OBITUARIES [Tom Wood – Club Historian]

OBITUARIES [Tom Wood – Club Historian] It is with regret that we have to report the passing of a number of former Parramatta players:- Ian Johnston - On the 1 st February 2013 Ian Johnston passed away at Wyong New South Wales aged 85 years. Originally from Newcastle he came down to play Rugby League for the Parramatta Eels in 1948. A talented five- eighth or Centre he gained immortality by becoming the Eels’ first Test player in 1949 – during the Australian tour of New Zealand – later won selection for the 1956/57 Kangaroo tour of England. On the cricket front Ian played for Central Cumberland between 1949/50 and 1954/55 – playing mainly in Second Grade – he was a skilful wicket-keeper, agile and an especially sharp stumper, and he had the ability to stick around and contribute some handy lower order runs with the bat. His playing statistics for the club were – 550 runs @ 13.41 (H.S. 53), 55 dismissals (30 ct & 25 st). Maurie Lilienthal OAM – Maurie Lilienthal was Cricket NSW’s oldest Life Member when he passed away on 17 th February 2013 at the grand old age of 95 years. Maurie played for Central Cumberland as batsman / wicket-keeper between 1939/40 and 1942/43 after transferring from the Marrickville grade club. Regarded as a gentleman and great team player his playing record with Cumberland was:- • First Grade – 528 runs @ 11.23 (H.S. 66) and 10 dismissals (9 ct & 1 st). He was reputed to have had a great penchant for the hook shot. • Second Grade – 121 runs @ 7.40 (H.S. 45) and 8 dismissals . • Served on the club’s General Committee from 1940/41 to 1942/43. After the1942/43 season he moved to Concord, and in the era of residential qualifications he had to sever his association with Central Cumberland. With another former Cumberland player Jack Fitzpatrick he was a key member of the group that launched the Bankstown District Cricket Club and oversaw its entry into the Sydney Grade competition in 1951. His association with Bankstown stretched to 2001- Maurie also served the NSWCA for many years in a variety of administration roles and was honoured with Life Membership of the association. David Timbs – Former Cumberland player David Timbs was yet another ex club representative to pass on in 2013 (17 th February). Dave was a most capable player and fine clubman with Cumberland over a period of time ranging from 1962/63 through to 1969/70 . A right-handed medium pacer who won a reputation for bowling a tight line and extracting movement off the seam, he was also a determined lower order fighter with the bat. One of the highlights of his career was being a member of Alan Cramond’s 1964/65 Third Grade Premiership winning team – he played a crucial role in the Final win with a dogged 40 when the innings was a “bit shaky” sharing a 9th wicket partnership with Bob Myatt of 94. His total career statistics in all grades with Cumberland were – 172 wickets @ 19.00 (B.B. 7/10) and 1,292 runs @ 13.18 (H.S. 61). • The bulk of his cricket was played in 3rd grade (he did play two 2 nd grade games) and in this team he claimed 95 wickets @ 23.31 (B.B. 5/82) and scored 963 runs @ 15.79 (H.S. 61). • He also met with considerable success in 4th grade – 77 wickets @ 13.38 and 323 runs @ 9.23 (H.S. 36) – his best season was 1962/63 his initial outing with Cumberland and he captured an impressive 44 wickets @ 13.32 – highlighted by his demolition job on Western Suburbs when he grabbed 7 – 10 (including 4 in 4 balls). Post his playing days David decided to go on the dark side and joined the NSW Umpires Association in 1993 and he remained an active member of that body until 2011 – officiating in 271 grade matches (25 in 1st Grade) – along the way he held a number of administrative and mentoring roles with that body. Club Poet Laureate Bob McMillan a team mate of David’s in 1964/65 3 rd grade team (as was Tom Wood) penned this short verse in honour of David Timbs – David Timbs – “Team Man” Earnest and steadfast, resolute of mind, An all-rounder, a team Man; Loyal and determined – truly, the best of mankind! Retired: 17 th February 2013 Bill Keato - Bill Keato passed away on 8 th October, 2012 aged 93 years. A diminutive man who played for Central Cumberland from 1940/41 to 1946/47 - but with World War 2 in full blaze for most of that period - Bill like many other sportsmen had to grab restricted opportunities to play whenever their Military commitments permitted. He was a very gifted sportsman playing both Cricket and Rugby League at First Grade level in Sydney. For Central Cumberland he appeared as talented all- rounder whose cricketing career wasn’t given its full opportunity to develop and blossom due to the military service disruptions. His played the major portion of his career with Cumberland in First grade and his statistics with the club were – 573 runs @ 17.36 (H.S. 64) and 22 wickets @ 22.09 – as befits a top line footballer Bill was rated a nibble and smart fieldsman. But Bill Keato was best known as a prodigious goal kicking Rugby League Fullback for the famous Western Suburbs Magpies – he starred for them in 119 first grade matches (776 points) between 1938 and 1950 , including being a key member of the 1948 Premiership winning team. William Hunter Smith - Only a few short months after celebrating the venerable old age of 100 years (27 th February) – as reported in the 2011-12 Annual Report - William Hunter “Bill” Smith the “oldest living Cumbo” closed his long innings in 2012. In his playing days with the club between 1947 and 1949 he played 2 nd and 3 rd grade as a wicket-keeper and was referred to in reports of that era as a competent gloveman and a congenial team mate. Farewell to the old Parramatta cricketers mentioned above may they rest in eternal peace . .

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