TH O’DOWD DECLARES 4 .April, 2014

Congratulations to the St.Josephs Club in winning its 3rd. GCA 1st.X1 flag, the last 25 years ago in season 1988-89. Being runners-up since that season in 1992-93, 1998-99, 2002-03 and 2003-04, it was a wonderful week-end for the Club.

The “ script” could not have been written better as the season celebrated the Clubs 50th. year in District Cricket, joining the elite level of local cricket that season in 1964-65 instigated by Bro Stewart ,Chanel College also affiliating, the Chanel Club “folding” after just 7 seasons later but produced many excellent cricketers, the list headed by Mike Bowtell with 2,253 runs @ 46.9 plus bowlers Peter Connoley with 123 @ 17.3 and David Ludowyk’s sensational 8/71 in an against St.Josephs in 1969-70.

A night of celebrations by a trio of SJC Legends summed it all

President Ian Courtney said “The 1st.X1 premiership victory was a just reward for the culmination of many years work from a huge number of people both on and off the field and we believe it will be the impetus for ongoing Club success”

Ex-President Ken Gannon, despite his demanding job as the AFL Facilities and Project Manager (and gun opening former batsman at St.Josephs) reflected “It was great to be at the grand final and see a great performance by Trent Walerys and then a great effort by Leigh Kentish with a stylish 75no (only bettered in a St. Josephs grand final with Graeme Beaumont’s 78 against North Geelong in season 1988-89, the Clubs last 1st.X1 flag ). “It just shows everyone how hard grand finals are to win and what players have to commit. Also to win in such a good environment at a great venue made the day a great one for the Club especially after waiting so long”

Legendary Barry McFarlane, a friend of mine and class-mate in the 1960’s at St.Josephs was reduced to tears saying “To win in the Club’s 50th. year makes it very special. The smiles on peoples faces on Sunday night made all the effort worthwhile”

This Grand-Final match will be remembered by former GCC 1st.X1 star record holder Trent Walerys ( 369 wickets @ 22.3, best of 7/59) with an outstanding 8/46, being the only bowler ever in a GCA 1st.X1 grand final to collect 8 wickets in an innings, the best precisely 50 seasons ago when Murray Allen blitzed Geelong City with 9/63, opening batsman GCA Legend the late John Russell felled on the third ball off the match and ambulanced to hospital after thumping Murray for two fours previously.

The match was “won and lost” with Souths superstars in Joel Davies (2) and Clinton Peake (0) knocked early but one hopes the great Clinton Peake “soldiers on” to achieve a first X1 flag for the Club he started with as a junior.

Only ten bowlers ever have now taken 7 wickets or more in a grand final, the last by Peter Quick in season 1995-96 with 7/22 for North Geelong against Leopold in 1995-96 prior to Walerys outstanding effort off 8/46 last weekend.

For South Barwon, a day when players are totally frustrated with our great game and “never want to play again” after a grand final loss but come the winter months and roll-on October this year as time is a great healer. The Saints will be eager to defend and secure “ back-to-back” flags whilst South Barwon will be even more determined to go that one step better after back-to-back Runners-up.

One has to be feeling for South Barwon champion all-rounder Brad Hauenstein as he has “done-it-all” at South Barwon but is yet to have the GCA medal “imbedded” around his neck.

Being the Club’s recold holder of most games, most runs, most centuries and second only behind the legendary John Ross’s wickets in a career and he closing in on Country Week record stats in terms of games, runs and wickets, this outstanding cricketer hopefully will play again for a few more seasons.

He has been in career best form with a ton in round 12 followed by 93 then 5/43 in the qualifying final and now a defiant 53 in the grand final. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ok, a brief look at grand finals 100 years ago, 50 years ago and 10 years ago…………………

Actually 100 years ago there were no finals, in fact no GCA at all as it folded after 17 seasons. GCA Secretary / Treasurer Charles Brownlow asked clubs to affiliate for the 1913-14 season and only Geelong “A” & Geelong “B” did so, the two sides comprising Geelong Footballers and due to this apathy two Geelong CC sides were admitted to Victorian Sub-District Cricket playing its home matches at Corio Oval. With no turf cricket in Geelong, the Matting association was the nursery for the Sub-District team.

So ended the 17 year reign of the GCA with two Geelong teams stepping on sat Oct 4th. 1913 from the indifference of local cricket into the keen competition of the MelbourneSub-District Association.

As we know the GCA reformed in 1928-29 and is now one of the biggest Country Cricket Associations in Australia.

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50 years ago the season of 1963-64 witnessed the domination of South Barwon’s spin twins in John Ross with 52 wickets @ 11.1 and Jim Roberts with 31 wickets @ 10.1. Geelong footballer with awkard lift and bite made a sensational debut with 8/61 for Newtown & Chilwell against Corio whilst Andrews footy team-mate, transferred from GWC&FC to South Barwon and hammered 50 on debut with his new club. Paul Sheahan amassed 223 for Geelong College against Melbourne Grammar, the first double for the College since in 1932.

South Barwon and GWC&FC lost their semi-finals Neil Trezise sensationally out first ball off the GWC&FC v GeelongCity match leaving Corio and GeelongCity to contest the grand final. The match is remembered as Murray Allen’s match, our late past President unplayable with 9/63 in City’s first innings of 124, the other batsman, former GCA Legend John Russell knocked out and ambulanced to hospital after the 3rd. ball of the match after the aggressive opener smacked the first two balls for fours. Brian Rhodes with 39 and Stuart Stacey with 38 formed the bulk of City’s score. Batting again, City fared a little better with 165, Murray Allen again in control with 4/47.

Murray’s 9/63 still stands as the best bowling in a grand final . Only 10 bowlers have ever taken 7 wickets or more in an innings in a grand final, the last by Peter Quick with 7/22 for North Geelong against Leopold in 1995-96 prior to Trent Walerys 8/46 last weekend.

Corio’s premiership team was Gordon McKay ( c), Derek Sandell, Colin Lockwood, Peter Osborne, Ross Allen, Alan McKenzie, Lyle Allen, Richard Perry, Laurie Winch, Milton Tattersall and Murray Allen.

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10 years ago, 2003-04, Newcomb & District was elevated to Division One together with St. Peters. BPH and Leopold were eased back to Division Two, BPH a controversial demotion in some eyes as it was the reigning GCA 1st.X1 premier of the last two seasons. North Geelong champion Alf Clark made a century in his 200th. game. Sam Loftus made round five his own with the outstanding double of 158 & 7/44 for St.Josephs against Lara, being just the 6th.player ever to achieve the century /7wickets double.

St.Peters maiden season was extraordinary by playing in the finals but was beaten by the more experienced Grovedale, St.Josephs accounting for Lara to set-up a Grovedale-St.Josephs grand final, being the first time the two clubs had clashed in a grand final. Grovedale rattled up 9/281, being its seasons best. Gary Kelson’s 111 and Mark Baker with 80 were the foundation of Grovedale’s innings, Sam Loftus bowling his heart out with 6/103.

St Josephs replied with 232 in a high scoring match, Ian Courtney and Damian Foster with 54 apiece gallant in defeat, Colin Millard 4/67 and Graeme Harper 3/45 bowling their side to victory.

Grovedale’s maiden premiership thus “took the monkey off its back”, its first flag after 19 seasons. For St.Josephs, Club Champions and minor premiers the loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the successfully led Ken Gannon club, once again the “bridesmaid” after being runners-up the previous season, also runners-up in 1998-99 and 1992-93.

Premiership team: Mark Baker, Gary Kelson, Colin Millard, Mark Brady, Clinton Ford, Kelvin Ford, Shane Poyner, Scott Hovey, Andrew Kent, Graeme Harper and Nathan Clark.

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It was another sad exit for Geelong last weekend against Footscray-Edgewater , Geelong’s 194 falling just short of the target of 218.

However the rampaging Footscray-Edgewater flogged Essendon with 8/526 (dec) to win the flag, Footscrays total the 4th. highest in VCA / Premier Cricket in a grand final, the best by Prahran against Collingwood in 1921-22 with 688.

In Passing for the season, this column for 27 years has selected the “GCA TEAM OF THE SEASON” (in my opinion) based on stats and balance at the end of the home and away season. So here we go in batting order…. ( minimum 300 runs and 25 wickets)

PLAYER CLUB AV WKT AV S E S E

Glg.City 771 59.3 R.Oliver M.Linekar East-B 557 46.4 J.Thorne Nth.Geelo 871 108.9 ng A.Fergusson Nth.Geelo 715 59.6 ng S.Scannell East-B 419 83.8 J.Davies Sth.Barwo 465 46.5 n M.Hanley (wk) East-Bel 401 44.6 A.Cook Glg West 28 14.2 T.Walerys (c ) St.Josephs 32 14.6 M.Freijah Highton 25 15.5 K.Agg Glg City 37 16.0 B.Patton (12th. bat) Grovedale 488 44.4 T.Wight(12th.bwl) Glg West 26 16.1

Thank you all for supporting this Column over so many years.

We look forward to season 2014-15 with great delight.

KEVIN

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 22

th 28 .March 2014

To say cricket is an unpredictable game is certainly an understatement as was proven last weekend when hot favourites North Geelong was rolled by St.Josephs, 210 to 199 in an epic semi-final. North, on top of the home-and-away ladder with 11 wins were magnificently led by to-be Jack Sing Medallist and Cricketer-of-the- Year Jacob Thorne with a GCA record 980 runs in a GCA 1st.X1 season (including finals). On reflection, Thorne’s decision to terminate the round 13 match against Geelong City with 14 overs remaining and on 111no after the game was won probably cost him the opportunity of achieving a milestone which may never be beaten of 1,000 runs in a season.

