ARTICLE 25

MARCH 29TH. 2013

South Barwon was the “sentimental favourite” last weekend to win its first GCA Division One premiership for 36 years but East-Belmont swept all aside to win its 7th. flag,6/278 to 195 all seven premierships gathered since South Barwon won its last flag in 1975-76.

East has a “strike rate” of a premiership every 6.7 seasons since it joined the competition in 1966-67 whilst South’s strike rate with its 5 flags is a premiership every 10.8 seasons, its five flags achieved during its 15 seasons “golden era” between 1961-62 to 1976-77. It was East-Belmont’s 10th straight consecutive win this season and South’s first loss in its last 9 games.

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South Barwon’s loss would have been particularly disappointing for champion batsman, Clinton Peake whose record 8855 runs @ 42.2 at Club 17 seasons failed to deliver a 1st.X1 premiership, his 869 runs @ a commanding 96.6 this season a South Barwon record and the fourth highest in GCA history behind Jack Sing (944 runs @ 118.0 for Geelong West in 1948-49), Len Metherell (928 runs @ 77.3 for Geelong Footballers in 1935-36) and Michael Bowtell (882 runs @ 73.5 for Newtown & Chilwell in 1979-80).

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Andrew Baars , a member of East-Belmont’s last premiership in 2005-06 proved he was a “big occasion player” in that finals series with 55 in that qualifying final, 73 in the semi and the brilliant double of 84 &6/49 in that grand final and did so again in this years grand final with the mixed fortunes of being dismissed for 99. It was the GCA’s 36th. score off 99 since Harold Nettle was the first in 1903-04 for Corio (Pre WW1) against Geelong A, but Baars’ 99 was the first scored in a grand final.

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South Barwon won the prestigious Club Championship, 93 points to second placed East-Belmont (82 points) which is a reflection on the quality of a club’s players over its 1st.X1, 2nd.X1, 3rd.X1 and 4th.X1 over the home-and-away season. However South endured further anguish after its 1st.X1, 2nd.X1 & 3rd.X1 finished on top of the ladder and its 4th.X1 finished third yet a premiership failed to be realised across all four sides, East-Belmont premiers in not just the 1st.X1 but also in its 4th.X1. South Barwon last won the Club Championship in its 1st.X1 premiership season of 1975- 76 and now has four to date, East-Belmont heading the Club Championship wins over the years since it was introduced in 1967-68 with eleven wins.

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This column has selected an unofficial “GCA Team of the Season”. Based on a minimum of 300 runs and 25 during the home-and-away season, the team below is in order and is captained by Jack Sing Medalist and Champion Player of the 2012-13 season, Gareth Yelland. With most dismissals for the season (24), the wicketkeeper is Michael Kelson.

PLAYER CLUB RUNS AVE WKTS AVE

B.O’Brien Leopold 587 53.4 4 25.5 E.Vines South Barwon 564 56.4 C.Bambury East-Belmont 488 69.7 10 31.2 S.Hall North Geelong 493 61.6 C.Peake South Barwon 690 98.6 3 11.3 S.Loftus Geelong West 360 51.4 G.Yelland Grovedale 326 32.6 42 14.4 B.Hauenstein South Barwon 215 35.8 25 17.6 K.Agg Geelong City 107 21.4 29 11.6 M.Kelson Grovedale 192 17.5 B.Tsitas Grovedale 99 14.1 28 22.4 S.Pearce (12th-bat) Grovedale 460 51.1 M.Richmond (12th- Lara 61 8.7 26 16.1 bowl)

DID YOU KNOW ?

To finish the season on a “light note”, a man was walking down Verner Street in East Geelong and he noticed a sign in a front garden saying “talking dog for sale”. The man was startled so he knocked on the owners front door and said “do you really have a talking dog for sale?”. Yes was the answer, “come and see him”. The man walked in and the Labrador said “G’day mate, how ye goin”. The man was completely shocked and said “how long have you been talking?’. The dog replied “all my life and I’ve had a great life touring the world with the Australian cricket team. My job was to wander into the opposition teams team meetings and report what I heard back to ”. The man was completely bewildered at what he had witnessed and said to the owner “how much do you want for the dog?” - $10 was the answer. “Only $10 – why said the man do you only want $10”. The owner replied, “because the dog is a bloody liar – he has never been outside the backyard” !!!

O’DOWD DECLARES

ARTICLE 24

MARCH 22ND. 2013

Interesting on looking back on previous grand finals…

100 YEARS AGO SEASON 1912-13

That season commenced just 6 months after the Titantic was doomed to the waters of the Atlantic ocean , however no finals matches were played as only four teams played in the GCA, being East-Geelong, West Geelong, Geelong A & Geelong B. In that season, the GCA played the Ballarat Cricket Association on Christmas Day at Corio Oval, the Ballarat CA returning the honour with a match on Good Friday.

In that season, Geelong Footballer, Bill Eason cut a swathe through opposition sides with 3 consecutive match- figures games of 15/84, 13/89 & 9/37. In round three, Allan Cordener, a cousin of the famous Football Club Cordener brothers played his debut match for Geelong A, his six game GCA career tragically cut short after being killed during the Battle of Lone Pine at Gallipoli in 1914.

With only four sides, the GCA policy of the day was there would be no finals matches resulting in East-Geelong winning the premiership with most wins for the season.

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50 YEARS AG0 1962-63

Sixteen year old Paul Sheahan played his one and only ever GCA 1st.X1 match in round 6, the promising teenager compiling according to the Geelong Addy scribe of the day, “an impressive 22 and 40 ” on debut for GWC&FC against Corio.

Geelong footballer and later to be Victorian Minister for Sport, Neil Trezise recorded his maiden and only to be century with 117no for GWC&FC against Newtown & Chilwell whilst West Indian speedster, Wesley Hall visited Geelong to demonstrate the art of fast adding, “you must be a good man before you become a good cricketer”. GWC&FC played North Geelong in the grand final ,GWC&FC the victors over North Geelong (known in those days as Corio.), Nipper Tresize top scoring for GWC&FC with 92, Ron Beaumont his opening bat partner a gallant 69, GWC&FC all out for 251 (Jack Sing Gordon McKay Murray Allen…1 ).

North responded with a gripping close total of 238, Peter Osborne leading the charge with 64.

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25 YEARS AGO -1987-88

Terry Bright, the only GCA 1st.X1 cricketer to play 200 games for & 200 GCA 1st.X1 games lost his during the season on 99 – to be the first player ever to be dismissed on 99 in a career 3 times. Jason Bakker celebrated his maiden century and Greg Wells achieved his 500th. wicket.

Newtown & Chilwell won the flag after a sensational tie in the semi final against Leopold, Newtown awarded the semi final match due to its higher position on the ladder.

Newtown played North Geelong and won with scores of 7/202 to 201. Geelong Football to-be Recruiting Manager, Steven Wells blasted 28 to launch Newtown to victory (Steven the record holder with 237 against East-Belmont the previous season), Michael Bowtell contributing an elegant 57 in a low scoring match, Glen Ward for 54 for North.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

In season 1939-40, the GCA 1st.X1 competition was increased from eight teams to ten teams the GCA committee decided in view of the enlarged size of the competition to allow the first four teams on the premiership ladder at the completion of the home-and-away to compete in “A grade” finals, whilst the next four teams on the premiership ladder would play fo the “B grade” premiership. Consequently, for season 1939-40 only, two teams from the same competition were premiers, Ford Motor Company in “A grade” and Geelong Footballers in “B grade).

