A Day to Remember – Parramatta v St George 2019
Parramatta District Cricket Club | March 11, 2025
On Saturday 19th October 2019 the Parramatta District Cricket Club did battle with the famous St. George club on day 1 of round 3 of the Sydney Premier Grade competition, and it was a day to remember for the ‘two-blues’ – via several exhilarating batting exploits, including a record-breaking partnership in 3rd grade.
The highlights were:
Second Grade –
Although out of the 1st Grade ranks due to a knee injury preventing him from unleashing his normal thunderbolts, Scott Copperfield (pictured) has given club selectors ‘food for thought’ by reminding them that he is certainly ‘no slouch with the bat’ by blasting a brilliant 206 not out (25 x 4, 4 x6) in just 239 balls an innings of class. In the process he shared a massive 4th wicket partnership of 271 runs with the very impressive young stroke-maker Harrison King who produced his maiden 2nd grade century 122 (16 x 4) – Harry backed this up the next day with 90 not out in the Poidevin-Gray Shield match v. Penrith – the stand was not far short of Parramatta’s record 2nd grade 4th wicket partnership of 298 set in 1933/34 by Gil Cole and Bob Mullinger. Parramatta declared their innings at a healthy 4/386.
Third Grade –
Records did tumble in 3rd grade however, powerful new recruit Zac Johns smashed a blistering 180 not out (20 x4, 3 x6) in his first match for the club, and combined with the equally enterprising Evan Pitt 103 not out (14 x4, 1 x6) to create a new record Parramatta 3rd grade 5th wicket partnership of an unbroken 234 runs – eclipsing the old mark of 226 set in 1996/97 by John Mahoney and Dan Hull.
Fourth Grade –
In 4th grade 50-year-old veteran and team skipper Paul Calvert notched up a crafty 103 (13 x 4) v. St. George and this deed enabled him to join a band of ‘Old Stagers’ who made centuries for Parramatta at an advanced age:
- Sam Stone – at 51 years made 109* v. University and 102 v. Mosman – 4th Grade in 1939/40.
- Sam Stone – at 50-years made 175 v. Waverly – 4th Grade in 1938/39.
- Alfred W. Hall – at 50-years made 102 v. North Sydney – 4th Grade 1950/51.
- Paul Calvert – at 50-years made 103 v. St. George – 4th Grade 2019/20.
- E.L. Waddy – at 48-years made 123 v. Randwick – 1st Grade 1926/27.
- Sam Stone – at 48-years made 227 v. Randwick – Shires 1936/37.
- Bert Alderson – at 47-years made 107 v. Gordon – 2nd Grade 1970/71.
- Stan Teale – at 46-years made 100 v. Cumberland “B” – 5th Grade 1974/75.
By Tom Wood – Club Historian
