ST. CHRISTOPHERS CRICKET CLUB
Twenty-five years represents a long period of cricket history. The Saints have been fortunate in attracting so many fine players over that time. To mention some without others leads to an injustice. Nonetheless we sincerely hope that those who gather together to celebrate the Silver Anniversary will recognize that in mentioning some players and performances in more or less detail that other great players and their contributions are certainly not being overlooked.
1. OUTSTANDING TEAMS
(i) The Saints have fielded many outstanding teams over the years across all grades of cricket. Not all of the outstanding teams won premierships. The First XI in the early to mid 1970’s which included players of the caliber of Greg Dolman, Neil Harvey, Vin Caddy, Noel Stephens, Alan Trainor, Sam Wright, Kevin Iles, Kevin Tormey, Neil Brown, Wally Parolin and Vince Margaretti played during an era when the competition boasted a range of outstanding sides, many of which included former or aspiring district or sub-district cricketers. To reach a grand final or even a semi final in that era was clearly a major achievement.
(ii) The top team accolade over the 25 years must go, however, to the First XI in 1986 which won the Luscombe “A” Grade Premiership under the captaincy of Ron Makin. That grand final will be remembered forever by those who played in it and those who watched. Four days, 2 innings by both St. Christophers and Airport West, some outstanding batting, bowling and team spirit, and victory by 1 run off the last ball of the match, reflected our crowning glory.
(iii) Over the years the Saints have had some outstanding under-age teams. Indeed the successes of the First XI in the 1980’s and its “A” Grade Premiership in 1986 owed a great deal to the junior sides of the 1970’s. Two premiership teams of that era come to mind. The Under 14 team of 1975 and the Under 16 team of 1977. Epic grand finals were fought out in those years with strong Doutta Stars and Strathmore teams. Century innings, 6 or more wickets in an innings, were regular features of those teams from players such as Anthony Brown, Craig Mackley, Mark Thompson, Ross Kennedy, Richard Brown, Mark Allen, David Trainor and Ian Donoghue. - 2 -
(iv) Two other premierships come to mind. The Saints First Open Age Premiership in 1979 in the “G” Grade competition. Peter Day captained this side and the Under 12 Premiership in 1985. The team finished last after the home and away matches but then went on to win the flag in the combined finals series.
2. OUTSTANDING CLUBMEN
Too often we have a tendency to forget people who assist clubs in a variety of ways off the field. It would be heroic to suggest that we can recall all of the people who should be remembered, but some have really stood out.
We mentioned above our success with junior teams. This would not have been possible without the untiring assistance over many years of people such as Alan Trainor, Ray Donoghue, Neville Thorne, Neil Brown, Mark Allen and Joe Holland.
Club loyalty and support has come in many forms and we would not wish to overlook the spirit engendered by people such as Vin Caddy (Senior), Jack Hogan, Pat Kennedy, Ted Pretty and Eddie Michaels.
Likewise the support from people such as Bruce Thompson, John Williams and Kevin Tormey, the off-field occasions and social functions organized by Margot Trainor, Margaret Donoghue and Ana Brown have represented outstanding and continuing contributions.
The formation and steering of the Club in the early 1960’s and the development of the facilities owed a great deal to the work of Father John Phelan and Kevin Iles, to name two key people. Untiring administration efforts have been made, as well, by a number of people whose names recur throughout the 25 years history of the Club – Bruce Thompson, Ray Donoghue, Neville Thorne, David Allen, Alan Trainor and Joe Holland. - 3 -
3. OUTSTANDING BATSMEN
When it comes to the nomination of outstanding batsmen we are faced with a variety of factors. Some players win games, some save games, some “top-off” the early efforts of others (such as opening batsmen), some graft runs, others do it with flair, some make a host of runs in 3 or 4 matches, others are more consistent and so on. All of these factors have been present in St. Christophers players over the years.
For artistry there was no finer player than Neil Harvey (1970-1974); Greg Dolman was the consistent and skilled run maker (1967-1976); for aggression and daring there was Vin Caddy (1970’s) and Bob Hunter (late 70’s early 80’s); for consistency over a long period there was Kevin Iles (1963-1979) and Neil Brown (1965-1989); for “cheeky”, “opposition- unsettling” run winning performances there was Kevin Tormey and for sound defensive cricket there was none better than John Williams (1977-1985).