ARTICLE 23

MARCH 15TH. 2013

East-Belmont marches further into its finals campaign this weekend with 8 wins in a row after overcoming a gallant North Geelong , 9/264 to 232 last weekend, East’s strong batting side curiously boasting just one centurian for the season when skipper Chris Bambury recorded 115no in round 6 against again curiously North

For North Geelong , many positives for the famous club this season, 16 year old Adam Costello making 44 on debut in round 9 against Grovedale, leg-spinner, Jack Hughes collecting figures of 5/18, 3/26, 3/55 ,4/72 and 3/43.

Leopold like North Geelong also crashed out of the finals in a dramatic match against Premiers favourite, South Barwon, being 1/90 overnight chasing a seemingly easy target of 146 but fell in a hole to be all out for 143. With star bat Rod Kiddle given out lbw for 3, and gun bat Ben O’Brien out for 20 after consecutive centuries, Leopold struggled, Marcus Stow gallant with 62 late in the innings, being his career best in 131 games and only the second time he had passed 50 in an innings.

South Barwon “got out of jail” with its lowest score of the season to win the match, Clinton Peake top scoring with 35 but Phil Halbish (4/42) and evergreen Brad Hauenstein (4/31) led their side to victory.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A “word of warning” to South Barwon this weekend , there is a star batsman “lurking in the background” and batting no 8 against you this weekend and his name is Garry Kelson. The all-time highest runmaker at Grovedale with 6377 runs @ 33.4 has made a remarkable “comeback” in his distinguished career at Grovedale this season. A duck in Grovedale’s semi-final in season 2009-10, one match the following season with another duck was followed by two games in 2011-12 with two more ducks. Recalled to Grovedale’s 1st.X1 this season in round 3 against Geelong West the worst possible scenario – another duck but to compound his sad demise – out lbw which is always questionable. But the star batsman from Grovedale has enjoyed batting lower in the order this season since round 3 and has put together scores of 35, 52, 76no, 21no and 58 last weekend in a truly great comeback, his average this season of 36.4 higher than his career average.

For this writer, Garry Kelson is “bread and butter” to me …He is the only man ever to compile 199 in an innings, against St.Josephs in 2002-03. He also made “a pair” in 1996-97 when English Test Cricketer Chris Lewis did the damage for Highton, Lewis playing just that one match and then sacked by Highton.

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Geelong crashed out of the finals for the first time in 6 seasons but a stat missed by most was the fact with Aaron Finch’s score 46 in the Cats lowly 156 against Northcote was the fact he passed 4000 Premier cricket runs in his career for Geelong which was a “significant double” with Marc Carson bagging 300 career wickets last round.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Wisden, the “Bible of Cricket” is 150 years old this season. John Wisden was a player for Kent, Middlesex and Sussex in his first-class career in the 1850’s with 4,140 runs @ 14.1 and 1,109 wickets at a brilliant 6.7 but he produced this Almanac which has continued uninterrupted to the present day, making it the longest running sports annual in history.

Ken Piesse , Cricket writer and author of great fame in Australian cricket is offering the 150th. edition at not the recommended price of $95 but $85.

If interested , Ken’s e-mail is [email protected].

“O’Dowd Declares” has no financial interest in the 150th. Edition, just promoting cricket.

ARTICLE 22

MARCH 8th. 2013

The coming winter months may be a long time for Highton sensation, Tejas Gupta as he waits for the next cricket season with great anticipation after taking 4/61 and compiling 30 on debut in the last home-and-away season match last week against Lara. An Indian lad in his early twenties and recruited from Guild 3 years ago he may be the answer to our woes in India at the moment! Highton started on a roll with a win over BPH in round no 1 and lost their next nine matches but won over a powerful Lara side in the last round, Lara, Premiers just 3 years ago having lost every game since Christmas (5 consecutive matches).

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Jack Sing’s long standing record of 901 runs @ 150.2 in 1948-49 was severely challenged by South Barwon star, Clinton Peake after he “jumped out of the blocks” with 519 runs in his first 5 innings at South but with “mediocre” scores following of 36, 44, 18, 41 & 32 and not playing in the final round due to a Country Week injury, his season was still spectacular with 690 runs @ 98.6, thus nudging Brad Hauenstein’s South Barwon previous record of 667 runs in a home-and-away season in 2008-09. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Speaking of South Barwon again, Eemonn Vines back to back exact hundreds ( 100 & 100no) are freakish but it’s the first time a South Barwon bat has hit 3 centuries in a season following his 122 in round 4 against Newtown & Chilwell, South Barwon having been affiliated in GCA since 1951-52.

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The challenge for the GCA Division One Premiership I think is wide open.

South Barwon has only lost one match this season against Geelong West but West was crushed by East-Belmont with its lowest score for years with 89 last Saturday.

East-Belmont has won its last 7 matches, Grovedale has won its last 5 on the trot whilst North Geelong comes into the finals with 4 consecutive losses against powerhouse clubs, Geelong West, Grovedale, South Barwon and lowly City, but “on the day” previous stats mean nothing.

I believe Leopold needs a big “tick” to make the finals but Lara requires more than wonderful Danny Hughes to carry their burden, Lara finishing second last on the ladder.

ARTICLE 21

MARCH 1ST. 2013

The Geelong Cricket Association returned from Country Week with two wins and two losses after continuing its policy under coach Peter Quick of his philosophy of having the best side available on the day by “fly-in fly- out” with 16 players playing over the four games, 20 players representing the GCA the previous season which clashes with the “old style” of 12 or maybe 13 of the “GCA best 1st.X1 players” to travel to Country Week.

Andrew Fergusson topped the batting aggregate with 129 runs at 64.5. With 57no & 58 he starred as a quality bat in his 3 games whilst evergreen 38 year-old Brad Hauenstein collected 10 wickets for the Carnival, Hauenstein having topped the bowling aggregates for the last 4 Carnivals, his 44 Country Week matches only headed by Glen Ward with 61, Rod Kiddle with 53 and Frank Pike with 52, Brad having won the GCA Country Aggregate number of wickets per Carnival a runaway record 7 times, surpassing GCA Legends George Schofield (5 times), and trio Lyle Allen, Bert Brown, Peter Quick & John Russell with 3 each.

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Leopold’s Ben O’Brien continues to star. With 127 last round against Geelong City his three tons this season with 105 against potential finalists North Geelong & 101 against Grovedale shows the class of the former Ex-Carlton star.

Only 3 batsmen have made 3 centuries in a season in Leopold’s 56 year history in GCA 1st.X1 cricket – surprise surprise !!! –The Kiddle brothers - both Darren & Rod – Darren doing so in 1993-94 and Rod the following season . The most career centuries at Leopold are again shared by the Kiddle brothers with 8 apiece.

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Memories to keep for two players in GCA 1st.X1 cricket last saturday – Highton’s Tejas Gupta captured 4/61 on debut against a strong Lara whilst in the same match, Les Sandwith notched his maiden Lara century of 105 no having been recruited from Ballarat this season but second-game player Stuart Forbes followed his 71 on debut last round with a brilliant 43 in game no two.

