Jeff Culverson

Jeff Culverson is a foundation member of Orange City Club and attended the inaugural meeting in 1967 when Booms and Waratahs decided to combine to form this club. Jeff started his senior cricket with Clergate Club, and Clergate is only a small village but has produced some of the best cricketers to play in the ODCA and MDCA competitions. Jeff was an outstanding all-rounder who at his top was a fearsome opening bowler who managed to extract life out of the flattest of pitches and he also has several notable centuries to his name to prove his ability as a batsman. He was also a well-respected leader and was appointed of Orange in 1977 and Western Districts the following season as well as being captain of the Orange City's top grade side. Jeff was a loyal representative player for Orange and Western Districts (now Mitchell Council) and apart from a short period with Northern Districts in Sydney Grade, Jeff was always available in club cricket in both the ODCA and MDCA Sunday competition. Playing for Orange City in both competitions, he formed a fearful combination with Steve Bernard and Paul Fanning to terrorise many a local batsman as well as district players in Western Districts and Grinsted Cup cricket. Jeff was selected to tour Otago (NZ) with the Western Districts Colts in 1969 in a team that contained fellow Orange City players Stuart Webster, Bob Thomas, Keith Maiden, Steve Bernard, Bob Oakley and Dick Manuel as well as Carl Sharpe the team Co-Manager. Jeff accepted a position as a senior selector for Western Districts in 1984 and held that position for five years until 1989 and again in 1993 for one year. He was appointed co-manager of the Western Districts touring teams to Otago in 1986-1988 and the 1986 team contained fellow Orange City players Bruce Tom and Greg Seib while Frank Weymouth was also a member of the 1988 team. Jeff was a member of the club’s touring team to New Zealand in December 1979 and was also a member of the club team on our inaugural tour to Fiji at the end of the 1990 season. A career highlight for Jeff was when he was chosen in the NSW Western Country team to play the at Wade Park on December 2, 1981. The West Indies scored 6/235 with Jeff capturing 3/54 from nine overs and included the of , and Derek Murray. Jeff then combined with Bob Oakley who top scored with 78 and Jeff and Bob featured in a partnership of 65 in 28 minutes with Jeff contributing an aggressive 21.

In first grade cricket for the club Jeff took an amazing 377 wickets at 16.15 and scored 3282 runs at 19.54 in his 168 . Jeff occupied the position of club president in 1988 and 1989 and was awarded Life Membership on August 18, 1981, he still takes an active interest in club matters up to the current season. He’s a loyal clubman whose feats will long be remembered as he looks forward to celebrating 50 years as an Orange City Warrior.

Written and compiled by Carl Sharpe