Before the match, North Geelong’s highest score of the season was 316 and it was against St.Josephs, that score also the highest score against The Saints for the season. The hero was Kew recruit, Sam McTaggart with a season’s best 6/65 being the first time he has collected more than two wickets in an innings this season.

In the other semi, South Barwon’s 6/161 was too good for reigning premier East- Belmont, Clinton Peake guiding his side to victory with an unbeaten 47. Curiously South’s first 3 batsmen in Joshua Baker, Brad Hauenstein and Jack Spence were all dismissed for 13 apiece.

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So we move this weekend into the climax of the season which is unique as South Barwon and St.Josephs have never before been combatants in a GCA 1st.X1 grand final, South joining the senior competition in 1951-52 and St.Josephs in 1964-65. Both sides will be chasing the elusive Cup after “long droughts” with South Barwon winning its last flag in 1976-77, its 5 premierships return from 12 grand finals whilst St. Josephs last flag was in 1988-89, its second after playing in 6 grand finals.

With St.Josephs having celebrated 50 years this season in District Cricket with a Gala Dinner at the Room on Feb 22nd. a premiership would indeed be a romantic finish to a superb season.

The best performances in a grand final for the two teams are for South,157 by Russell Peake against East-Belmont in 1972-73 and Graeme Powell with 8/59 against Corio in 1965-66 whilst for St.Josephs Graeme Beaumont compiled 78 against North Geelong in 1988-89 and who else than Damian DeGrandi crunched Geelong City with 6/19 in 1974-75.

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As a side-light, five ex Geelong Cricket Club players will be locking horns in the grand final, Daniel Fanning, Trent Walerys and David Morgan for St. Josephs plus Joel Davies and Clinton Peake for South Barwon.

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The prestigious Division One Club Championship was won by East-Belmont, its 12th. since the Club Championship commenced in 1967-68, followed by North Geelong (9 wins), Newtown & Chilwell (8), St.Josephs (7), Leopold (4), South Barwon (4) and Grovedale (3).

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st The top-ten GCA 1 .X1 batsmen for the home-and-away season were…

NO PLAYER CLUB RUNS AVE 1 J.Thorne North Geelong 871 108.9 2 S.Scannell East-Belmont 419 83.8 3 A.Fergusson North Geelong 715 59.6 4 R.Oliver Geelong City 771 59.3 5 J.Wood Newtown & Chilwell 422 46.9 6 J.Davies South Barwon 465 46.5 7 M.Lineker East-Belmont 557 46.4 8 M.Hanley East-Belmont 401 44.6 9 B.Patton Grovedale 488 44.4 10 A.Pitts Geelong City 416 41.6

The top-ten bowlers were…

NO PLAYER CLUB WKTS AVE 1 J.Cook Geelong West 28 14.3 2 T.Walerys St.Josephs 32 14.6 3 M.Freijah Highton 25 15.5 4 K.Agg Geelong City 37 16.0 5 T.Wight Geelong West 26 16.1 6 C.Young Grovedale 29 17.6 7 C.Alford Newtown & Chilwell 25 17.8 8 L.Kentish St.Josephs 26 17.9 9 G.Yelland Grovedale 30 18.0 10 B.Nichols Murgheboluc 26 18.2

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 21

st 21 .March 2014

“O’Dowd Declares” has “waffled on” in one form or another for 27 years but it should be “renamed” this season to “The Jake Thorne Column” as this wonderful batsman I have written about so many times this season has broken records at GCA and North Geelong that Magpie Club Legends, Roger Allen, Shane Mc Grath , current Club President, Colin Millard, coach Sam Hall and veteran current 1st.X1 player Brad Scown would have not contemplated in their “wildest dreams” when they recruited him from the Geelong Cricket Club this season.

But from round one with 60 on debut against Murgheboluc, he was a “man on a mission”. He in now “all-conquering’ in GCA 1st X1 cricket following his again match-winning ton of 105 no against Newtown & Chilwell in the Qualifying Final.

He in now sitting in “uncharted waters” as his century sits him with the great and legendary Jack Sing with 5 centuries in a season of 1948-49 which included finals so he has the chance of even overcoming that record with continuing finals innings.

His 105 last week also surpassed Jack Sing’s record of “most runs in a season – including finals” as he has now flown past Jack Sing’s record of 944 runs, Thorne now sitting on 976 runs and poised to become the first GCA batsman ever to compile 1000 runs in a GCA 1st.X1 season.

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To arrive at the crease in any form of cricket batting at no 3 is daunting at 1/0 To do so in Premier Cricket, being one step from First-Class cricket and your side riding on a win to play in Premier Cricket finals is” Doubly” demanding but young Eamonn Vines did so last week with a gallant 101. His heroic innings deposited GCC at 7/302. The former South Barwon bat has scored 486 runs in his debut season which has included two centuries.

His maiden season of 486 runs is only bettered at this point of time by Club Great, Jason Bakker (596 runs in GCC’s maiden season of 1993-94) and Hayden Butterworth with 509 runs in 2010-11

It proves that any Geelong Cricket Association batsman “worth his salt” can play GCC 1st.X1 cricket in his initial season and not “wait” some seasons in lower grade GCC teams to play top cricket in Geelong.

So GCC 1st.X1 is one win away from a Premier Cricket Grand Final regaining State express Jake Reed this weekend in the semi-final against Footscray Edgewater.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 20

th 14 .March, 2014

This column continues to follow the cricket heights of “our own” Aaron Maynard who excelled in the Geelong Cricket Club with 397 runs in 2005-06 at 1st.X1.

Only 4 batsmen have exceeded Aarons debut season at GCC, (Jason Bakker with 596runs in 1993-94), Hayden Butterworth (509 in 2010-11), Ian Redpath (484 in 2000-01- no not “The Ian Redpath) ) and Kevin Neville in 1993-94 with 404 runs).

Maynard hit a brilliant 113 last saturday for Altona against Ascot Vale to propel his club into the finals, his stunning innings within Altona’s 7/213 defeating Endeavour Hills 8/212.

Former GCC coach David Breheny and former Altona player would be chuffed with his magnificent season.

In doing so, his 718 runs @ 71.8 which included 3 centuries for the season sent him to win the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association batting aggregate and average competition.

No other bat hit 3 centuries for the season.

A former Queensland U19’s state player, Altona’s gain is the GCC’s loss. He played 31 Premier Cricket 1st.X1 games for Geelong with 714 runs @ 26.4 with a best of 125no against Essendon in season 2006-07 but left shortly later and played for Camberwell to join the family business in Melbourne

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Well done Jake Thorne on yet another ton, his four centuries this season the most in a North Geelong Season ever , surpassing Jack Walker’s 3 hundreds in season 1933-34. His runs of 871 at an average off 108.0 are equally outstanding. He thus overtakes in rampaging style the previous North record of Alf Clark with 645 runs @ 71.7 in a home-and-away season in 2007- 08 and also Graeme Beaumont with 674 runs @ 67.4 in a season of 1994-95 which includes finals.

However it is “fitting” that he DID NOT break Jack Sings’ record of 901 runs in a home-and- away season of 1948-49 as Jack Sing only played 9 home-and-away matches for 9 innings which included 5 centuries in compiling his 901 runs at 150.2 compared to Thorne’s 13 innings over 12 matches.

But with North in the finals Thorne can still break Jack Sing’s overall record of 944 runs in the same season of 1948-49 which included finals, Jack “failing” with 8 & 35 in the grand final (and a washout in the semi where he did not bat) and Thorne maybe to surpass 1000 runs in a season.

North Geelong as league leaders has a maximum of 3 finals and a minimum of two but with bad weather forecast this weekend, we all await Thorne’s required 74 runs to break Sing’s overall record and a further 55 runs to take him into “uncharted territory” of 1,000 runs in a season.

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1. Some other highlights

1. East-Belmonts lowest score of 110 of the season totally overtaken by a rampaging Newtown & Chilwell’s second highest score of the season, Cam Alford (3/19) the star. Newtown & Chilwell, last playing in the finals in 2002-03 are a force to not be overlooked, Foss, Neville, Ferguson and Alford “hitting their straps” at the “business- end” of the season.

The “upset” win catapulted Newtown into the finals.

2. Jarron Cook followed up a brilliant 6/32 last match against St.Joseph with an equally gallant 4/46 last Saturday against flag possibilities South Barwon. With 35 In the late order, a “Player of the Future”.

3. Murgheboluc CC can hold its high having won 4 games in its initial season with defeats over strong clubs St.Josephs, Geelong West, Geelong City and a struggling Highton.

South Barwon Brad Hauenstein is still starring to his spectacular form with 100no followed by 93 in the last two rounds. Toss in 2/26 last round after a strong Country Week, beware South Barwon with Clinton Peake and Joel Davies “lurking’ in the background, South Barwons last GCA 1ST.X1 flag in 1976-77.

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 19

th 7 .March 2014

A champion batsman and equally modest gentleman has not played a GCA 1st.X1 match this season but “who is he as he played last season ?”

He sits 6th on the all-time runmakers with 8,287 runs behind greats Alf Clark (10,508), Jack Sing (10,251), Harry Heard (9,741), Ross Alymer (9,564) and Lindsay Hassett’s brother, Vin Hassett with 8,640 runs.

He also is one of only 11 batsmen to compile 3000 plus runs and average 40 or more in a career.

He has his 8,287 runs at spot on 40.0

He is Rod Kiddle.

He decided to “take a break” from top GCA cricket this season due to “ a bit burnt out from last season” plus family holidays which he can enjoy during the summer with his family but this star batsman has not retired.

He has played a few games in the seconds this season with a couple of twenties to “keep his hand in”

At age 45, he has not ruled out totally a return to top GCA cricket.