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DID YOU KNOW ? Former Australian batsman , a keen punter, but one who is allergic to horses, was a keen observer of the 2006 Melbourne Cup where a horse trained by his wife was one of the starters. Mahtoum, which won the 2005 Sydney Cup, was Kim Waugh’s first runner in the big race and it finished a credible sixth with a prize of $110,000.

ARTICLE 20

FEBRUARY 22ND. 2013

Hat-Tricks are a rare commodity with only 43 such hat-tricks in the history of the GCA 1st.X1 since 1896. Grovedale’s brilliant all-rounder Gareth Yelland achieved the feat last round with 4/54 against Leopold to be only Grovedale’s second bowler to achieve the rare feat, tearaway speedster Graeme Harper having twice blitzed the opposition with 4/66 against Newtown & Chilwell in 2007-08 and again with 4/26 against North Geelong in 2009- 10.

However Gareth also flogged Leopold with a classic 86 to become only the second player ever to achieve a hat-trick and score over 80 in an innings in the same match, the best ever being Newtown’s George Schofield with 6/40 and 101no against North Geelong in 1949-50.

Hat-Tricks galore - Geelong Cricket Club’s promising quick, Jake Reed captured a hat-trick last saturday against St. Kilda to become just the second Cat in Premier Cricket in Geelong’s 20 year history, Brian McFadyen’s hat-trick (3/11) against Frankston Peninsula in 1994-95.

Curiously over the last 25 years, there have been 34 hat-tricks in Premier Cricket, Peter Smith, who played in Geelong’s first ever match in 1993 took TWO hat-tricks pre Geelong days for South Melbourne in the same season of 1990-91. Also, ex –cat, Daniel Lowery did so with a hat-trick for Melb University in 2005-06.

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Lara has lost its last four matches but salvaged two super personal performances from Daniel Weigl with 8/89 on day one (oops a quack on day two) but Stuart Forbes marched to the crease and starred with 71 on debut.

Only 2 previous Lara batsmen have scored 50 plus on debut – David Petherick with 80 against East-Belmont in 1992-93 and the Lara Champion, John Hughes with the all-time GCA record of 176no on debut against St.Josephs in 1985-86.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Of the 46 Clubs to have played GCA Division One 1st. Cricket, only 4 clubs ever played for just the one season –

Belmont in 1902-03, Newtown & Chilwell “B” in 1937-38, Marshall & Alexander-Thomson in season 2004-05.

ARTICLE 19

FEBRUARY 15TH. 2013

The first day’s play of round 10 last Saturday produced two outstanding individual performances with Lara’s young off-spinner Daniel Weigl (8/89) and Geelong West’s Sam Loftus (173) starring for their respective teams.

Weigl’s 8 wicket haul against Bell Post Hill was remarkable as the 2009-10 Lara 1st.X1 premiership player started his 1st.X1 career that season as a wicketkeeper and never bowled a single ball until his 14th. game last season. His 8 wicket haul was only the second occasion a Lara bowler has taken 8 wickets in an innings in the club’s 28 seasons / 331 games of 1st.X1 Division One cricket, the record held by Danny Hughes with 9/37 against Geelong West in 2007-08.

Champion all-round sportsman Loftus peeled off his 11th.career century last saturday against his old side but fell just 3 runs short of his best ever to date of 176 for St.Josephs against Newcomb & District in the 2005-06 qualifying final, that innings a record highest at St.Josephs.

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A quiet achiever this season has been North Geelong’s left-arm spinning Englishman in Jack Hughes. In his second season at North, he mesmerised Lara in round one with 5/18 and in the last four rounds he has captured 3/26, 3/55, 4/72 and 3/43.

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The strong Geelong Country Week squad heads to Melbourne in persuit of a hat-trick of premierships after having won the tournament in the last two years. Since Geelong entered Country Week in 1930, it has won 3 consecutive flags on just two occasions, in 1937, 1938 & 1939 and again in 1958, 1959 & 1960. Geelong has played in 77 Carnivals and has played in 40 grand finals, winning 25 premierships and runners-up 15 times.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Only 3 bowlers have captured a Country Week hat-trick, George Schofield with 8/17 against Ballarat in 1939, John Ross, 6/29 against Horsham in 1965 and Trent Walerys with 4/27 against Murray Valley in last years grand final. Curiously, one of John Ross’ victims was Denis Breuer who later became a team-mate of Ross and a fellow Life Member at South Barwon, both destined to play in South Barwon’s 1968-69 Premiership Team.

ARTICE 18

FEBRUARY 8TH. 2013

Without doubt “The Man” in Geelong cricket last saturday was Geelong Cricket Club’s super speedstar, Marc Carson with a blistering 7/40 against Camberwell Magpies. The champion opening bowler who “bends his back” beyond the capabilities of most, recorded his 10th. career 5 wicket haul and his second 7 wickets in an innings, his best of 7/24 against Dandenong in 2007-08.

With 409 wickets for the club in all GCC grades of cricket (dominated by 292 wickets at 1st.X1 level), the then raw opening bowler recruited to GCC in 1997-98 he was to become a member of the Premier Cricket Team of The Season in 2010-11 and with 30 wickets to date this season @ 16.9 appears on track to possibly be re-admitted this season to this prestigious X1.

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St. Josephs enjoyed a gutsy win over neighbours, Newtown & Chilwell, 8/224 to 9/223 due to another top innings from Adrian McCormack of 61 following his 86 last round. A bowler not to receive the accolades he deserves to date is former GCC star, 191 GCC club gamer, Justin Foss who has “chipped away” in the last four rounds with 5/38, 3/28, 3/49 & 3/67 against the Saints on this round.

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Geelong West’s shaky 172 was over-run by a jubilant Leopold with 7/271 to be its highest score of the season with captain Rod Kiddle returning from injury after missing the previous rounds with a commanding 73no, newcomer Curtly Balshaw adding support with 48 following his 28 on debut the previous match. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ben Reichstein – where are you ? – 40 on debut for Bell Post Hill in round two, then bowling figures of 3/42, 3/60 & 3/27 as at round six – where are you after not playing a game since December 15th. 2012 ???

The Darwin recruited left-arm fast medium all-rounder returned home for Christmas but will play for The Hill next match I am advised.

Ben was recruited from Darwin CC and in the last season in the Northern Territory he took 50 wickets and scored 368 runs. He has represented the Northern Territory in the last 2 Australian Country Cricket Championships. In 2013 he took 20 wickets in the Carnival including 7/62 vs SA & 5/51 vs WA.

In 2012 he took 21 wickets in the Carnival including 7/22 vs .

So look out GCA sides – plenty of “Pommy Imports” have arrived this season and doing well but Ben Reichstein could be the “unknown factor”

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DID YOU KNOW ?

There have been just 16 occasions where a GCA 1st.X1 side has collapsed in two completed innings below 100 in total.

The last was in 1978-79 when Geelong City was removed for 97 ( 72 & 25) by Newtown & Chilwell and an all time low 25 at City, its 97 far higher than Clarendon’s lowest ever record total score of 22 & 19, its team score of 41 the lowest ever in GCA senior cricket in 1910-11.

