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Neil Davidson
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Neil Davidson

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Life Member of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club - NSW Premier Cricket

Western Suburbs First Grade Player No 451

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answered
Q: Mark Van Epen – my best captain

The best captain I played under was Keith Stimson at Balmain.

He was captain of the 3rd grade team at around 50 years of age. He played many years of first grade as a successful left hand bat and captained the 1st grade team for a number of seasons leading them to the 1st grade premiership in 1967/68. His oozed experience on the field and in the dressing shed.

He was always calm and read the game well, knowing when to attack, when to defend and when to try something different. He had the respect of the players through example and knew how to get the best out of his players.

Keith’s two best leadership qualities were reading the situation of the game and man management.

One specific example of his leadership was in a game against Uni of NSW in which we had 6 overs to get 55 runs to win outright. I wasn’t confident we could do it, but Keith was always positive and looking for a way to win.

I was an opening batsman and Keith batted 6. Keith said, “Mark you and I are opening, and we are going to get these runs”. After 5 and half overs we got the runs at 0-56, I was 5 not out and Keith was 51 not out.

Keith was a life member of the Balmain District Cricket Club and the new Sydney Cricket Club. He passed away in 2018, aged 92.
A: I played against Keith Stimson in the early 70's at Pratten Park. He was Captain of the Balmain 2nd Grade side at the time and we were batting on a very placid pitch in 100 degree heat. It was a swelter. Balmain did not field well in the first hour of play and when Jack Kelleard took out the icy cold cordial after the first hour of play, Keith ordered that no Balmain player was to have a drink due to the slack fielding. As I remember things didn't improve for Balmain that day but it showed how tough the old bugger was and it is someting that has stuck with me to this day. Neil Davidson
answered
Q: Vale Keith Wyatt

The Western Suburbs District Cricket Club family is sad to hear of the loss of Western Suburbs first grade player #414, Keith Wyatt.

Keith debuted against Waverley on October 9th., 1965, playing 55 first grade games. between 1965-66 and 1969-70.

In his 60 innings, with 4 not out, Keith scored 1,128 runs at an average of 20.14. His top score was 105.

A contemporary of Wests legends Alan Davidson, Bob Simpson, Wally Wellham and Graham Corling, Keith was a member of the first Team to win the Rothmans Knock-Out Competition in 1967-68 (pictured).

Keith Wyatt enjoyed good health until recently and passed away this week at age 79 in the Grafton Hospital.

We send our sincere condolences to his son, Neil, and the Wyatt Family.

Keith Wyatt’s funeral is expected to be on Friday, December 8th., with full details to follow.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/161/western-suburbs-district-cricket-club-sydney/blog/1764/vale-keith-wyatt
A: Very sorry to hear the news of Keith’s passing. He was a larger than life character who always had a smile on his face. He was an integral part of a golden era of Wests Cricket!
Sadly missed.
answered
Q: Recently I found my dad’s (Alan Davidson) 1st Grade Premiers Cap of 1948-49 for Northern District Cricket Club and the letter from the club Secretary advising him of his selection in the First Grade Team at the start of the season.
Dad was working at the Commonwealth Bank in Gosford at the time and living in Lisarow.
The letter dated 19 September 1948 goes like this.

Dear Mr Davidson,
Tonight the selectors chose you in our First Grade Eleven for the match at Waitara on Saturday, 25/9/48, subject to your being able to be on the ground at the correct starting time, viz 1-30pm. This applies every Saturday during the season.
You have also been chosen in our First Eleven for the Eight Hour Day Match at Waitara commencing at 10am sharp.
Much as we would be pleased to have your services, I am sure that you will appreciate the fact that your attendance on time is very necessary and in view of your discussion with Mr Caldwell on the difficulties of your transport, the selectors have requested that you make your position known to me at the earliest possible moment so as we can make any adjustments necessary.
With Kind Regards
Yours faithfully
Hon Sec

Apparently, Dad’s father Keith would wait outside the Bank in Gosford where dad worked on Saturday mornings until 10am, with the engine of his old Ford Model, a crank start car running, so as to get to Waitara on time.
He finished the first season, winning the competition and winning the clubs and Sydney bowling averages with 38 wickets at 14.2 apiece and becoming the youngest person in history to do it.
A: Thanks Richard. Yes going well. Blick Oval was always a good ground to play at. I think I remember that game, I think it was a close finish and I remember AK being there. Cheers Neil
question
Q: Recently I found my dad’s (Alan Davidson) 1st Grade Premiers Cap of 1948-49 for Northern District Cricket Club and the letter from the club Secretary advising him of his selection in the First Grade Team at the start of the season.
Dad was working at the Commonwealth Bank in Gosford at the time and living in Lisarow.
The letter dated 19 September 1948 goes like this.

Dear Mr Davidson,
Tonight the selectors chose you in our First Grade Eleven for the match at Waitara on Saturday, 25/9/48, subject to your being able to be on the ground at the correct starting time, viz 1-30pm. This applies every Saturday during the season.
You have also been chosen in our First Eleven for the Eight Hour Day Match at Waitara commencing at 10am sharp.
Much as we would be pleased to have your services, I am sure that you will appreciate the fact that your attendance on time is very necessary and in view of your discussion with Mr Caldwell on the difficulties of your transport, the selectors have requested that you make your position known to me at the earliest possible moment so as we can make any adjustments necessary.
With Kind Regards
Yours faithfully
Hon Sec

Apparently, Dad’s father Keith would wait outside the Bank in Gosford where dad worked on Saturday mornings until 10am, with the engine of his old Ford Model, a crank start car running, so as to get to Waitara on time.
He finished the first season, winning the competition and winning the clubs and Sydney bowling averages with 38 wickets at 14.2 apiece and becoming the youngest person in history to do it.
answered
Q: What is the most surreal moment you've experienced in cricket?
A: Scoring my maiden First Grade Century at Manuka Oval against a very good Queanbeyan side that included players like John Bull and the great Neil Bulger. I remember being on 98 and slashing at one, getting a thick edge and looking back to see it going wide of the slips for 4. It was as if a giant weight was lifted from my shoulders. No more expectation.

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