Rod started his GCA 1st.X1 career at Leopold in 1984-85 against North Geelong and has since had stints with Grovedale and Newtown & Chilwell but he is “back at home “ where he started with his equally star cricketer brother in Darren, their late father Les always proud of his sons.

Rod also missed three GCA seasons playing for Prahran for two seasons where he made two tons playing with greats Aravinda De.Silva and sadly gone Andrew Scott and one year at North Melbourne- Geelong.

At Country Week he also can boast a wonderful record –

He was the top bat with 178 @ 44.5 in the 2001 Carnival, did the same with 124 @31.0 in 2006 and sits 2nd behind Glenn Ward with most Country Week Carnivals of 15 with 13 and most Country Week matches of 53, again behind Ward with 61.

A Country Week career best was 108 against Sale-Maffra in the 2001 Carnival, his Country Week runs of 1,345 at a brilliant average of 31.3

We look forward to you Rod in top grade next season.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The combination of Jake Thorne from GCC recruit as captain and loyal North master Sam Hall as playing coach has been a brilliant combination culminating at this stage of the season with North being flag favourites.

However this Saturday is “Sam’s Day” when he walks out to bat against Geelong City – being his 150th match since his debut in 1999-00 against Geelong Cement (later called Manifold Heights).

Sam Hall is the North Geelong current games leader behind Alf Clarks’ overall record of 287 games and again of current players has 7 centuries, again behind Clark’s 18

North, challenging its highest score of the season against Geelong’s City’s 261 will need all guns blazing.

Back to Sam, his 3,983 runs would be a fine tribute if he makes those extra 17 runs to lead the Magpies to victory and pass 4000 runs, a North Premiership player in 1996-07.

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Lara’s below-par of 50 against Grovedale last Saturday was an embarrassing total in the Club’s proud history. However most followers of this column would not know Lara played one season in GCA 1st.X1 in season 1950-51 with a lowest score of 24 against CYMS only to then rejoin GCA 1st.X1 in 1985-86.

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Another “star” player who receives little recognition is Geelong City’s Adam Pitts.

A brilliant 116 against North Geelong last week and following his 118no against Lara this season, he sits at Geelong City with the most tons of 9 off current players, legendry Harry Heard with 26, would I say never to be broken ?

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 18

th 28 .February, 2014

Together with the , The Geelong Cricket Association also mourns the passing of Ced Hovey. Ced was the oldest surviving GFC player and this column, as also the GCA’s historian also believes Ced was the oldest surviving GCA 1st.X1 player.

He played a total of 135 GCA 1st.X1 matches between 1938-1960 for 5 clubs – South Geelong, Geelong West, Geelong Footballers, CYMS and Geelong City since making his debut for South Geelong against Newtown & Chilwell on 29th. October, 1938 and despite his inglorious debut of notching “a pair” he went on to score 3,208 runs at precisely 30.0, being one of only 45 batsmen to compile 3,000 or career runs @ 30 or more.

With 6 centuries and a best of 125no for CYMS against Ford Motor Company in 1949-50 the talented all-round sportsman also captured 106 wickets at a lean 17.1, his best being 6/29 for CYMS in 1950-51. A premiership member on four occasions, once for Geelong Footballers in 1946-47, his other 3 premierships were for Geelong City in the club’s “golden era” with flags in 1951-52, 1953-54 & 1954-55 of which Ced was a member.

A Country Week Carnival in 1946 registered him a premiership member over Ballarat.

A Victorian railways employee, he captained the Victorian Railways team in the Interstate Railways Cricket Carnival held in 1954-55.

A quiet but generous man, some years ago he donated his CYMS blazer which is proudly housed in the GCA Memorabilia Cabinet at GCA headquarters at Winter Reserve. CYMS only played GCA 1st.X1 cricket four 4 seasons between 1947-48 and 1950-51 and this piece of “priceless” memorabilia is believed to be the only item of CYMS memorabilia in existence.

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Congratulations to Jake Reed on his selection for Victoria, albeit a modest Sheffield Shield debut against South Australia’s imposing 6/511 at the Adelaide Oval with figures of 0/88 off 19 overs. Recruited from Mildura in 2010-11 he thus becomes the 8th. GCC player to pay first-class cricket, joining Kevin Neville (1993-94), Jason Bakker (1994-95 to 1999-00), Clinton Peake (1994-95 to 1996-97 & 1999-00 to 2000-01), Brad Stacey (1995-96 &1996-97),Grant Lindsay (1996-97), Ben Oliver (2000-01) and Aaron Finch (2007-08 to present time).

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Congratulations also to the Country Week boys on winning the GCA’s 26th.premiership over previously undefeated Mornington Peninsula, being Geelong’ 3rd. flag in the past 4 years. Geelong has now played Mornington Peninsula on 19 occasions for 10 wins and 9 losses. The two sides have now met in 5 grand finals with Mornington Peninsula the victors in 2005, 1998 and 1991, Geelong triumphant this year and in 1993.

Every cricketer in the world dreams of playing on the famous MCG so for the Geelong twelve off Chris Bambury ( c), Sam Hall, Leigh Kentish, Jayden Hicks, Mark Lineker (man-of-the-match), Andrew Fergusson, Josh Vrbovski, Brad Heinstein,Jacob Smith, Rhys Burke, Tim Wight & Tim Sells, the joint jubilation of both playing on the hallowed turf and winning the Cup will leave indelible memories, especially for premiership debutants this year of Kentish, Hicks, Lineker, Smith, Burke & Wight.

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Further Country Week “bits & pieces” –

• Coach Peter Quick was appointed coach 4 seasons ago and has masterminded 3 premierships.

• Jayden Hicks topped the batting aggregates and average in his maiden Carnival.

• Veteran Brad Hauenstein has headed the bowling aggregates a record 8 times including the last 5 consecutive Carnivals but was joined by debutant Tim Wight this season with 11 wickets apiece, Wight not having a single bat for the week (all sides allowed 12 active players per match).

• Brad Hauenstein has now played in three Country Week premierships, 2014, 2012 & 2011. The legendary Harry Heard heads the list with 7 flags in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947, 1953, 1954 & 1958. th • Leigh Kentish’s 45 & 3/54 in the opening round against South-West was just the 27 . occasion a Geelong all-rounder has achieved “the double” in a match of 30 runs & 3 wickets or more in an innings, Hauenstein having achieved this double four times in the last 6 years.

• Geelong’s opening round score of 354 has only been surpassed twice with 2/420 in the 1938 Carnival (K.Brown 202no, J.Mutton 108no, L.Metherell 78), the highest ever of 463 in the same Carnival, a premiership win over Bendigo with 463 (V.Hassett 137, V.Osterman 93, H.Heard 81).

• The Country Week Carnival Provincial grand final next year will return to The Albert Ground as the MCG will be unavailable due to World Cup requirements.

Aggregates & Averages off all players to play in this years Carnival are –

PLAYER GAMES RUNS HS AVE WKTS BEST AVE

C.Bambury 3 171 137 57.0 0 0/20 - R.Burke 4 26 16 6.5 5 4/0 9.6 A.Fergusson 5 153 65 30.6 0 0/5 - S.Hall 5 95 48 19.0 J.Hicks 4 172 68* 86.0 0 0/9 - B.Hauenstein 5 47 22 15.7 11 5/17 7.8 T.Sells 3 70 65 23.3 M.Kennedy 3 6 4 3.0 2 1/8 15.5 L.Kentish 3 51 45 17.0 6 3/34 15.8 M.Lineker 5 106 60 21.2 0 0/1 - J.Smith 5 34 19 8.5 J.Vrbovski 4 72 28* 24.0 10 4/37 11.0 D.Weigl 3 30 25 10.0 0 0/9 - T.Wight 5 - - - 11 3/10 11.5 J.Wood 3 31 21 10.3

Richie Olivers blazing 203no last week against Highton has been well documented in the Press but two stats need to be added – He is Geelong City’s first ever double-centurian in GCA Division One 1st.X1 cricket in City’s 76 years since joining the senior competition in 1928-29 and thus has overtaken the previous record of A. “Ike” Gosbell, a former GCA Living Legend with 188 against North Geelong in 1939-40. Secondly with 4 centuries this season he joins greats who have achieved 4 tons in a season of Harry Heard in seasons 1948-49 & 1954-55, Ken Brown (1937-38) & Len Metherell (1935-36) and is only headed by Metherell for Geelong Footballers with 5 in a season in 1939-40 and Jack Sing for Geelong West in 1948-49. With City only an outside chance of playing finals cricket, this round may prove an historic one if the English Shropshire recruit of last season peels off another three figures against league-leaders North Geelong in this last home-and-away round.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14 ARTICLE NO 17 23rd. February 2014

Mitchell Johnson’s demolition of the Poms and now South Africa with 12 match wickets in the 1st.Test makes us reflect on our “back-yard” best bowling figures in a match in GCA 1st.X1 since 1896-97.

FIGURES PLAYER CLUB OPPOSITION SEASON

15/45 W.Orchard Corio (Pre WW1) Clarendon 1905-06

15/84 W.Eason East Geelong (Pre Geelong West (Pre 1912-13

WW1) WW1)

15/119 D.McCabe- Newtown & Chilwell Ford Motor Co. 1936-37

Doyle

14/70 V.Hornsey High School-East Newtown & 1949-50 sf

Chilwell

14/71 W.Eason North Geelong Geelong City 1928-29

14/80 J.Cairns Clarendon Geelong 1896-97

14/95 V.Profitt Newtown & Chilwell Ford Motor Co. 1941-42

14/137 E.Lockwood Geelong “B” Clarendon 1899-00

13/37 R.Brown Geelong West Ford Motor Co. 1940-41

13/48 J.Hirst Excelsior Mill Federal Mill 1939-40

Bill Eason captured 10 or more wickets in a match an astonishing 20 times, the Geelong Footballer, being the first to play 200 games for the Cats in 1914 is visited in this category of 10 or more wickets in a match the most times only visited in recent times by Adrian Kelly of St. Josephs who performed the deed on 3 occasions between 1971-80.