ARTICLE 17

1ST.FEBRUARY, 2013

Former Bell Post Hill 1st.X1 batsman, Troy Bott (26 matches with 323 runs @ 24.3) moved to Meredith CC in 2010, recruited as a top order batsman, great ground fielder and a part-time bowler. However one year ago to the day he started wicket-keeping and last Saturday he wrote his name in club history by collecting 7 catches in an innings against Shelford in Division Three 1st.X1 GCA cricket.

In GCA 1st.X1 cricket (Division One), five wicketkeepers have snared 7 dismissals in an innings, C.Grapsas (South Barwon v North Geelong, 1976-77), C.McHenry (Leopold v East-Belmont, 1991-92), J.McDonald ( Newtown & Chilwell v Grovedale, 1994-95), D.Ford (St.Josephs v Geelong v Geelong City, 1998-99sf) & T.Sells (Bell Post Hill v St.Josephs, 2000-01).

Con Grapsas continued his brilliant match by accumulating 10 dismissals for the match, the only keeper ever to achieve that feat and to celebrate, pounded 54.

The only known wicketkeeper in all grades of GCA cricket to notch 8 dismissals in an innings was by East-Belmont 3rd.X1 wicketkeeper, John Washington who did so in 1975 in his debut match in which his mate Tom Buchanan also debuted and took 7 wickets in the innings, all 7 caught by Washington, Buchanan being the father of the famous Buchanan brothers including former Victorian cricketer, Liam and AFL premiership player Amon.

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Oops ! This column was premature last week in stating Geelong West batsman, Ken Spence was to play his 100th. GCA 1st.X1 game this round as he was dropped to the seconds. Maybe the West selectors were also premature in axing Spence as the side registered its lowest score for the season last Saturday of 172 against lowly Leopold, Leopold having dismissed Newtown & Chilwell the previous round also for 172.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

The highest average by a GCA 1st.X1 batsman to score 3000 runs or more is held by geelong footballer, Len Metherell with an average of 66.6 from 5,465 runs scored between 1930-1941. The highest average by a current player is by Leopold’s Rod Kiddle with an average of 40.1 from 8,173 runs since his debut in 1984.

ARTICLE NO 16

25TH.JANUARY, 2013

When Geelong West veteran, Ken Spence takes the field tomorrow against Leopold at Memorial Park, the middle- order batsman will celebrate his 100th GCA 1st.X1 match. Having made his debut in 2004 against Newtown & Chilwell, he showed immediate promise with 52 on debut, his initial season ironically his best season to date with 386 runs @ 27.5, the following season also a superb one with 373 runs @ 26.6, being his best two seasons to date.

A member of Geelong West’s premiership team in 2010-11, his 2231 career runs have generated an average of 24.0, his two centuries being 104no against Torquay in 2006-07 (Torquay having played GCA Division One 1st.X1 cricket between 2004-08) and 113 against Bell Post Hill in 2009-10.

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As at round 8 and finals action not too far away, leading batsmen per club is revealed in the following chart.

The “British Invasion” shows Geelong City’s Richard Oliver from Shropshire leading the way at his club whilst Newtown & Chilwell’s John Carpenter from Essex also heads his club’s batting honours to date.

In curiosities this writer considers his “bread and butter”, both Oliver and Carpenter have lodged consecutive ducks in their respective last two innings ! – cricket – what a game !

CLUB BATSMAN RUNS AVE

South Barwon C.Peake 617 123.4 East-Belmont C.Bambury 349 69.8 North Geelong S.Hall 342 57.0 Leopold B’O’Brien 340 42.5 Highton J.Smith 340 37.8 Geelong City R.Oliver 339 37.7 Grovedale S.Pearce 326 54.3 Geelong West D.Vassiliou 313 62.6 Lara N.Yates 312 52.0 Bell Post Hill A.Cairns 263 29.2 St.Josephs D.Fanning 243 34.7 N & C J.Carpenter 237 33.9

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DID YOU KNOW ? Twenty years ago a stray dog disrupted play in the third Ashes Test at Nottingham and was later adopted and named . Whilst , Hughes had taken it upon himself to get the canine off the ground when all other attempts to shoo him away had failed. Hughes got on all fours and managed to win the confidence of the distressed pooch, which was eventually taken off the field by and handed to a steward on the boundary. After the dog’s plight was seen on TV, thousands of concerned pet owners rang the local RSPCA to offer him a home. The successful applicant later named him “Merv”.

ARTICLE NO 15

18TH. JANUARY ,2013

In a “quiet start stats wise in GCA senior cricket” after the Christmas break, Grovedale’s Anglesea recruit Dylan Taylor starred with 6/38 against Highton, The Heat removed for 104.

East-Belmont’s English recruit, John Kettle after scoring 57 on debut in round one hit his second 21 in consecutive innings, Sean O’Neill starring with 75 not out against St. Josephs, Trent Walerys absent due to State duties in Queensland.

North Geelong continued its superb season with 257 against powerhouse Geelong West, Mitch Troy leading the way with 62,but Stephen Jacimovic had reason to celebrate with 41 late in the innings, his previous best being 18 last season.

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Geelong CC enjoyed a brilliant victory over Footscray-Edgewater with scores of 5/73 to 72 to remain in touch with Victoria Premier top eight.

“ GCC Debutant” South Australian firebrand, Jake Haberfield made his GCC debut (being Geelong number 99 to play for Geelong) the Redbacks quick Haberfield on the back of a first-class season that has delivered 23 wickets to date.

The right arm paceman was coaxed into the GCC team by Geelong coach, Damian Shanahan during Haberfield’s busy cricket commitments,

Haberfield did his job with 3/30 to join just 6 bowlers to capture 3 or more wickets on GCC debut, Justin Foss heading the list with 4/20 against Melbourne University in 2002-03.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Champion Geelong full-forward played GCA 1st.X1 cricket for GWC&FC and South Barwon between seasons 1961-1964, scoring 282 runs @ 28.2 in his 10 only games due to footy commitments. He smashed 44 on debut for GWC&FC on this round in 1961-62.

ARTICLE NO 14

11th.JANUARY, 2013 South Barwon champion all-rounder, Brad Hauenstein will create history this Saturday, it being his 168th. GCA 1st.X1 (Division match) match for his only ever club, overtaking Ted Anderson with his 167 matches between 1966- 1982.

Brad Hauenstein is also the club’s record run-maker with 5154 runs @ 38.2 and also holds the record for most wickets (current players) with 287 scalps @ a lean 17.9 apiece, the overall record held by club champion spinner, John Ross with 422 wickets @ also 17.9.

Current Club’s Most Games are -

Bell Post Hill – T.Sells… 154

East-Belmont - M.Dunn…212

Geelong City – H.Heard…267

Geelong West – C.Scott…170

Grovedale – M.Baker…195

Highton -- G.Greenhaigh…67

Lara – D.Hughes…200

Leopold – G.Ridgeway…180

Newtown & Chilwell – G.Wells…253

North Geelong – A.Clark…287

South Barwon – B.Hauenstein…168

St.Josephs – N.Mullen…272.