A batsman that combined aggression, skill, flair, indeed most of the qualities that go to make an outstanding batsman was Jack Hogan. Over 13 seasons Jack hit 11 centuries and amassed some 5,000 runs. On one occasion at Glenroy in 1975-76 Jack hit 123 in under 60 minutes. Another player with these qualities, although without the sheer hitting power of Jack Hogan, is Anthony Brown. Anthony has played with the Club for 16 years – Under 12 upwards. In two seasons between 1976-1978 he made in excess of 1,000 runs in the Division 1 Under 16 competition. In the 1980’s he has played many fine innings particularly in pressure games and in the final series. It is unfortunate that some of the early score sheets have been lost but it is estimated that Anthony has, overall, exceeded 5,000 runs and, in the process, has made six centuries.
4. OUTSTANDING BOWLERS
The Club has been fortunate in having a range of outstanding bowlers over the years. Our memories and the score sheets tell us a great deal about some of them and their outstanding performances. - 4 -
Over 17 years up till the 1980’s Alan Trainor (right arm-fast) was clearly the most consistent strike bowler. In the First XI he picked up 40 wickets in a season on 4 occasions and reached 25-30 wickets in a season on 7 other occasions.
Wally Parolin (left arm-swing) in the early 1970’s as a member of the First XI collected in excess of 50 wickets in a season on two occasions. Wally was also a prolific wicket taker in junior cricket. There is little doubt that if Wally had continued with senior cricket he would have been one of the highest ever wicket takers in the competition. His ability to swing and cut the ball troubled all batsmen.
Neville Thorne was another left arm swing bowler, similar to Wally Parolin, but somewhat faster. Neville joined the Club in the early 1970’s from the local Church competition. Before that as a junior in the Westmeadows team he had been a prolific wicket taker. Neville captured more than 40 wickets as a member of the First XI on three occasions. On two others he collected in excess of thirty wickets. Neville was an excellent opening bowler who, like Alan Trainor, could bowl accurately for extended periods.
Mark Thompson (left arm-fast) was clearly the quickest bowler in the Club right from the time he played Under 12 cricket. He did not play many senior games because of football commitments but it is clear that he could have been just as successful in first class cricket as he has been in VFL football. He captured some 150 wickets in first division Under 12, 14 and 16 competitions in the 1970’s.
Mick Mullen (right arm-fast) was another bowler who had the potential to run through an opposition batting order. On one occasion he took nine wickets in an innings and eight wickets in another; early in an innings and on his day there was no better bowler. Injury prevented him from bowling fast for long periods and prompted an earlier than hoped for retirement. - 5 -
A bowler who would be an automatic selection in any “A” Grade Luscombe Shield Club is Steve Thompson. Steve has clearly been the bowler of the 1980’s. His left arm spin and variety has won him the honour as the most respected bowler in the competition. Steve regularly takes 30 wickets or more in a season, regularly bowls 20 overs or more in an innings and, because of his accuracy, creates opportunities for bowlers at the other end. He is clearly one of the best players ever to represent the Club.
We have also been fortunate to have had in our teams bowlers who could effectively tie up an end, reduce scoring, achieve early or mid-order breakthroughs, put the opposition on the defensive or who have put together one or two brilliant seasons of bowling. Bowlers in this category who come to mind include Shane McWhinney, Mark Mellerick, Des Purcell, Sam Wright, Bob Hunter, Peter Preston, Glen Wilson, Ron Makin, Mick Wilkins and Wayne Reardon.
5. ALL ROUNDERS
Most clubs have several players who can bat and bowl. Our Club has been no exception although it is hard to find a “genuine” all-rounder (ie: a player high in both bowling and batting averages on a regular basis).
More often than not the Saints all-rounders have tended to be much stronger as a batsman or as a bowler. Nonetheless several capable all-rounders come to mind.
Wally Parolin was a good bat and bowler particularly as a junior. His batting tended to give way to his bowling in his senior career.
Kevin Tormey was a genuine all-rounder and so is Mark Allen. Anthony Brown and Richard Brown also bat and bowl. Anthony has a competition bowling average to his credit.
Two of our better performed all-rounders were Jack Hogan and Bob Hunter. Jack’s batting sometimes overshadowed his efforts with the ball, but he took a lot of wickets particularly in the opposition middle order. Bob Hunter was a good bowler and batsman. He won a Club championship because of his dual ability. - 6 -
Other players who have displayed genuine above-average, all-rounder abilities have been Mark Mellerick, Shane McWhinney, Shane Lepp, Kevin Iles and Des Purcell.
Ricky Krantz is another player with genuine all-rounder abilities.
6. WICKET KEEPERS
The Club has always had good “keepers”. We mention those who have had 25 dismissals or more in a season. Vin Caddy was a brilliant keeper with extraordinary reflexes which also carried over into his batting. Ray Lee was another keeper with extraordinary reflexes which enabled him to stand up to the stumps for most, if not all, bowlers. Ray was also a powerful middle order bat. Noel Stephens, an opening bat, was a lively and successful keeper for several seasons. Greg Dolman, a fine batsman, was also a quality keeper with a high dismissal rate. Bruce Thompson, a sound opening and later middle order batsman, was a fine keeper with a high rate of dismissals over many seasons. Neil Brown, an opening bat, kept wickets successfully for a number of seasons.