The most recent bowler to take 12 wickets or more in a match was Glen Strobolak with 13/90 for Torquay against St.Peters in 2005-06.

E.Lockwood bowled “underarms” the style of bowling banned by the GCA before WW1, the Australian Cricket authorities banning such decades later re the controversy against New Zealand.

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The Geelong Country Week team “ hit the road running” with a massive score of 354 against South-West (never played before against Geelong, South-West being the Camperdown-Mortlake area). As such Geelong’s total team score on day one was its highest since 1931 of 5/303 when the side pounded 5/303 against Dunmunkle when Vaughn Simpson top scored with 137, being the same score ironically that Chris Bambury registered against South-West in the first match this week.

The highest score ever is Ken Brown’s 202no in 1938 against Seymour, Geelong’s imposing 2/420 against Seymour a monumental challenge in any grade of cricket !!!.

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Congratulations to Geelong West bowler in Josh Vrbovski in making his first half-ton with an unbeaten 53 against finals aspirants in St.Josephs, his score significant in his sides all out for 122 his side reeling at 8/53 before he came “the man”.

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Lara posted its highest score of its season with 269 against South Barwon, England recruit Chris Youdon hitting his highest score of the season with 74..

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 16 14th. February 2014

On this day of 14th. February no fewer than 12 bowlers have taken a with their first ball in .. The first was A. Conningham who dismissed A.C.. Maclaren off England at the MCG in 1894-95 but the most recent was India’s N.M.Kulkarni who disposed of M.S.Atapattu off Sri Lanka at Colombo in 1997-98.

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ST.Josephs Cricket Club is celebrating its 50th year in GCA 1st.X1 competition since joining the senior competition in 1964-65..

Most players and supporters will be well aware of its 50th. year function on Saturday 22nd. Feb at the Geelong Football Club Premiership Room , commencing at 7.15pm. If not, contact Ken Gannon at 0419501650.

For the lads who maybe cannot attend due to other commitments, for the readers of this column the historic eleven players to play in the opening round in all four grades in 1964-65 were…

1 – 1st.X1

N. Mullen, T.Ward, V.Grace, J.Richards, P.Harrison, C.Johnson, P.Kelly, K.Rhodes, A.Collins, A,. Mazur S.Fitzgerald.

2. - 2ndX1

C.Morgan, J.Scarlett, R.Mathieson, K.Perry, G.Collis, S.Pokorny, R.Zampatti, K. White, P. McQuire, R.Pye, J.Pye & R.Burns.

3.-3rd.X1

J. Law, K.O’Dowd, R.Patterson, R.Janeczlo, P. McHenry, T.Weston, P.Brown, P. Zanoni, D.Kinder, B.PhelanJ.Gdak.

4 -4th.X1

H. Munday, S.Elliot, N.Teague, R.Quelch, D.Breheny, P.Thornycroft, R.Salmetti, H.Grace, J. Evans, P.Preston & J.Finn However due to rain, turf cricket was washed out so only 3rds & 4ths played to represent the new club in its initial match in GCA competition, hence a few changes to teams that were initially selected in various teams but actually played in different sides over that rain-effected first round.

One of my teammates was John Scarlett in our 3rds.

All players were current schoolboys or ex-students basically but the most famous off course in years to come was John Scarlett. An attacking full- back like his son Mathew, John played 212 games of AFL footy but his GCA 1st.X1 record not too bad either. A thunderous opening bowler, he collected 57 GCA 1st.X1 wickets at 19.5 in the 1960’s with a best of 5/40 in maiden season 1964-65 against the powerful Geelong West side one of his prize victims being the great Jack Sing, by Barry McFarlane for 48 when John also posted his best 3 scores in his career of 35, 37 & another 30 in his maiden season.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXMelbourne’s massive runs score of 7/354 against Geelong was a monumental target, my always helpful friend and Cricket Victoria’s “Premier Cricket Officer”being Peter Binns confirming Melbourne’s score being the highest team score this season followed by CamMag’s 3/345 and Fitzroy Doncasters 9/342.

Geelong responded with a gallant 266 due to Aaron Finch’s brutal 111. and it was Finchy’s 13th. GCC 1st.X1 hundred, Clinton the “man to catch” with 21 tons.

Geelong’s biggest run chase to win was in season 2008-09 against Essendon’s 8/402, Finch leading the way with 120 to win the game ,Geelong 4/403 (Finch 120, S.Dean 134, J.Davies 50, C.Peake 49no, L.Buchanan 34).

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Back to local level, upsets –plenty with league leaders North Geelong (6/316) crushing second placed St. Josephs (150), Lara (102) upsetting the strong Geelong West batting line-up with a below par score of 71, Murgheboluc (313) too good for Highton’s 205 and Geelong City (171) gallant against a young and up and coming Newtown’s 92.

Lara’s Luke Wilson was the “man of the day” with a brilliant 6/25 against Geelong West following his career best of 7/61 in 2011-12 against Leopold but evergreen Andrew Fergusson continues to pound out the runs , his 124 being his 8th. career ton after making his GCA debut in 1998- 99 for St. Peters against Highton, his 75 & 6/10 in game number two stamping him as a future star of the game. With 182 on debut later at North Geelong in 2006-07 followed by consecutive scores of 95, 65, 61 & 59 and now with 514 runs this season @ 51.4 he is not likely to move from Magpie land for some time.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 16

7th. February 2014

Geelong’s dramatic tie against Carlton last round was the fourth occasion the Club’s 1st.X1 has featured in a tied match but it was the first instance of both sides losing all 10 first innings wickets within those 4 ties. It was also the second time the tied match was against Carlton and both matches were played at Geelong Cricket Ground. In a low scoring encounter, Jake Reed was the stand-out star with 7/39 and 47 and becomes the first GCC 1st.X1 all-rounder to compile 40 in an innings and take 7 wickets or more in an innings in the same match.

Geelong’s other 3 tied matches were against Carlton in 1997-98 with 8/220 v 9/220 (B.Oliver 59 & 4/58), Frankston Peninsula in 2006-07 with 6/179 (J.Davies 100) and Northcote in 2010-11 with 3/97 apiece L.Buchanan (38) and Hayden Butterworth (35no) registering the bulk of the runs.

There have been 78 tied matches in VCA/Premier Cricket since records were kept from 1906-07 within the 11,100 matches played, representing a tie every 142 matches whilst Geelong’s ratio is 4 ties in 365 matches representing a tie every 91 matches.

Fitzroy and St.Kilda have featured in the most number of ties with 12 each followed by North Melbourne with 10.

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This column is not “infallible” and is first to admit the odd mistake within the thousands of records I have researched into GCA 1st.X1 cricket and published in the Annual GCA Almanac since 1896, hence an “apology” to Andrew Baars for not naming him East-Belmont’s record-holder for most runs in a home-and-away season in last weeks column, it being 597 runs @ 59.7 in season 2008-09 (and not Michael Dunn with 548 runs @ 60.9 in 1995-96). I encourage clubs to read the Annual Almanac and if anyone believes an error or omission has occurred I always ask such readers to inform me as I too wish to get the records “100%” correct but such feedback sadly rarely occurs.

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Murgheboluc’s “cinderella” start to the season with 3 wins from its first 4 games is returning with a comprehensive victory over Newtown & Chilwell with 296 against 144 the previous roundbut last Saturday chalked up its season’s best with 313 against Highton, led by Mike Grozdanovski’s brilliant 122 (which included 9 sixes) his brothers Dan and Jason also having played in the “ones” this season, their father Peter captain-coached the club for 5 seasons and still plays in the MCC 3rds. Last Saturday was Mike’s first senior century and it was the first 1st.X1 century on King Lloyd Reserve since the turf was laid, in both GCA 2 & GCA 1 in now the fourth season of the new turf wicket. Toss in Murge’s astonishing win over overwhelming favourites East-Belmont in the T20 competition, the trophy cabinet proudly boasts its first piece of silverware.

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With the match-of-the-round being first placed North Geelong and second placed St. Josephs with The Saints last featuring in a grand final 10 years ago and “praying” for a 1st.X1 flag in its 50th. season, its last senior pennant in 1988-89, its hopes of a win were skittled by Magpie teenager Tom Mathieson in this initial season of 1st.X1 cricket with a blistering 5/43 to cut a swathe thru St.Josephs, all out for 150 with his side sitting comfortably at 1/80 overnight. With Mathieson, the Geelong Junior Cricketer of the Year and “Just” winner in 2010-11, (and playing just a single game last season – in the 5ths) his 15 wickets @ 21.7 (plus four T20 wickets @ 17.0) suggests he is one of the “fiends of the season”.

However in the same match, star all-rounder David Morgan made a quiet re-entry after injury for the first game of the season for St.Josephs, his 16 runs lifting him past 2,000 career runs at the solid average of 34.6 to compliment his 121 wickets at 21.4 and the now fully-fit ex GCCplayer will be a healthy bonus for The Saints come finals time.

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 13 31st.January 2014

Congratulations to Newtown & Chilwell star bat in Ben Neville who will play his 100th GCA 1st.X1 match tihis Saturday. Having made his debut on 8/11/1997 against North Geelong, he has accumulated 2845 runs @ 37.4 including 5 centuriies with a best of 154 no against North Geelong in 2000-01.

A N&C GCA 1stX1 dual player member in 1991-00 & the following season, not many GCAX1 players had played in two senior flags at such a tender age,.