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Another “stat” to sneak under the radar – Last round in Bell Post Hill’s two wins on the trot, Darwin BPH recruit, John Flynn hit 57 on debut against St.Josephs to be the second highest BPH batsman to compile 50 plus on debut, the club record being 63 by J.Ingleton against Grovedale in 1996-97.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

The GCA 1st.X1 competition in season 1937-38 included two “Newtown & Chilwell” teams, “Newtown & Chilwell A” and “Newtown & Chilwell B”. Geelong Footballers CC in the GCA 1st.X1 competition opted after their 1937 VFL Premiership flag not to field a cricket team in that season thus requiring an additional team, hence Newtown & Chilwell “B” affiliated for that one season only.

ARTICLE NO 13

4th. JANUARY, 2013

With the season in the Christmas – New Year break reflecting on the last round, North Geelong’s Brad Scown quietly hit 200 career wickets with his modest 1/29 against Newtown & Chilwell after making his debut for East- Belmont a decade ago. His 200 wickets with a best of 6/18 at 19 a star player with two flags at East and North one-a- piece.

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Clinton Peake’s superb season continues with 599 runs for his beloved South Barwon @ 149.8, needing just just 69 runs to break Brad Hauensteins South Record of 667 runs in 2008-09.

Will he break Jack Sing’s record in a GCA home-and-away season of 901 runs in 1948-49 of 901 runs… time will tell

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Next week marks a special date in GCA Cricket.

Next Monday marks the last time the GCA hosted an International Team when Geelong & Districts played the Touring New Zealanders at on 7th. January, 1983. With the demand for One-Day Cricket, sadly Country fixtures were overlooked but the first was Geelong’s International Match after hosting “The All- England X1” at Corio Oval in January,1862.

The Historic Geelong Team in that last International Match was M.Bowtell, C.Scott, G.Mirovich, P.Caulfield, L.Barnett, C.Lynch, P.Oxlade, T.Bright, M. Seeckts, G.Anderton and G.Ward.

New Zealand won the match 292 to Geelong’s 5/193 in the one-day match, Richard Hadlee smashing 117 including 6 sixes into Moorabool Street, the New Zealand side a “Test Team” of Turner, Wright, Howarth, Crowe, Coney, Morrison, Hadlee, Cairns, Snedden & Troup.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

One hundred years ago, the GCA played cricket on Christmas Day with a GCA side against the Ballarat Cricket Association at Corio Oval. The Ballarat Cricket Association was so delighted, they hosted the GCA in a return match on the following Good Friday.

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ARTICLE NO 12

28th. DECEMBER, 2012

The highlight of this round before Christmas was Bell Post’s stunning victory over St.Josephs’ with , “The Hill” winning back-to back games after being flogged outright in round 3 against North Geelong. For the Saints stars were former Geelong Cricket Club brilliant cricketers in Walerys, Morgan and Fanning so the win 158 to 104 was a highlight for BPH Cricket Club, John Flynn from Darwin top scoring on debut for BPH with 57.

It was St.Josephs lowest score for the season.

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Gareth Yelland showed his true all-round ability with a brilliant 63 for Grovedale against Lara , his innings after scores of this season 2, 0, 12, 11, 20 and 2 passing him over 3000 career runs , Lara’s 115 to Grovedale’s 233 aided by skipper, Nathan Yates (47) but Lara’s Mathew Richmond starred again with 5/51, being his second 5 wicket haul for the season.

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An injured skipper, Rod Kiddle did not take the field requiring rest pre the next half of the season but his gallant side in his absence gave East-Belmont a competitive match despite losing 8/196 to 7/198. English recruit from the Yorkshire Academy, Jonathan Booth top scored with 43 but East-Belmont took the points to win its third consecutive match, Jeremy Teal recalled with a brilliant 54 in a low scoring affair.

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Geelong City was overtaken by the all-conquering South Barwon, match scores 125 to 7/243. Fifteen-year-old Jack Driver in just his 7th game stood tall with 49no for City but the power of South Barwon took over, Clinton Peake again prominent with 44, Joel Davies top scoring with his season’s best to date 61.

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DID YOU KNOW

In season 1939-40, the competition was increased from 8 teams to 10 teams and the GCA Committee decided in view of the enlarged size of the competition to allow the frst four teams on the premiership ladder at the completion of the home-and-away season to compete in “A grade” finals whilst the next four teams on the premiership ladder would play for a “B grade” premiership. Consequently for season 1939-40,only, two teams from the same competition were premiers, Ford Motor Company in “A grade” and Geelong Footballers in “B grade”.

ARTICLE NO 11

19TH. DECEMBER, 2012

Brilliant win by Bell Post Hill to notch its first victory of the season over Geelong City, The Hill at one stage a shaky 7/75 but former GCC star, Travis Faulknead starred with 58 to add to his 4/45 to lift his side to a memorable win, 202 to 170, City’s Ben Reichstein in great form with 3/42, 3/60 & 3/27 in his last three matches.

East-Belmont captain Chris Bambury again led the way with a brilliant 115no plus 3/44 against North Geelong , the Lions winning 3/229 to 226.

Geelong West took the points over Lara, 9/179 to 165 despite gun Liam Buchanan registering his second “quack’ in his last three innings (a brilliant 105 in the last round”, in what was Danny Hughes 200th. match, the brilliant all- rounder registering a modest 7 and 0/17 but it was his team-mate, Daniel Weigl who starred with the brilliant double of 67 & 4/46..

Newtown & Chilwell continued its “quiet achiever” status with another win, the young batting brigade having mustered 4 team scores over 240 this season which no other GCA side has matched. With 7/281 and 17 year old skipper Riley Ferguson leading the charge with 69 and UK import from Sussex, John Carpenter’s 82 a gallant win over Highton’s 202.

The St.Josephs – Leopold match was washed out on day two with Adrian McCormack 6no in the Saints 0/11, McCormack playing in a GCA record 7 GCA Division One 1st.X1 clubs.

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This season is a celebration for the Geelong Cricket Club since its admittance to Victorian Premier Cricket in 1993- 94 of 20 seasons playing in the top cricket competition in the State.

Over the years Geelong has selected 98 players to represent the Geelong Cricket Club,

Peter Cox the first in 1993 and Jake Reed the most recent last round.

Geelong has selected 6 debutants this season, Josh McDonald, James Crosthwaite, Luke Ibbs, Jack Sheppard, Anthony Hodgson and Reed. With the Premier Cricket season at the half-way stage, Geelong has never before selected 6 debutants in a season, excluding Geelong’s maiden match in 1993 when off course all 11 players were debutants.

The “countdown” arises as to who will be the 100th. GCC 1st.X1 debutant ?

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Unusual Dismissals in world wide cricket…

“Hitting the ball Twice”, “” and “” are three modes of which have never occurred in GCA top cricket…. But “” has happened on six occasions., G.Fitzgerald (12), Leopold v South Barwon in 1956-57, M.Venes (25), Leopold v South Barwon in 1957-58, G.Puchlenko (0), GWC&FC v Geelong City in the 1959-60 semi-final, G(Gavin) McKay ((0), North Geelong v Geelong City in 1975-76 and in the same season, J.Hayes (3), St.Josephs v East-Belomt and J.Farrell (9), North Geelong v S.Josephs in the 1992-93 semi-final.

ARTICLE NO 10

th 14 .December, 2012

The greatest cricketer to emerge from Pakistan is Imran Khan who played for 8 clubs being Pakistan, Darwood Club ,Lahore, New South Wales, Oxford University ,Pakistan International Airlines, Sussex and Worcestershire in a brilliant career.

