Over fifty years ago, on October 9, 1971, Northern Suburbs young enigmatic batsman, Geoff Clark, pounded a scintillating 147 against the strong East Canberra bowling line-up at Kingston in a first grade match.

Clark’s innings was the stuff of folklore at Northies when I was younger, however, this promising player was one of the most nervous starters I’ve seen, which is backed up by his career stats of 25 ducks from 154 innings, a duck innings percentage of 16.23.

Apart from the odd fifty and presumably due to those nervous yips, Geoff never emulated this epic innings again in a match, however, he was arguably the greatest net batsman I’ve ever seen.

On Tuesday and Thursday practice evenings, when there was no pressure on being dismissed, ‘Clarky’ would advance the fastest bowlers, hooking and driving with clinical precision and bravado like a man possessed.

It was a shame that in the middle where it counted, nerves really did stifle a batting career that, early on, promised greatness.

Clark was also infamous for being called for throwing nine times in three overs by the square leg umpire in the 1977 first grade Grand Final at Manuka Oval, for Norths against the eventual winners Western District.

This would come as no surprise to Norths members, as Clark was notorious on the dodgy club practice wickets for generating lift, cut and nasty pace, with an action that resembled a baseball pitcher.

There is no doubt that the offending umpire in that Final could have called every delivery a no ball, however, after three overs, Norths captain Graeme Smith mercilessly pulled Clark out of the attack and destined him forever to terrorising batsmen in the practice nets.