East-Belmomts Sam Scannell is enjoying an excellent season back from GCC but his “bogey-number” is 77no this season having achieved that figure twice with that number against St.Josephs in round 5 again against last week against Lata..

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX However a significant record was broken last Saturday when North Geelong’s star recruit in Jacob Thorne plounded another quality innings of 73no, his scores this season being 60, 58, 89no, 34,,117no, 0, 55, 124, 100no, 11 & 73no. to lift his seasons’s career aggregrate to 721 runs @ a Bradman average of 103.

He thus surpasses the previous best at North Geelong in a home-and-way season of 645 runs @ 71,7 by North Legend, Alf Clark with 645 runs @ 71.7 I season 2007-08.

With North still playing home-and-away matches plus finals he is well poised to break Graeme Beaumonts 774 runs in a GCA home-and-way season at North and maybe the great Great Jack Sing’s all-time record of 944 runs @ 118.0 in a full season (including finals) in 1948-49 (when I was 3 weeks old – gulp),

The most runs in a home-and-away-season by current GCA Division 1st.Clubs are as follows..

CLUB PLAYER RUNS AVE SEASON

East-Belmont M.Dunn 548 60.9 1995-96 Glg. City H.Heard 678 113.0 1948-49 Glg.West J.Sing 901 150.2 1948-49 Grovedale G.Kelson 628 57.1 2002-03 Highton R.Merry 459 45.9 2000-01 Lara M.Brown 663 55.3 1999-00 Leopold R.Kiddle 641 58.3 2008-09 Murgheboluc G.Talarico 408 37.1 2013- N & C M.Bowtell 735 73.5 1979-80 North Glg J.Thorne 721 103.0 2013-14 South Barwon C.Peake 690 98.6 2012-13 St.Josephs G.Foss 650 50.0 1987-88

For the record, the top 10 runmakers ever in GCA 1stX1 cricket in a home and away season are…

CLUB PLAYER RUNS AVE Glg.West J.Sing 901 150.2 (48-49) Glg.Footballers L.Metherell 767 85.2 (35-36) Chanel College M.Bowtell 750 75.0 )67-68) Chanel College M.Bowtell 735 73.5 (79-80) North Geelong J.Thorne 721 103.0 (13-14) Glg. West K.Brown 712 118.7 (37-38) South Barwon C.Peake 690 98.6 (12-13) Glg.West J.Sing 688 172.0 (49-50) High School-East H.Heard 678 113.0 (48-49) GWC&FC J.Sing 670 111.7 (51-42)

With the Test Series all over, the season was not complete without our “God-Father” in cricket not calling a single ball , being Richie Benaud.

For the record, he told me a few years ago at a private function, his “All-Time Best X1” was

Jack Hobbs (E)

Sunil Gavaskar (I)

Don Bradman (A)

Sachin Tundukar (I)

Viv Richrads (WI)

Imran Khan (P)

Garry Sobers ((WI)

Adam Gilchrist (A)

Shane Warne (A)

Sydney Barnes (E)

Denniss Lilllee (A).

Not a bad side Richie but we Geelong people “lament” Jack Hobbs three ventures to Corio Oval in Geelong in 1912, 1921 & 1929 when the man with 197 first-class hundreds scored 19, 138 & 50 against “we locals”.

O’DOWD DECLARES

ARTICLE NO 14

24th.January, 2014

Jake Reed continues to dominate Premier Cricket, his 10 wickets in a match last round with 6/37 & 4/33 against Greenvale Kangaroos thus being only the 3rd. GCC 1st.X1 bowler to achieve a 10 wicket haul in a match and joins Trent Walerys (11/90) against St.Kilda in 2007-08 and Jeremy Hart (10/77) against Hawthorn- Monash University in 2011-12.

Reed currently sits most comfortably in position no 4 in the Premier Cricket stats with 31 wickets at 13.8, Prahran’s James Miller on top of the tree with 37 wickets at 12.7.

For the record, the most wickets in a match is held by Essendon’s N.C. Blundell with 17/117 against Hawthorn-East Melbourne in 1946-47 and within the “top 10” is Geelong’s Arthur Liddicut with 14/19 for Fitzroy against Prahran in 1929-30 plus a further 14/67 for Fitzroy against Hawthorn- East-Melbourne in 1931-32.

Arthur Liddicut played 39 GCA 1st.X1 matches between 1906-1912 for Clarendon, with 1541 runs @ 35.0 with a best of 135no against Geelong in 1908-09 He was selected in an Australian team during that period and toured New Zealand but did not play a Test match.

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The Collins Dictionary describes the word “dynasty” as “a family succession”. In GCA cricket, the “Russells” were a famous cricketing family with 5 brothers plus their dad playing at the top level. However the Caulfield brothers at East-Belmont come a “close second”. It was with great sadness that this week Kevin “Legs: Caulfield passed away suddenly with a heart attack but the huge numbers at his funeral justified the respect the cricket community respected “Legs”. I played many seasons with him as his approach was a “Mr. Casual”

Legs never played a GCA 1st.X1 match, his approach being “enjoy the game and just smash it” His stats were modest but included an 8/61 one day in the lower grades.

His other 4 brothers in John, Brian (spider), Dennis (crowie) and Peter (Jack) are the framework of the East-Belmont CC.

Eldest brother John was famous with 55 on debut for EB 1st.X1 in 1967-68 against North Shore- Norlane whilst Peter was the cream of the family with 3711 runs and 443 wickets, taming the West Indies in 1979 with top-scoring with 68 as a teenager, facing the might of the Test team of Collis King, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and Malcolm Marshall.

Vale Legs, remember our games together in the 3rds mate.

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I realise some of the below are on the internet and some “recycled” before but for those who have not seen them… here we go..

Q. What is the height of optimism ?

A. A Pom putting on sunscreem.

Q.What is the difference between an English batsman and a Formula car ?

A. Nothing. If you blink you will miss them both.

Q. What do English batsmen and drug addicts have in common ?

A.

Both spend most of their time wondering where their next score will come from.

Q. What does an English batsman who is playing in the Ashes have in common with Michael Jackson ?

A. They both wore gloves for no apparent reason.

Q. What is the difference between Cinderella and the Pommies ?

A. Cinderella knew when to leave the ball.

Q Whats the difference between the Pommies and a funeral director ?

A. A funeral director isn’t going to lose the Ashes.

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A few things “slipped by the radar:’ Geelong legend, David Breheny once was captain-coach of Altona and one of his players quietly collected 3/52 for the Prime-Ministers X1 this week in J.Muirhead, his scalps including Balance, Morgan and Bopara.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 13 17th.January, 2014

OK Lads. Trivia Time. Seen so much on National TV so here we go locally…

Who was the last and only ever Test Cricketer to make a ton on Newtown & Chilwell’s famous Stinton Oval ?

He is the only Test bat to make a three figure at that ground. You may say Lindsay Hassett, Sheahan or Redders but NO NO NO !!!..

It happened in season 1992-93 when Newtown hosted Carlton in the Puma Cup.

In those days, the reigning premier from the previous season in all States played in a knock-out format.

In that season it was Newtown & Chilwell CC versus VCA side Carlton.

The “Man-of-The-Match” enjoyed not the bat but also with the mouth, “sledging” before it has now sadly become normal”. He sledged a couple of N&C fieldsmen saying words like “he carnt run or throw so this we can double up” I know who he said in my records but not important in this article.

He made 104 out of Carlton’s modest 218, Newtown responding with a gallant 161.

N & C stars were Brett Goggin (50), and Bruce Nunn (35), Carlton as I said “rolled” for 218, Tony Jefferies (3/21) the star but who was the Test bat who continued his “sledging” even into the N&C clubrooms after the match …. ???

Our National coach in !!!

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With the Australian Open looming, although this column is not a tennis person, I enjoy world class sports matches to watch on tv.

I in particular like Roger Federer. He seems a modest champion despite his truck-loads of money he has made and good luck to him.

My “attachment” to him is he lists cricket as one of his “offcourt pastimes”. In 2005 he primed himself for the Wimbeldon Final against Andy Roddick by watching tv coverage of a West5 game between Australia

England at Lords,

Roger met Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and others.

He still talks about it meeting such famous players minutes before such momentous matches on centre-court. We wish him well next week in the Australian Open.

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Back to our local scene.

North Geelong’s Jake Thorne,, recruited from Geelong Cricket Club, continues to star at his newly adopted club in North Geelong. Under coach Sam Hall he is dominating with scores to date of 60 on debut, 58, 89no, 34, 117no (a gulp duck against South Barwon courtesy of Joel Davies), 55, 124 and 100no last match against Highton. It being his 3rd. century of the season, he is only one of three batsmen to compile 3 tons in a season at North Geelong, the last in 1956-57 when “GCA TEAM OF THE CENTURY WICKETKEEPER” Gordon McKay did so, the only other being Jack Walker in 1933-34.

Only 39 batsmen have compiled 3 or more centuries in a season, the “top-of-the-tree” being Geelong Footballer, Len Metherell with 5 tons in 1939-40.

GCC’s Eammon Vines performed the deed last season with 3 hundreds for South Barwon.

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REDPATH SOCIETY

An outstanding night greets to all and sundry re the next “Redpath Society” Evening.

Test great spinner Ashley Mallett is the guest speaker and both him and “Redders” will wear their “Baggy Green Caps” for photos on the night, “one-on-one” free of charge to patrons on the night.

The date is Tuesday 21st. January at GCC. Only about $50 for a two course meal and a few ales and wines. A great night is assured but hurry up as limits to the unique evening apply.

Any member of the public is most welcome. If you are a cricket person, please come. Females are also most welcome and the night normally ends at around 10pm so not a late night.