However when “our own” Adrian McCormack walks out to bat this Saturday for St.Josephs against Leopold , Adrian will break the record since the GCA started in 1896 as having played for the most GCA 1st.X1 Division clubs in history.

Recruited from Manifold Heights this season he has dominated in the seconds with 253 runs @ 50.6 including 123 last round.

Adrian has played a total of 163 GCA 1st.X1 (Division One) games since his debut in 1988-89 for South Barwon against St.Josephs but has since played for 7 clubs – an all-time record –

No other player has played for more than six clubs, Bill Orchard and Richard Gurr with 6 clubs apiece pre World War One and World War Two respectively.

Adrian has played for South Barwon, East-Belmont, Bell Post Hill, Bell Park, Geelong City , Manifold Heights and now St.Josephs where he will return where he made his debut for South Barwon in 1988-89 this Saturday, hoping for a big score.

Curiously, Adrian’s distinguished record of 3462 runs @22.6 with 19 times past 50 have to date been devoid of a century, his best a dubious 96 lbw in 2007-08 for Manifold Heights against Leopold, a 93no two rounds earlier that season against Newtown.

A twice 1st.X1 premiership player for East-Belmont in 1992-93 & 1997-98, the scene is cast for maybe a ton in his first 1st.X1 hit for St.Josephs on Saturday.

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A loyal cricketer in Geelong is Danny Hughes who has “lived and died” so to speak for his club, Lara. He is currently playing his GCA 1st.X1 Division One 200th. match for Lara against Geelong West.

With 5,235 runs @ 30.6 and 393 wickets @ 17.0 he is the greatest player at Lara in terms of runs, wickets and matches.

His Dad, John holds the record of the highest score on debut ever in GCA 1st.X1 records with 176no for Lara against St.Josephs in 1985-86.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Former Test bowler Damien Fleming was voted the “Most Favourite Commentator” for the last season, eclipsing in order, , Kerry O’Keeffe, James Brayshaw, and Mark Nicholas.

Damien’s Father-In-Law is no other than Geelong Cricket Association Life Member, Graeme O’Donnell who was Treasurer of the GCA for 3 seasons 1969-72. He (108) and Brian Schaeche (105) formed a record GCA 1st.stand of 161 for the 7th.wicket, South Barwon v Newtown in the 1968-69 grand final, that record still standing.

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ARTICLE NO 9

TH 7 . DECEMBER, 2012

Curious how cricketers can rise from Premier Cricket to in a short period of time.

Debutant, Victorian John Hastings has done so with his Test debut in this week.

Hastings played just two games against Geelong in Premier Cricket with 4/39 in season 2007-08 and 1/25 the following season. His “scalps” were GCC coach Damian Shanahan (19), Andre Borovec (15), Luke Muller (10) and Trent Walerys (0) in 2007-08 and “Our Own” Aaron Finch the following season for 10.

However we have the last word as Hastings lasted just one ball in his two innings against Geelong, both times champion GCC keeper Andre Borovec sending him on his way, caught Borovec bowled Shanahan for 0 in 2007-08 and Borovec bowled Muller the next season.

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Grovedale’s Gareth Yelland has hit a cricket high with the ball. His 8/61 the previous round complimented with match figures of 5/28 & 5/17 against Geelong City last round, his match figures of 10/45 the best ever at Grovedale, shading by a margin, David Crosby’s 10/46 against Bell Post Hill in season 1989-90.

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Highton after its round opener win over Bell Post Hill has lost all of its matches to date but Luke Daffy last round was “gallant in defeat” with the splendid double of 40 not out and 5/50 against East-Belmont.

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Quiet achiever & premiership favorites North Geelong enjoyed another outstanding victory over St.Josephs, a dominating 6/357 to 135. Shaun Kingwell the hero with a career best 7/32, his previous best 4/29 in just his 6th.season.

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DID YOU KNOW ? On this round 50 years ago in season 1962-63, GCA Club, GWC&FC selected a 16 year old Paul Sheahan to play against Corio (North Geelong) and he excelled with 22 and 40 not out on debut. He never played another GCA 1st.X1 match but progressed to State & Test status.

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ARTICLE NO 8

30th. NOVEMBER, 2012

A simple score passed “under the radar” in the previous round when a Geelong City batsman made a modest 13 but that bat was none other than champion 179 gamer at Geelong West, St.Josephs, North Geelong and now Geelong City in Graeme Beaumont.

A three times premiership player with a stunning 5193 runs @ 31.9 between 1982-2000, the decorated player now coach and 2nd.X1 captain at Geelong City made a “comeback” after 12 years in round four for City against Geelong West with 13 but in bowling 6 overs for a trim 1/8, tore a hamstring !

However this column hopes Graeme Beaumont, a gentleman of the game, does play again as his son Josh is now opening the batting and what better way to enjoy a father/son playing together in the GCA’s highest competition !

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Jack Wood….Where is his hundred coming from ?

Run out the previous round for 98, the quality Newtown & Chilwell top-order batsman was again stranded on 91no last Saturday against Lara, his previous best a pair of 58’s in his short career to date.

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St.Josephs was smashed to all points of the ground with North on a roll with 6/357, Sam Hall collecting 104no, being his 7th. GCA ton, the most of current North players. Col Millard recalled from the 2nds. for his first game for the season contributing 46.

Former Geelong Cricket Club star bowlers “copping the brunt” with Trent Walerys (0/96), David Morgan (1/88) and Daniel Fanning (1/51) yielding a net 2/235 .

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Another quiet achiever, East-Belmont’s David Lineen achieved a career best 5/25 last round for East-Belmont.

DID YOU KNOW

Brownlow Medalist Edward “Carji” Greeves played 33 matches in the GCA between 1929-33 gathering 1391 runs @ 38.6 with four centuries and a best of 156.

His 1929-30 season was outstanding with 690 runs @ 49.3 but his Dad, Edward Greeves did better in GCA ranks as he scored the “First 50 on GCA Debut” with exactly 50 on this day in 1896/97 for GCA Club , “Magpies” against another GCA club of sadly the past in “Non-Descripts” .

ARTICLE NO 7

rd 23 . NOVEMBER, 2012 Reigning Premier, Grovedale won its first match of the season in this round four and although cricket is a “team game” Grovedale’s 217 was substantially constructed via Simon Pearce’s career best 143no whilst Bell Post Hill’s competitive 155 was cut-short due to brilliant Tiger all-rounder, Gareth Yelland’s career best 8/61. Yelland, with 2,913 career runs @ 29.4 pre this season cannot “buy a run” this season with scores of 2, 0, 12 & 11( Leopold’s captain Rod Kiddle would understand, the champion bat with 8,129 career runs @ 40.8 struggling at present with scores of 4, 6, 1 & 0)

Yelland, who won the GCA Sectional last season with 30 wickets @ a trim 9.9 has now taken 188 wickets @ 16.6 and has an uncanny record of taking 3 or 4 wickets in an innings by “chipping away” by doing so 31 times his bowling trophy last season yielding 8 hauls of 3 or 4 wickets. But his brilliant 8/61 (Last match 1/61 another curiosity against Geelong West as a huge difference between 8/61 and 1/61 but that’s the unique game we love.