7. COLOURFUL PLAYERS
Every club has a player or two who do something or other which helps team morale. Some players, as we know, are more colorful than others.
Ray Lee was a colorful personality who always had a word or two of advice for umpires and opposing players. Hank Mellerick had a dry humour which helped his team when things may not have been going well. - 7 -
Peter Preston has been one of the personalities of the Club. Like Ray Lee, Peter is not short on advice to umpires and opposing players. Stacey Callender has always been good for morale – even when he is really serious or experiencing some mishap (which has been quite regular for Stacey). Vin Caddy always had an effervescent personality which flowed across the team. Opposition players sometimes did not view it the same way, but Vin had the ability to see it through. Darren Briggs becomes more colorful as Saturday lingers on. Darren is not short of a word of advice to opposition players and, after a few “convivials”, to his team mates as well. Pat Culhane always smiling, always keen to bowl, always ready to “have a go”, always there. Peter Raphael on his day a prolific run getter. Colorful in the real meaning of the word, possesses a full range of unorthodox shots. Best shot is the pull over slips. Has made quite a number of big scores in senior cricket. Great for team morale.
8. BEST PARTNERSHIPS (FIRST XI)
We hope that the publication of best partnerships will set the targets to be broken by the present and future generation of Saints’ players.
First Wicket Opposing Club Runs Year
Neil Brown East Keilor 214 1965-66 Greg Dolman
* Second best first wicket was 190 against Buckley Park by John Psaltis and Joe Holland
Second Wicket
Neil Brown East Keilor 118 1969-70 Greg Dolman - 8 -
Third Wicket
Neil Brown Broadmeadows 106 1972-73
Fourth Wicket
Neil Brown Essendon Grammar 167 1971-72 Neil Harvey
Fifth Wicket
Jack Hogan Glenroy 110 1976-77 Bruce Thompson
Sixth Wicket
Hayden Kennedy Moonee Valley 87 1985-86 Neil Jones
* Second best sixth wicket was 55 against East Keilor by Kevin Tormey and Kevin Iles.
Seventh Wicket
Jack Hogan Glenroy 110 1976-77 Jeff Kedge
Eighth Wicket
Jack Hogan Keilor 158 1975-76 Neville Thorne - 9 -
Ninth Wicket
Jack Hogan Tullamarine 65 1979-80 David Preston
Tenth Wicket
Bruce Thompson East Keilor 32 1975-76 Neville Thorne
* Second best tenth wicket was 30 against Glenroy in 1972-73 by Pat Walsh and David Allen.
9. SOME INTERESTING FACTS
Best Batting Performance
First XI Jack Hogan 141 N/O Senior Teams Ricky Krantz 169 Junior Teams Dean Corboy 187 N/)
Best Bowling Performance
First XI Mick Mullen 9/31 First XI Mick Wilkins 9/41 Senior Teams Mick Wilkins 9/27 Junior Teams Ricky Krantz 8/34 Junior Teams Mark Thompson 8/45
Highest Score
First XI 401 (Buckley Park) Seniors (4th’s) 420 (East Keilor – Grand Final) - 10 -
Lowest Score
First XI 26 (Keilor – 1970)
10. PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED 3 CENTURES OR MORE
Jack Hogan – First XI 11 Kevin Iles – First XI 6 Neil Brown – First XI & Seniors 6 Anthony Brown – First XI & Juniors 6 Greg Dolman – First XI & Juniors 5 Ricky Krantz – Seniors & Juniors 4 Richard Brown – First XI & Juniors 4 Craig Mackley – First XI & Juniors 3 Dean Corboy – Seniors & Juniors 3 Vin Caddy – First XI & Juniors 3 Neil Harvey – First XI 3 Paul Caruana – Seniors 3
11. SOME OF THE BETTER PERFORMANCES
Grade Date Match Player Performance
E 1984 East Keilor Tony Missen 99 Glen Spicer 113 Paul Caruana 120 N/O
E 1984 Airport West Ricky Krantz 127 Tony Missen 102 N/O - 11 -
F 1978 Westmeadows Richard Brown 60 Craig Mackley 70 Partnership 139 (* Richard & Craig both U14)
Kevin Tormey 4/9
E 1985 Keilor Paul Caruana 117
E 1982 Keilor Park Neil Brown 101 N/O Kevin Tormey 73 Partnership 142
Kevin Tormey 7/22
F 1976 Airport West Hank Mellerick 75 N/O
E 1986 Kealba Stacey Callender 72
Stacey Callender 5/38 - 12 -
12. REPRESENTATIVES
The best First XI we could field? What does the reader think? Who would you back to win?