Contact David Barnes re tickets, 52233023 or e-mail [email protected]

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 12

th 10 . January, 2014

Best Wishes to my readers of this humble Column as we enter 2014.

Thank you to one-and-all for your feedback from around the world via Facebook but would appreciate a few more comments as to actually witness the parts of the globe that my “waffle’s ” reach. I Hope all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May you all make many runs and take heaps of wickets in the climatic last half of the Season !. But enjoy the greatest game of all. A duck last saturday could be followed by a ton ! Likewise a 2/50 odd would be wiped away with 7/29.

Does not matter, just enjoy our fabulous game.

Having just returned from the WACA to cheer The Lads on to regain the Ashes it was an experience I will always cherish. Hot, boy it was hot but the WACA officials “did their best” with free icy-poles, sun cream, hats, iced water and lads with “fire-type” buckets on their back spraying the crowd with iced water. There was no shade at all.

By chance I was interviewed on Day 5 for Perth Channel 7 News re the conditions at the WACA and I was graceful having never been there before but enjoyed the experience with my son Julian, my brother Denis and 3 other lads, Frosty, Grant and Curtis. Curtis had a strong voice and we were near the and he kept repreating “bring on the weapon” ie Nathon Lyons. Lyons responded with the comment to us with a happy hand-up”. It aroused momentum and by Day five “The Weapon “ was a spread chant in the crowd and he collected his first ever 5 wicket haul in a Test innings !

The WACA is indeed “tiered” and the fact that the WA Government has withdrawn the $500 million upgrade I think condems the WACA as not a functional Test Ground in future after made his Test hundred on debut in 1971 at the WACA.

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Anyway, back to home, Thomson is happily perched on top of the GCA Division Two ladder, thanks to its captain- coach, Grant Dew. Leading from the front he has compiled 219 runs this season @ 31.3.

A busy man commanding the GCA as its President in now his 5th. season, being one of the oldest Cricket Associations in Australia, Grant started his GCA Division One career in 1988 at Thomson and has now “returned to the fold” .

A very busy man in Commence as an Accountant in a well established firm in Geelong.

Having started his GCA 1st.XI career at Thomson in 1988 as I said ,and having played at Geelong City, Cement, Manifold Heights and East-Belmont his GCA 1st.X1 record in 164 matches is outstanding with 3495 runs @ 25.7. He sits on 77th.place on the all-time runs list of the almost 5,000 players to play GCA 1st.X1 cricket. His record at Manifold Heights GCA 1stX1 career is unsurpassed with most runs in a season (445 @ 49.4 in 2003-04), most centuries (4) and highest score of 153no against East-Belmont in 1998-99)

Thomson played 23 seasons of GCA 1st.X1 cricket on three occasions between 1971-72 and 2011-11, its ultimate prize being in 1986-87 when it won the GCA 1st.X1 flag, its “favourite son “in Gary Anderton taking an astonishing 5/4 in the grand-final against Grovedale.

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Now with Country Week not too far away, “O’Dowd Declares” has selected “my side to date in 2013-14 based on statistics and balance”. If such a side was available, we would not be beaten ! Great players like Glen Talarico and Trent Walerys if improve their 2013-14 stats post Xmas would make this side ‘ONE Of the Best” for many years. From the below team, players not in the Country Week Squad are Oliver, Fanning, Patton, Nichols & Freijah

PLAYER CLUB RUNS AVE WKTS AVE

J.Thorne North Glg 537 89.5 18 17.6 R.Oliver Glg City 487 60.9 M.Linekar East-Bel 383 54.7 D.Fanning St.Josephs 346 43.3 7 16.3 S.Scannell East-Bel 342 68.4 17 19.1 J.Smith Highton 310 38.8 B.Patton Grovedale 326 54.3 M.Hanley East-Bel 257 42.8 K.Agg Glg. City 24 12.8 B.Nichols Murge 20 14.1 M.Freijah Highton 18 13 D.Kirk (12th Leopold 304 38.0 bat) J.Maher N & C 17 20.9 (12th bowl)

Geelong Crcicet Club sits in a strong position at 6th. on the Premier Cricket ladder at the Christmas break. Simon Hill leads the runmakers with 793 runs for Camberwell Magpies but our “Rising Star” in Hayden Butterworth has again excelled with 654 runs to date, James Crositwaite (360 runs) and Khalid Sawas (324 runs) our top 3 bats. With the ball, Prahran’s James Miller has enjoyed an exceptional season with 32 wickets buy GCC’s Jake Reed with 21 scalps, Justin McPhee (17) and evergreen Luke Muller (16) are quietly chipping away to hopefully see GCC in finals contention this season.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 10

th 6 . December, 2013

Geelong’s brilliant run chase last weekend against Casey-South-Melbourne’s imposing 299 and overtaken with 4/303 was initiated by gallant centuries by James Crosthwaite (146) and Eamonn Vines (122no), their second wicket partnership of 244 a GCC 1st. X1 club record overtaking 207 set by Sean Dean (134) and Aaron Finch (120) of 207 against Essendon in 2008-09. It was Vines maiden GCC ton, Crosthwaite having played previously with Richmond in 2004-05 and Camberwell Magpies in 2011-12 before arriving at Catland last season. With one century of 126 for Camberwell Magpies his previous best was 87 for Geelong last season against – guess who – Camberwell Magpies !

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Beware of ‘The Saint’, ie St.Josephs which is celebrating its 50th. year in District Cricket. After two opening match losses including Murgheboluc , the side has bounced back with four wins on the trot. A ‘co-coach’ in LeighKentish walked into the club this season and recorded a quack on debut but the Swan Hill recruit dominated last saturday with 110 to steer his side to 213 against Lara’s 9/203. In his six innings his scores include 39, 54, 50 and now 110 !

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Leopold celebrated its 650 th. match since entering GCA 1st.X1 in 1955-56 and won last week against Geelong City. It was also Ben O’Brien’s 50th. match whereby he top scored with52, his 5 season career to date a great one with 1,714 runs @ 33.6. Recruited from Carlton in 2009-10, he pounded 3 centuries last season for Leopold to join club greats Darren and Rod Kiddle to compile 3 centuries in a season. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

How times flies.

50 years ago today, one of the most sensational events occurred in World Test Cricket History when Ian Meckiff was ‘called’ for throwing in the 1st.Test for Australia against South Africa at Brisbane.

From a casual saunter of 16 paces and with a left arm disconcertingly bent, Meckiff bowled at great speed and amid unending controversy for 8 first-class seasons, his Test career was ruined when umpire Colin Egar called him for throwing four times in his first over. Supporters found the end sickening. Egar had umpired before when Meckiff had bowled and never ‘called him’ He bowled just the one over, captain Richie Benaud taking him off immediately. Benaud was challenged later as to why he did not bowl him from the other end to seek that umpires verdict in Lou Rowan. Benaud has never responded publicly.

It was ‘alleged’ England sought his removal from the game after he collected 6/38 in the second Test at the MCG in 1958-59, his prize scalps including Pom Greats, , Colin Cowdrey and Tom Graveney.

Meckiff immediately retired from all levels of cricket.

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 9

29th.NOVEMBER, 2013

One of the most talented batsman who has received little publicity over the years is currently playing his 100th. GCA 1st. X1 match against South Barwon, that “mystery man” being North Geelong’s Andrew Fergusson. Making his senior debut in January 1999 for St. Peters against Highton he had an immediate impact with a still career-best 6/10 and the following season he clouted 100no against St.Josephs, that century being St. Peters first ton with St. Peter’s only other centurian over the club’s 8 season stint in GCA Division One cricket being Andrew Redpath with 105no, also against St. Josephs in 2003-04.

He has played 12 seasons of 1st.X1 cricket, three at both St. Peters & Lara but is settled at North Geelong and is enjoying his sixth season at the Magpies, his career runs of 3,676 at the commanding average of 40.2 and thus sits in 11th position of batsmen to compile over 3,000 runs and average over 30. He had an immediate impact at Osborne Park with his career best 182 against Leopold in 2006-07 and compiled also a career best season’s 634 runs that season at 57.6 in North’s last premiership season.

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Congratulations to Geelong’s new Mayor, Mr. Darryn Lyons, being the City’s 95th. mayor since 1849 but in particular, the 3rd. mayor to play GCA cricket since GCA foundation in 1896. A “modest” cricketer currently captain of Geelong City 4ths, the other 2 GCA mayors both played at 1st. X1 level, being, T.E.Bostock for Non-Descripts and Corio between 1896-1906 and Howard Hitchcock for Clarendon in 1899-00. Two other mayors held the position of GCA President, being Joe Solomon (1928-29 to 1932-33) and O.C.Hearne for 8 varying periods between 1933 and 1946.

So “come on Darryn and lift your game” – currently sitting 148th. in 4th.X1 cricket with 16 runs in six games this season !

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With sledging dominating the sports pages this week, hard-nosed Australian coach Darren Lehmann has never received so much publicity defending skipper Michael Clarke and his team since an “oddity” which occurred 10 years ago to the day and that was over a simple dim sim ! On that day a 20 year old piece of cheese on toast containing an image resembling the Virgin Mary sold for $36,000 but a dim sim was auctioned online and went for $254. According to the seller who advertised his unique ‘cricketing item’ on the eBay website as “this unexplained deep-fried phenomenon bore an almost eerie likeness to Darren “Boof” Lehmann”. True story but I would prefer to keep that $254 in my pocket !