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Geelong City, a proud club since its GCA affiliation in 1928 showed great pride after an embarrassing 39 the previous round against up-and-coming Newtown & Chilwell by defeating powerful Geelong West 203 to 189. English import, Richard Oliver has peeled off “back-to-back” tons with 130no & 101 (but run out twice in his four innings) , in another match where personal contributions had an impact, Damian Vassiliou’s career best 125 unbeaten a huge proportion of his sides 189.

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Lara’s win over East-Belmont with 7/219 to 217 saw Lara debutant from Ballarat Les Sandwith score a match- winning 48 to be second score behind captain Nathan Yates 71.

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Cricket – the Cruel Game.

Jack Wood – an “unknown name” to date but with great potential was run out for 98 for Newtown against South Barwon last week, Wood’s previous best , twice scores of 58 in just his 3rd.season, the brilliant throw of Clinton Peake catching the youngster a fingernail short.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Good to look back at 100 years ago…Season 1912-13…

Geelong Footballer Bill Eason cut a swathe through opposition sides with in three consecutive matches in 1912-13 when he collected match figures of 15/84, 13/89 & 9/37.

ARTICLE NO 6

16th.NOVEMBER, 2012

In a day last saturday devoid of many statistics, a “quirky” figure of 217 arose when 3 GCA 1st.X1 teams all scored the same total – East-Belmont, Grovedale and Leopold. It is the first time ever that 3 sides have scored an identical total in the same round in GCA 1st.X1 history.

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Personal career bests were achieved by Grovedale dual premiership player Simon Pearce with a career best 143no against Bell Post Hill, being his second career ton, Mitch Troy with 6/78 for North Geelong against Leopold and promising South Barwon opening bat, Eamonn Vines with his maiden century of 122 against Newtown & Chilwell, his father, solicitor Michael Vines a proud dad, Michael having played 63 GCA Division One 1st.X1 games for South Barwon between 1976-1990 with a personal best of 70.

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Geelong Cricket Club’s great challenge this Saturday is to run-down Prahran’s competitive 6/368 declared. In the history of the GCC 1st.X1 in now its 20th. season, only once has the side chased down and won against an opposition score of 368 or more and that season was in 2008-09 when The Cats scored a mammoth 4/403 to defeat Essendon’s 8/402 at Geelong Cricket Ground. Sean Dean (134), Aaron Finch (120), Joel Davies (50) and Clinton Peake (49no) starred in a memorable victory.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

John Mason played GCA 1st.X1 cricket for Grovedale between 1985-1998, was Club Champion twice and was captain/coach for 3 seasons. He released a book yesterday at the launched by Test Great Ashley Mallett and supported by another Testman in Wayne Phillips . His book is dedicated to the 400 plus Test Players to have played Test Cricket but John has “personally selected” his teams in alphabetical order, A to Z hence “Bradman Only Made The B Team”. That was John’s brilliant name to his book but the Bradman Family banned him using that name so John’s book is now titled “Shock Selection”.

His book will retail at $29.95 plus $5 postage and any keen cricketers can purchase via this column.

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ARTICLE 5. 9th.NOVEMBER,2012

Clinton Peake’s stunning start to the season with 96no, 167no & 120no for South Barwon has sent many a statistician into a “frenzy” with “what may happen” at season’s end with just how many runs the batting supremo may accumulate but as ever modest Clinton stated in the Press this week, “Its’ the vagaries of cricket. Sometimes you get wet balls and good conditions for batting and other times you get a couple of green tops and at this stage of the season you’ve only managed about four runs”. However Peake’s staggering 383 runs in the first three rounds has catapulted himself into the “run-chase” of legendary Jack Sing’s all-time record of 901 runs in a home-and-away season in 1948-49, followed by Geelong footballer Len Metherell with 767 runs in 1935-36 and Mike Bowtell with 750 runs in 1967-68. However after the first 3 rounds Sing had amassed 151 runs, Metherell 236 runs and Bowtell 160 runs so “Peake is poised” to maybe not only surpass Sings 64 year old record but also be the first batsman in GCA 1st.X1 cricket to notch 1000 runs in a season – but a long road still to seasons end.

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Geelong City’s woeful team score of 39 last round against Newtown & Chilwell was the lowest score in GCA 1st.X1 cricket since 40 was registered by Geelong A in 1903-04 and 1908-09, Geelong West (Pre WW1) in 1910-11, Valley Mill in 1948-49, Corio in 1951-52 & 1964-65 and St.Josephs in 1966-67.

However Geelong City’s lowest score ever was 25 against Newtown & Chilwell in 1978-79, when Geoff Oman (4/5) and Tim Tudowyk (4/9) blitzed the opposition

The lowest score of all time was 10 by Geelong A in 1906-07 but the team batted 5 men short as they arrived too late at Corio Oval due to their horse-drawn cart breaking a wheel on route to the match. The lowest score compiled by a full team was 13 by the crack team of the day of GWC&FC in 1958-59, the team including GCA Legends Jack Sing & Frank Pike.

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Mathew Caulfields 3 wicket haul last Saturday lifted him to precisely 150 wickets In GCA 1st.X1 at the very neat average of just 15.7. Other personal milestones were Lara’s Mathew Richmond with a career best 6/45 against St.Josephs (13 wickets this season @ 7.6) and Leopold’s James Menzies with also a career best 5/18 in just his 15th. game.

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Outright wins are a rarity in most levels of cricket but the “ Leopold Lads” lapped it up last Saturday with an emphatic outright victory over Highton, 216 to 70 & 133.

Leopold, a proud club in its now 56th. season of GCA 1st.X1 cricket and playing in the finals once only in the last 10 years with a qualifying loss in 2007-08, thus registered its first outright victory since round one in1994-95 against South Barwon , the season the club was1stX1 Premiers and Champions.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

“Times of change I think, ie 100 years ago”. Cricket Authorities would have been more “aggressive” today with footy dominating cricket in those days……

The 1912-13 GCA season started a week later than the GCA had scheduled owing to a tie in the local football grand final between East and West football clubs. With a dispute arising between the GCA and Football Authorities re the use of Kardinia Park, the Geelong Mayor adjudicated that the replay go ahead at Kardinia Park and cricket would have to wait a further week to commence its season. The GCA abided and played matches on Christmas Day and on Good Friday that season to accommodate its fixture.

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Personally I would appreciate feedback from my writings as I have no idea who reads them and also if you have a “cricket curiosity” which I love as you know, please send to me.

Kevin

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ARTICLE 4. 2ND. NOVEMBER, 2012

East-Belmont captain, Chris Bambury has “jumped out of the blocks” averaging 164 after his opening accounts of 34no, 65no and 65 last Saturday against South Barwon.

However cricket is a frustrating game as we know – Just ask two captains - Tim Sells brilliant knock of 104 for Bell Post Hill in round two was followed with a duck last Saturday against North Geelong in Sells 150th. game, all at “The Hill”, Lara’s skipper Nathan Yates equally “glum” trudging back to the pavilion without troubling the scores last saturday after a commanding 113no the previous round against Leopold.

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Continuing the theme of cricket being a frustrating game and cruel at times, Grovedale’s champion batsman in Garry Kelson with 6122 runs @ 33.3, 10 centuries with a best of 199 (the only 199 in GCA 1st.X1 history) after returning to top GCA cricket in 2011-2012 with two ducks in his only two matches (after one match the previous season for another duck) was recalled last Saturday against Geelong West and “gulp” lbw for 0.