SIDE SIDE SIDE SIDE A B C D
1. N. STEVENS N. BROWN J. HOLLAND D. CORBOY 2. V. CADDY J. WILLIAMS D. BRIGGS H. KENNEDY 3. G. DOLMAN N. JONES J. PSALTIS C. MACKLEY 4. N. HARVEY K. TORMEY R. BROWN R. KENNEDY 5. A. BROWN K. ILES M. ALLEN S. LEPP 6. J. HOGAN S. McWHINNEY D. PURCELL D. ALLEN 7. M. MELLERICK B. THOMPSON R. LEE R. KRANTZ 8. W. PAROLIN S. WRIGHT G. WILEMAN V. MARGARETTI 9. A. TRAINOR R. MAKIN M. WILKINS D. PRESTON 10. N. THORNE G. WILSON M. MULLEN P. PRESTON 11. S. THOMPSON R. HUNTER W. REARDON A. NEEDHAM
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
WICKET KEEPING
J. Psaltis Season: 1987-88 Comp. Av.
NAME OPPOSITION YEAR R/W G. Dolman East Keilor 1964 90 N. Brown East Keilor 1964 118 N. Brown East Keilor 1966 103 K. Iles Jacana 1966 105 K. Tormey Broadmeadows 1969 6/37 K. Tormey Moonee Valley 1984 99 N. Harvey Pascoe Vale 1971 124 W. Parolin Caulfield 1972 74 W. Parolin Caulfield 1972 6/46 V. Caddy Orm. Amateurs 1974 80 V. Caddy Glenroy 1975 107 A. Trainor Keilor 1969 7/47 A. Trainor EYC 1970 8/55 D. Trainor Airport West (3) 1975 4/12 D. Trainor East Keilor (4) 1985 10/52 (for match) M. Allen Pascoe Vale (2) 1986 6/36 S. Allen Pascoe Vale (2) 1986 4/18 S. Allen Airport West (2) 8/22 P. Raphael Keilor 1974 69 P. Raphael Glenroy A (3) 1977 166 N/O D. Purcell Hadfield 1978 8/31 D. Purcell Taylors Lakes (4) 1987 99 R. Lee Moonee Ponds 1971 83 R. Lee St Francis 1975 67 E. Michaels Airport West (4) 1979 5/27 E. Michaels Airport West (4) 1979 18 N/O
E. Michaels Moonee Valley (4) 1988 6/35 S. Wilkins Tullamarine (4) 1988 14/55 (for match) N. Jones Brunswick City 1983 104 N. Jones Tullamarine 1987 93 R. Brown Doutta Stars (J) 1976 71 N/O R. Brown Coolaroo 1984 112 N/O R. Brown Moomba Park 1985 105 N/O D. Allen West Essendon (3) 1976 80 G. Spicer East Keilor (3) 1984 113 P. Caruana East Keilor (3) 1984 120 N/O M. Mellerick Maribyrnong (3) 1970 61 V. Margaretti Aberfeldie 1970 41 R. Makin Tullamarine 1985 7/39 S. Callender Tullamarine (2) 1987 82 N/O S. Callender Gladstone Park (2) 1987 9/45 C. Chandler Kealba (2) 1986 84 N/O D. Briggs Keilor Park (3) 1982 154 N/O W. Reardon Keilor Park (2) 1985 9/36 A. Needham Taylors Lakes (2) 1988 4/8 D. Iles Tullamarine (2) 1983 82 D. Iles Upfield (2) 1984 5/30 A. Brown Oak Park (J) 1977 106 N/O A. Brown Caulfield 1984 106 A. Brown Airport West 1986 87 A. Brown Hadfield 1988 123 J. Holland Moonee Valley 1987 99 J. Psaltis Hadfield (3) 1984 133 S. Thompson EYC (J) 1973 5/6 S. Thompson Glenroy A (3) 1977 51 N/O M. Thompson Doutta Stars 1976 70 N/O V. Brown Broadmeadows (J) 1975 108 V. Brown Pascoe Vale (J) 1975 61 R. Kennedy Airport West (J) 1977 65
R. Kennedy Moomba Park (J) 1978 81 H. Kennedy Gladstone Park (J) 1982 80 H. Kennedy Craigieburn (4) 1987 95 G. Wilson West Essendon 1979 6/61 J. Hogan Hadfield 1980 107 N/O N. Thorne Keilor 1973 7/40 N. Thorne Teachers 1975 6/15 N. Thorne St. Francis 1976 7/31 J. Williams Hadfield 1978 76 J. Williams Aberfeldie (4) 1984 100