The match that signalled the arrival of Campbelltown First Grade Team
Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club | April 26, 2024
Round 6 vs Bankstown (30/11/85 & 1/12/85)
(by Paul Bourke “Bourkey” First Grade Cap No 3.)
Campbelltown made an encouraging entry into the Sydney First Grade Competition in the 1985/6 season. Round 1 saw a solid win (by 81 runs) over another newcomer Hawkesbury, and Round 2 resulted in a draw after Day 2 was washed out. This game was evenly poised against Fairfield who were also in their debut season. Round 3 against the strong Penrith team exposed several deficiencies in our play but rain saved us to escape with a draw. Round 4 against Parramatta really rammed home how far we were off the pace against a solid, competitive side. To lose 7/11 in the last hour of play on a good batting wicket illustrated the lack of depth in our batting line up as we were beaten outright.
Round 5 against a young and emerging Sutherland side saw some important changes made in our side. Schoolboy batsman Scott Grant made his debut as well as all-rounder Barry Thebridge (pictured). Both strengthened our batting and fielding but most importantly Thebridge gave us a valuable second spinner option. Our best bowler, leg spinner Tom Shiner, desperately needed a spinning partner as well as a better fielding team. Victory against Sutherland (by 97 runs) with Thebridge taking 6/49 was a positive sign but we all knew the next game was a big one. All-rounder Bernie Reeve made his debut in Round 6 against Bankstown.
Bankstown hosted us in a two day game and they were at full strength. This included Steve and Mark Waugh, dominant batsman Rod Bower, former Shield bat Bob Vidler, proven opening bat Gary Crowfoot and a strong bowling attack. This was going to be a huge test. Winning the toss and batting most of our batsmen made a start but all except Number 5 Craig Peck failed to go on with it. The fourth wicket 68 run partnership between Scott Grant (34) and Peck enabled the score to reach 4/136 with the game evenly balanced. Another wicket brought Barry Thebridge and Peck together and they added an invaluable 57 runs before the former was unfortunately run out for 23. Peck continued his impressive innings and added another 39 runs with keeper Rod Lillis and an undefeated 30 runs with Bob Wellham, who played smart. After 95 overs a compulsory declaration took place but the score of 7/263 was something that made the game very competitive. Peck was most unfortunate to finish on 97 not out as his innings certainly deserved a century. Clever running between the wickets and strong stroke-play, particularly square of the wicket, were the highlights in a terrific innings that included two sixes and 10 fours.
Opening bowler John Sullivan bowled a very hostile and successful first spell. Mark Waugh was run out as he attempted to get off strike from Sullivan by taking a quick single in the covers. Peck pounced on the opportunity and effected a great run out as Waugh was sent back by his partner. Shortly afterwards Sullivan hit the stumps to dismiss Crowfoot and have Bankstown under pressure at 2/23. With Steve Waugh and Bower now together the game was really on. They batted sensibly as you would expect from two quality players and added 56 runs before a big moment in the match occurred. Waugh is particularly strong on the back foot in the point region and he went back to cut off spinner Thebridge. The ball gripped and spun back to hit leg stump in what was a huge breakthrough. Captain Ian Davis read the conditions to perfection, and basically bowled his two spinners for the rest innings. Shiner and Thebridge created great pressure with the former dismissing Vidler to an offside bat pad catch (Peck again) then shortly afterwards gaining an LBW decision against the number 6 bat. At 5/116 Bankstown were in trouble but they did bat deep and the dangerous Bower was still at the crease. The next big moment occurred when Shiner deceived Bower in flight and he hit in the air to Bernie Reeve to dismiss him for a well-made 65. 6/137 and with the spinners well on top was always going to be a challenge for the lower order. This proved to be the case as wickets fell steadily to have Bankstown dismissed for 185. This was a huge victory (by 78 runs) as the conditions were identical for both teams (Saturday/Sunday game) and the match was won on merit.
Craig Peck
Peck had an outstanding game while the performances of Shiner (5/61 off 28 overs) and Thebridge (2/52 off 28.4) were also first class. Early wickets are always important and Sullivan’s opening spell set up our bowling performance. Importantly all players contributed to a strong performance in the field in what was a clear signal that Campbelltown was ready to compete in the First Grade Competition. The rest of the season saw some memorable victories including those over defending premiers St George (62 runs) in Round 7, Sydney University (102 runs), Petersham (16 runs) and Western Suburbs (runners up in 1984/5 by 12 runs) as the team fell just short of making the top 4 play offs. To finish 6th from 20 teams was indeed a strong debut season. The 14 competition games ended with 7 first innings wins, 3 losses on first innings, one outright loss and 3 washed out draws. Well done to Captain Ian Davis, and all who represented Campbelltown First Grade (and other teams and club officials) in their inaugural year in the Sydney Grade Competition.
Round 6 vs Bankstown at Bankstown Oval Saturday 30/11/85 and Sunday 1/12/85
Toss won by Campbelltown who batted
Campbelltown Innings
Ian Davis (c) c Andrews b S Waugh 11
Graham Tink c Andrews b S Cusick 13
Paul Bourke c Freedman b T Sullivan 26
Scott Grant c Andrews b M Waugh 34
Craig Peck not out 97
Bernie Reeve c Bower b C Sinclair 2
Barry Thebridge run out 23
Rod Lillis (w/k) c Sinclair b S Waugh 10
Bob Wellham not out 16
John Sullivan dnb
Tom Shiner dnb
Sundries 31
Total 7 declared 263 from 95 overs
Steve Waugh 2/43 from (21 overs), Tim Sullivan 1/56 (17), Shane Cusick 1/36 (16), David Freedman 0/53 (14), Mark Waugh 1/49 (15), Craig Sinclair 1/9 (12)
Bankstown Innings
Mark Waugh run out 12
Gary Crowfoot b Sullivan 8
Rod Bower c Reeve b Shiner 68
Steve Waugh b Thebridge 24
Bob Vidler c Peck b Shiner 7
Andrew Divall LBW Shiner 8
Craig Sinclair run out 21
Tim Sullivan c Reeve b Thebridge 25
Shane Cusick LBW Shiner 2
David Freedman LBW Shiner 4
Les Andrews (w/k) not out 0
Sundries 9
Total 10/185 from 70.4 overs
John Sullivan 1/31 (7), Bob Wellham 0/34 (7), Barry Thebridge 2/52 (28.4), Tom Shiner 5/61 (28)
First Innings Win Campbelltown
This game was pretty intense. John Sullivan bowled really well (and quick) and the combination of Tom Shiner and Barry Thebridge was hard to score off. Bridge usually flighted the ball but was pretty flat that day on a deck that turned. Tommy was quicker through the air than most leggies of his era and bowled a great toppie. I had played at Penrith with both of them (and Craig Peck too), so I knew it would be a challenge. A funny moment was an exchange I overheard between Tom and umpire Rocky Harris--an excellent umpire and a character too. Fielders were packed around the bat and there was lots of chat and appeals. After one unsuccessful shout, Tom looked at Rocky with a smile and said 'One in three today Rocky?' Rocky's reply was a knowing grin and a shrug. At the end of the over I asked Rocky what it meant. Apparently, in some previous games, the appealing by the Campbelltown bowlers and close fielders was so relentless Rocky had told Tommy he was only going to look at every third one until they calmed down! The knock by Pecky was a cracker. He was a non-stop talker at the crease, and as hard as you tried not to laugh or get involved, it was impossible. Rod Bower showed all his class in top scoring for us.