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Leopold stalwart Anthony Kilfoyle almost achieved his dream of a GCA 1st.X1 century but was cut short by 4 runs, the 62 game player bowled for 96 against Highton after previously passing 50 on 4 occasions with a previous best of 89 way back in 2005-06.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

When star South Barwon batsman Clinton Peake won the GCA Division One sectional batting average last season with 517 runs @ 64.6 he joined his father, Russell who won the same award 45 seasons ago in 1967-68 also playing for South Barwon with almost the same number of runs as Clinton of 513 but at the commanding average of 102.6. The two have formed a unique club as the only father / son combination ever since 1896-97 to win the distinguished award.

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ROUND THREE – 26th.October, 2012

The highlight last saturday was South Barwon’s keeper, Joshua Baker in taking 6 catches in an innings against St.Josephs in only his fifth GCA Division One 1st.X1 match, the GCA record held by another South Barwon ‘keeper in Con Grapsas with 7 dismissals against North Geelong on this round in 1976-77.

For good measure, Con Grapsas belted 54 in an innings in the same match.

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Newtown & Chilwell enjoyed a stunning victory over last years Premiers, Grovedale with Geelong Cricket Club recruits, Jake Ibbs (49) and Justin Foss (40) the backbone of Newtown’s 8/240, 19 year-old Jamie Harrison in only his second game blitzing Grovedale with 6/29.

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In other “bits & pieces” last saturday –

1. Bell Post Hill’s Ben Reichstein celebrated his GCA debut with 40 against Geelong West. 2. Geelong City caved in with 5 run-outs against East-Belmont, Ross Elliot run out in both opening rounds of the season. 3. Highton recruit, Scott McElnea from Scotland hit 69no in his debut innings against North Geelong after not batting in round one. 4. Mitch Troy after recovering from a broken leg last season returned to North Geelong 1st. X1 with a match- winning 37 against Highton.

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DID YOU KNOW ?

Geelong Footballer, Bill Eason captured 10 wickets in a match on 20 occasions from 1902 to 1931 in GCA 1st.X1 cricket.

Only 3 current bowlers have achieved the feat once each, Lara’s Danny Hughes with 12/47 against Geelong West in 2007-08, East-Belmont’s Chris Williams with 11/103 against Manifold Heights in 2011-12 and South Barwon’s Brad Hauenstein with 10/30 against Leopold in 2001-02.

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ROUND TWO (Two-Day Game, Day One- 13th.October)

With traditional October rains to greet the cricket season, all GCA Division One matches were disrupted except the St.Josephs-South Barwon and Newtown & Chilwell v Grovedale encounters.

However at the Russell Zampatti Oval at St.Josephs despite poor weather, South Barwon turned on a remarkable display with a brilliant 8/370 (after being 5/38) to just dip under their team record of 379 against East-Belmont in 1972-73 but in the process of carving up the Saints attack, Clinton Peake and Andrew Ross smashed the attack with a GCA record partnership of 193 for the 8th.wicket with Peake (167no) and Ross (80).

The previous GCA record for the 8th.wicket at 1st.X1 level was way back in 1930-31 when Geelong Football Club premiership player in Milton Lamb with 99no (career highest score) and Ray Lancaster (81) compiled 148 for Geelong Footballers against South Geelong.

Clinton Peake, following his South Barwon GCA 1st.X1 record of 174no last season plus his now 167no becomes the first South Barwon Batsman to score two scores over 165 ever since South Barwon joined the GCA in 1951-52. As for “the quiet man in the big partnership” in Andrew Ross (son of former Victorian State cricketer and South Barwon speedster, Graeme Ross), his stunning 80 with previous batting stats of 27 games and 129 runs with a best of 44 last season was equally a day for South Barwon to remember.

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In the only other match not to be disrupted totally by rain, Newtown compiled 8/240 against the very sharp Grovedale attack.

17 year-old N & C captain, Riley Ferguson would have been contented with his score of 28 following his last season of 190 runs which included 4 ducks.

The most ducks in a GCA 1st.X1 season is 7 by North Geelong premiership player Len Vautier in season 1928-29 despite his impressive career of 4846 runs @ 28.7 over 168 games which included 10 centuries.

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In the opening round of Premier Cricket, Geelong selected two debutants to GCC in Josh McDonald and James Crosthwaite and both were dismissed in identical fashion, caught Loothan bowled Topp for 0 and 6 respectively. In its 20th. season of Premier Cricket, The Cats have now played 94 cricketers at 1st.X1 level. With the bat, the highest score on GCC 1st.X1 debut is 84 by Liam Buchanan against Dandenong in 1997-98 whilst with the ball, Justin Foss captured 4/20 against Melbourne University in 2002-03.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Last season not a single GCA 1st.X1 (Division One) player achieved “The Double” of 250 runs & 20 wickets in a season, the last occurrence being 20 seasons ago. All-Rounders in recent seasons to achieve this double have been dominated by “heavyweights”, Glen Talarico, Sam Loftus, Brad Hauenstein, Gareth Yelland and Danny Hughes but all “dipped out” last season.

Kevin O’Dowd

GCA & GCC Historian

O’DOWD DECLARES #1

I am excited that my popular column (I’m told) for 17 years in the pages of the Geelong Advertiser in the 1980’s , 1990’s and 2000’s have been resurrected after a few years absence but now via the GCA website.

I wish to thank the GCA for this opportunity to return to such GCA 1st.X1 facts and figures of “O’Dowd Declares” via this media.

OK, away we go…

ROUND ONE (One-Day Game 6th.October)

Despite rain all cricketers were keen to play after the 6 month break and debutants to excel were John Kettle from the Cheshire League in the UK with 57 for East-Belmont, Brad Paton from New Zealand with 3/19 for Grovedale, Jack Caldow with 5/32 on debut for Highton and Jacob Waterson with 59 for South Barwon, a recruit from the Central Yorkshire Cricket League .

GCA President, Grant Dew departed East-Belmont to return to his original GCA 1st.X1 Division One club, Thomson where he debuted in 1988-09 with 5/76 in his first match.

He has moved on to play at this stage in GCA 1st.X1 Division cricket 164 matches with 3495 runs at 25.7 and has collected 106 wickets with Thomson, Geelong City, Geelong Cement (Manifold Heights) and East-Belmont.

Curious to see Liam Buchanan in his debut match for Geelong West (32) dismissed by his former team-mate at GCC in Justin Foss at Newtown & Chilwell.

However the outstanding batting feat of round one was Highton skipper, Ben Dodds with a brilliant 110 to win the match over BPH, Dodds last playing for Highton in GCA 1st.X1 Division in 2003-04, his then highest score then being 25.

With the ball, the star of the show was yet another Yorkshire lad, Jack Hughes who played 10 games with North Geelong last season with 17 wickets @ 22.9 but baffled Lara with 5/18 with his left-arm spinners to win the match , Mitch Troy happily returning to cricket with 20 not out after his horror injury last season after breaking his leg and ankle when fielding.

DID YOU KNOW ?

AFL stars of today in Jimmy Bartel and Jonathan Brown both played Dowling Shield in the same team for Geelong as junior cricketers in 1996-97 prior to their respective illustrious sporting careers at AFL level.