 First Grade v. Manly at the S.C.G. – This match again saw the Cumberland team achieve a resounding outright win, engineered by the spirited contributions of their three players with Sheffield Shield experience (Charlie Nicholls, Marc Bosley, and Len Leabeater). Manly crumbled in their first trip to the crease for 41 – strapping fast bowler Nicholls snatching 7/28 (6 overs) and left-hand swing bowler Bosley snapped up 2/15 – Cumberland then marched out and ‘rattled up’ 3/218 decl. – Len Leabeater providing a polished 110* and R. Evans a fine 66, and in the process they added 166 runs for the 3rd wicket – Manly improved in their second knock making 113 with the combination of Nicholls 5/28 and Bosley 4/48 again causing the “Seasiders” downfall.
Second Grade 1984/85 v. Sydney at Old Kings Oval – In an extremely high scoring match played on a superb OKO batting wicket Parramatta clawed their way to an unlikely victory after Sydney posted a commanding total of 6/384 decl. [paceman Steve Stewart claimed 4/66]. Parramatta applied themselves to the huge challenge with great resolution and were able to take match honours after they managed to make 5/385 – the team’s great effort was bankrolled by ‘wonderful under pressure’ batting from the experienced and rugged left-hander Mark A. Ward who produced a belligerent 114 and the promising young opener Mark Crittenden who compiled a determined 109 – they featured in a partnership of 143.
Fourth Grade 1973/74 v. University of NSW at Old Kings Oval- Cumberland dominated a low scoring match and recorded a notable outright win that was principally due to the devastating bowling of tenacious fast-medium bowler Mick Haire and the sturdy left-arm paceman Tony Tully. UNSW crashed for just 50 in their first dig (Tully 6/21 & Haire 3/28), Cumberland then replied with 6/54 decl. (Chris Gardoll 24) and sent the students back to the crease where they were promptly demolished for meagre total of 37 (Haire 5/19 & Tully 5/16) – Cumberland knocked off the 35 runs needed for the outright win with the loss of two wickets.
Third Grade 1933/34 v. Paddington at Lidcombe Oval – In a high scoring match for a 3rd grade game of that era, Cumberland after registering a massive score week 1 had to fight ‘tooth and nail’ on week 2 to withstand a relentless Paddington and secure a hard fought draw. Cumberland 8/380 decl. (Roy Baxter stole the show with a stroke-filled 154 and was well supported by Ed Denneen 47, Harry McNamara 40 and Jack Tenie 36) looked to have achieved a winning total, but alas the Paddo boys thought otherwise and at stumps on day 2 were 9/355 (Bernie Jackson 3/51 & Ron Lewis 3/47).
(By Tom Wood – Club historian)