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O’DOWD DECLARES

ARTICLE NO 8

22ND. NOVEMBER, 2013

Geelong is well poised for possible outright points tomorrow against Richmond having dismissed the Tigers for its lowest score ever against the Cats of 87 when play resumes with Geelong a healthy 3/203. However Richmond’s score could have been far worse as opener Shane Koop “carried his bat” with a gallant 47. In Geelong’s 356 1st.X1 games to date no Cat has ever “carried his bat”, in fact over the past 25 years only 9 batsmen have achieved the feat in the entire Premier Cricket / VCA 1st.X1 competition, the most celebrated being former Test bat, Mathew Elliott’s unbeaten 153 for Collingwood in the final against Melbourne in 1992-93.

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Sam Scannell’s brilliant double of 77no & 6/52 was a lone hand last round for East-Belmont but St. Josephs in its 50th. season took the points to record it 3rd. win on the trot. Scannell thus became just the third Lion to achieve the double of a 70 plus 6 or more wickets in an innings in the same match, joining Geoff Mathews with 72 & 7/24 against Newtown & Chilwell in 1969-70 and more recently Andrew Baars with 84 & 6/49 against Grovedale in 2006-07.

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Lara workhorse Danny Hughes added yet another significent statistic to his glittering career, his 2/38 against North Geelong lifting him past 400 career wickets. He has thus played a record 207 games at Lara, has compiled a record 5,383 runs and a record 401 wickets, having played for the one club in his entire career. His 4,000 runs or more and 400 wickets or more have only been achieved by 7 players ever since 1896, Darren Kiddle heading the list with 6,116 runs and 508 wickets.

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Last Saturday marked a special occasion as the Guild/St.Mary’s CC as the social club rooms were officially named “The Social Club Rooms” at Friers Reserve. A member of Guild since he was 8 years old, he has carried out every task that could possibly be undertaken over the next 60 years, from President, groundsman to toilet cleaner. Also a great contributor to the Geelong & District CA where he was the President from 1985 to 1990 , he was a key person when St.Mary’s CC folded and the players were welcomed to Guild, to be then known as Guild Saints CC. Retiring as a player in the late 1980’s he has continued to be a generous contributor off the field with both his time and financial support.

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O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 7

th 15 . NOVEMBER, 2013

The opening day’s play in round 6 featured outstanding career-bests by a quartet of GCA 1st.X1 cricketers in Newtown & Chilwell’s Jack Wood, Highton’s Jacob Smith, East-Belmont’s Sam Scannell and Josh Vrobovski from Geelong West.

For Jack Wood, the magical “three figures” finally was recorded on his CV with a brilliant and unbeaten 136 against Grovedale, his maiden century after twice reaching the “nervous nineties” last season with 91no & 98. A player with great promise he is going from “strength to strength”, his first season at Newtown in 2010-11 yielding 58 runs at 14.5, 207 runs in season no two at 20.7, 244 runs last season at a healthy 40.7 and this season he has already accumulated 177 runs (after missing round one) at the continually rising average of 59.0.

Highton wicketkeeper-batsman, Jacob Smith also held his bat aloft with his maiden century, his 106 opening the innings the catalyst behind his side’s season best 219 against the quality attack of South Barwon. With a previous best of 84 last season, he has had 4 “starts” this season with 24, 21, 25 & another 25 before his epic innings last saturday and with 201 runs this season @ 40.2 he again heads “The Heat’s” aggregate runs after doing likewise last season with 378 runs @ 31.5.

St. Josephs, which has had its troubles recording substantial scores over the last 3 seasons, clouted the days highest score of 273 against East-Belmont (the saints on a roll with match-winning totals of 5/283 & 9/240 in the previous two rounds), but St.Josephs score could have conceivably been much higher if Sam Scannell had not taken his career best 6/52 in his 87th match and thus eclipsing his previous best of 5/39 in 2010-11, the all-rounder returning to Winter Reserve this season after two years at Geelong CC.

Josh Vrbovski celebrated his 100th game in round one and again was in the “limelight” last saturday with a career best of 6/29 against Geelong City, his 5 wicket plus haul greatly surpassing his previous best of 4/20 way back in 2005-06 and having taken 3 or 4 wickets in an innings on 11 previous occasions.

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Murgheboluc’s opening bowler Ben Nichols has taken the GCA 1st.X1 competition by storm with 10 wickets at the miserly average of 13.6 and last saturday with his side situated at a perilous 9/89, came in last and smashed 55 to in tandem with Matt Tarbett (7no) add 67 for the last wicket. As gallant as the stand was the all-time record however still stands at 115 when in 1976-77, Murray Allen (80) & Laurie DeGoldi (32no) frustrated the St.Josephs attack for Newtown & Chilwell.

Curiously, Nichols with 712 Murge club wickets over 24 years played one VCA 1st. X1 match for Geelong in 1996- 97 in a bizarre and freakish set of circumstances when the side was forced to make 7 changes to its on-field side from week one to week two of round eleven with Bakker, Lowery and Peake selected for Sheffield Shield duties, Anderson, Meagher and Oliver included in the Victorian U19 squad and Borovec chosen in the U19 National Championships thus allowing Ben Nichols, Justin Miller and Barry Tsitas to make their VCA 1st. X1 debuts. For Nichols it was his one and only 1st.X1 match, not required to bat but capturing 1/38 off 15 lively overs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thank you to the readers of this column with their support via Facebook. However to the” gentleman” who said “articles re Division 2 & 3 would be appreciated as the GCA consists of more than just Division One”, may I respectively suggest that my research into Division One has taken me 48 years of my life to research and publish so I have had no spare time to research “lower grades” of cricket in Geelong as in Division 2 & 3 and numerous other GCA sections over the 117 year GCA history. Also, 47 clubs have played GCA 1st.X1(Division One) since 1896 of which 96% of my records have been compiled by painstakingly visiting the Geelong Historical Records Centre over decades scanning 1000’s of Geelong Advertiser Monday editions and recording Division One match reports, season by season, match by match, player by player as only two or three Division One clubs over the years have seen fit to keep their own records. Yes other Divisions records would be great so maybe this “gentleman” rather than criticize could not “sit on his hands” and make a lifelong contribution himself into minor Divisions.

Having said that, if club’s experience significant curiosities on the field, all Divisions, all grades, they are most welcome to contact me at [email protected] .

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Cricket as lovers of the game well know can be “harsh” at times. Aaron Finch’s first-ball pair of ducks for Victoria against New South Wales at the MCG clean bowled in both innings last week has been well documented and the long walk back to the pavilion continued this week with just 4 for an Australian Invitation X1 against England at the SCG. Having established himself as an International Opener in Limited Overs cricket, failures in the four day format are continuing.

Since his Geelong Cricket Club 1st.X1 debut in 2002-03 with a modest 13, he has progressed thru the ranks for Australia, Auckland, Australia A, Australia Under 19s, Delhi Daredevils, Melbourne Renegades, Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, Victoria, Victoria Under 15s, Victoria Under 17s and Victoria Under 19’s.

Not a bad record to date for the boy from Colac West CC who celebrates his 27th. birthday this sunday.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 6

8th.NOVEMBER 2013

St.Josephs was again led by star all-rounder, Daniel Fanning opening the innings with a gutsy 80 last saturday against Leopold following his 73 the previous round, the opening partnerships in the previous two rounds reaping 132 & 138 in tandem with Ravi Ravee (Ravee’s 53 & 59) and the catalyst’s for The Saints two victories in the last two rounds in the Clubs 50th.year.

The opening stands brought back memories of the flamboyant years of current Club President Ken Gannon and David Breheny who both attacked the innings with ferocity in the 1970’s & 1980’s

However Jake O’Donoghue blitzed Leopold with his “offies” with a career best and stunning 5/10 off just 6.3 overs, his major scalps being Leopold star guns Ben O’Brien & David Kirk, O’Donoghues previous best over 7 seasons being 3/11.

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North Geelong continued its dominance being undefeated and heading the ladder with a comfortable win over East-Belmont, 5/236 to 222. The Magpies are yet to lose all wickets in a match, Geelong Cricket Club recruit, Jake Thorne in superb form with 241 runs at a brilliant average of 80.3 plus 6 wickets including 3/40 against East last Saturday.

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Other GCA “bits & pieces” –

Andrew Korth left his Geelong West Club this season for more fertile lands at Grovedale and top scored last Saturday for his newly adopted club with a match winning 49 in Grovedale Club Legend Garry Kelson’s 200th match, the brilliant bat for 3.

Highton, at one stage sitting comfortable at 1/131 was crunched for 163, Jordon Stone’s 4/25 adding to just his 3 previous career wickets in this his second season but Ex-Ballarat bat Daniel Wright took control of the match with an unbeaten 86 to guide Lara to victory with 1/165.

The Murgheboluc fairly-tale contined with its third win last weekend in four matches, its scalp this time in Geelong City , 2/101 to 98. Its three victims to date in St.Josephs, Geelong West and Geelong City with a combined 1922 games since 1928-29 defining the odds of the newest GCA 1st.X1 Club.

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The transition between the Geelong Cricket Association (one of the oldest cricket associations in Australia) to the” frenzy” of Premier Cricket is daunting with GCC players experiencing matches in Melbourne on Saturdays and Sundays starting on the bus trip at 8am and arriving back home 12 hours later let alone the training 3 or 4 days a week.

It’s a tough road but required to make the “next step” to higher levels.

The “tough road” is being experienced by Eamonn Vines at present. Having transferred from GCA Club South Barwon this season he has had a battle with scores in Premier Cricket of 7, 27, 23 & 0 last week after being recalled the previous round with 31 from the seconds.

He is a quality bat and the relationship between GCA & GCC to encourage future stars at times could be premature as Eamonn had a fantastic season last season in GCA 1st.X1 for South Barwon with 630 runs at 48.7 but his previous two seasons at South Barwon yielded 386 runs at 21.4.

He will bounce back.

But it’s a team game and Geelong’s superb score of 7/291 was not only strengthened by English County side Lancashire’s import Khalid Sawas’ run out 70 but also Michael Condy’s 59, being his highest score well eclipsing his previous best in premier Cricket Records of 27.

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On saturday the Caulfield Dynasty continues with yet another “Caulfield” adding his name to both the GCA record books and at East-Belmont CC.

Mathew will play his 100th. GCA 1st.X1 match against St.Josephs at Russell Zamaptti Oval.

A strong bowler off “just a few paces” his 174 wickets have been collected at a trim 16.5 a piece, a twice premiership player for East since his GCA 1st.X1 debut in 1998-99 against Leopold. Consistent rather than “magnificent” his rapidly accumulated wickets have been achieved with a best of 6/18 having passed 5 wickets in an innings on just 6 occasions but again a consistent 3 wickets in an innings on an above average 27 times.

The “Caulfield” name is synonymous at East-Belmont on equal status as the “McMahon” name.

Mathew’s father Peter and his uncle’s in Brian , Dennis & John all played 1st.X1 cricket at East, Peter the most celebrated with 248 matches with 443 wickets and “taming the West-Indies” on this day in 1979 at the Western Oval with a brutal 68 for Geelong & Districts against the then world’s best bowlers in Andy Roberts, Collis Croft & Malcolm Marshall, young Peter never before having passed 30 in an innings in his life. Proud eldest brother John also holds a record in GCA 1st.X1 records with 55 on debut in 1967-68 for East-Belmont against North Shore-Norlane.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 5

ST 1 .NOVEMBER 2013

Weather permitting, saturdays’s Grovedale clash against Geelong West at Burdoo Reserve in Wingarra Drive will witness one of Grovedale’s ever “favourite sons” in th st Garry Kelson play his 200 . 1 .X1 match for his beloved club.

Making his GCA 1st.X1 debut for “The Tigers” in 1993-94 against Geelong City, a modest 11 runs was his sole match for the season in 1st.X1 ranks but since then he has racked up 6,463 runs at a brilliant average of 35.3 to be Grovedale’s highest runmaker.

He has enjoyed a wonderful comeback due to two seasons between 2010-11to 2011- 12 where the star bat just played 3 games recording 3 ducks ! Such is cricket.

He thus sits in just the 9th position of most runs ever in GCA 1st.XI cricket, Alf Clark the “man to catch” one day with 10,508 runs at North Geelong.

Kelson & Clark do share one proud “CV” when they retire, their brilliant careers achieved at just the one Club.

With 10 centuries he leads the Grovedale table in 1st.X1 status, his “juicy” figure to this column of 199 against St.Josephs in 2002-03 being the only 199 in GCA 1st.X1 history.

A further “quirk” in his decorated GCA career, England Test cricketer, Chris Lewis dismissed him both times in the same match for a “pair” in 1996-97, Lewis playing for Highton in his one and only game.

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They say “catches win matches” and batsmen equally win matches but the bowlers always toil in vain to win bending their backs for the points around the world.

st Look at last year in GCA 1 .X1 ranks – Grovedale achieved a GCA record with Gareth Yelland (45 wickets), Barry Tsitas (32) and Chris Young (32 ) topping the GCA bowling aggregates for the season.

That was a GCA record as not ever since 1896 have the top 3 bowlers headed the bowling aggregates from the same side.

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Interesting to see Greater Geelong mayoral candidate, Anthony Aitken put his hand up wishing an International cricket match in Geelong to commemorate the Anzac Day Centenary to be played at Simonds Stadium on 25th.April 2015 between Australia and New Zealand.

Curiously Geelong’s last International Match was between a “Geelong & Districts” side against New Zealand just on 30 years ago in January 1983 when the Geelong side of Mike Bowtell ©, Craig Scott, George Mirovich, Peter Caulfield, Les Barnett, Chris Lynch, Peter Oxlade, , Mark Seeckts, Garry Anderton and Glen Ward took on the New Zealand almost Test side which included Geoff Howarth, John Wright, , , , and .

For the record, New Zealand blasted 292, Hadlee’s 117 including six sixes into Moorabool Street, Geelong responding with a brilliant and gallant total of 5/193, Chris Lynch from Newtown & Chilwell run out and top-scoring with 54.

Darryn Lyons , like his mayoral race competitor in Anthony Aitken have neither played senior GCA cricket but flamboyant Darryn did play lower cricket for Leopold in his early days.

Lyons is a passionate Ambassador for the Geelong Cricket Club.

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th Carso – 150 . Match,

Surely one of the “longest” 150th. game will reach fruition when Marc Carson finally runs out this weekend for The Cats against Fitzroy-Doncaster.

With Cricket Victoria / Premier Cricket records stating he had played 146 1st.X1 games at the commencement of the season, he missed round 3 against St.Kilda due to shoulder and lower-back issues but this weekend he will finally play his 150th. match. With 304 wickets at a slender 19.9 apiece, his scalps are headed only by 6 current Premier Cricket players with former State leg-spinner, Bryce McGain topping the list with 477 wickets at 22.5 but McGain has accumulated those wickets for Frankston Peninsula / Prahran over 259 games, 150 greater than Carson.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 4

TH 25 . OCTOBER 2013

Sir Robert Menzies is quoted as saying “Statistics are the food and drink to the pure cricket enthusiast” and following the Prime Ministers words of many years ago, this column is enjoying a smorgasbord of stats with Murgheboluc continuing its fairytale entry into GCA 1st.X1 cricket.

Its giant-killing 1st.X1 win over Geelong West last saturday was supported by all of its 6 senior sides celebrating respective victories.

Club President Ron Stoop conceded to this column pre season that his wish was not just 1st.X1 success but also Club success. His Club thus sits already in just 5th. spot on the Club Championship ladder with 19 points behind perennial Club Championship heavyweight winners in North Geelong (26 points), East-Belmont (25), Newtown & Chilwell (23) & South Barwon (20).

To add a few “extras” to Murge’s stats, the clubs score of 4/354 in the 4ths. last saturday was the GCA highest score – all clubs -all- sections for the round. It was initiated by David Little’s 134, being the 17 year old’s highest score in his life having never passed a 50 before and partnered by veteran Colin Orr with an unconquered 104, his century achieved off the last ball of the innings.

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A few “bits & pieces” –

1. This column wrote last week that St.Josephs had not passed 250 for 3 seasons but last saturday the side responded with 5/283, led by Daniel Fanning’s 73 despite pulling a hamstring running for his 50th. run to take the points against a gallant City’s normally match-winning score of 268. Richie Oliver, recruited from Shropshire in England last season continued his blistering form with 109 after the previous two round scores of 69 & 114 for Geelong City.

2. Grovedale’s 214 fell short of South Barwon’s 6/215, New Zealender Brad Patton with 433 runs last season again failing in the “nervous nineties’ with 95 for Grovedale following a 97 last season, Clinton Peake in brilliant touch with an unbeaten 69 for South Barwon.

However Barry Tsitas’ 43 for Grove was his second only 40 in his career surpassing his 49 for Newtown & Chilwell in 2005-06.

3.Magpies “swoop” this time of the year in parks protecting their young but the lads at Osborne Park are happily sitting on top of the 1st.X1 ladder with 3 wins to open the season. Jake Thorne is in blistering form with successive scores of 60, 58 & 89no, club speedster Brad Scown wicketless to date.

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Oops !!! – Marc Carson did not play his 150th. game for Geelong last weekend as he was injured and did not play on saturday in the two one games over that weekend.

A curiosity – The Cats lost against Northcote last sunday with 256 and were beaten the previous day against 256 by S.Kilda ! Geelong continued its policy of promoting talented players with both Alex Cairns & James Westhorpe making their Premier Cricket debuts over the last weekend, both players from GCA ranks in Bell Post Hill and Geelong City respectively

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The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers Almanac is 150 years old. Founded by batchelor John Wisden in after he retired from first-class cricket in 1863 (his 10 wickets in an innings for North v South at Lords in 1850 still a unique feat in first-class cricket as all were bowled), the 150th. edition also includes an article by Murray Hedgcock, a London based Australian journalist who has written Wisden articles since 1953, Hedgcock having played hard-wicket cricket for Newtown & Chilwell prior to his voyage to England in 1951.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 3

TH 18 .OCTOBER 2013

Geelong plays a “double-header” this weekend with matches against St.Kilda on saturday and hosts Northcote on Sunday, the club inviting all past players and administrators to an informal luncheon beginning at noon on sunday. Current player Marc Carson has joined the Past Players Committee but the speedster will be on the field playing his 150th. GCC 1st.X1 match on sunday after making his senior debut against Hawthorn-Waverley in season 2000-01. He is only headed by Andre Borovec with 257 senior games, Clinton Peake (251), Trent Walerys (201) and Luke Muller (154) at Catland.

A member of the Premier Cricket Team of the Season in seasons 2010-11 and 2012-13, he lies sixth on the listing of most career wickets by current Premier Cricket players with 304 wickets at 19.9, former state leg spinner Bryce McGain heading this listing with 477 wickets at 22.5 but McGain has accumulated those wickets for Frankston Peninsula / Prahran over 259 games, 150 games greater than Carson.

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Picturesque gum tree lined King Lloyd Reserve on the banks of the Barwon River was certainly rocking late into the evening last saturday when the “new kid on the block” in Murgheboluc won its first GCA 1st.X1 match in just its second game and first at home following a promising 139 against seasoned campaigners North Geelong’s 6/206 in the opening round. St.Josephs continued its inability to generate healthy match-winning scores with 9/145 against The Frogs 7/147 (ex Geelong stars Trent Walerys and Daniel Fanning with 434 Premier Cricket wickets between them wicketless in Murge’s innings) following 120 in the opening round against Geelong West (in fact the Saints have only passed 250 in an innings on two occasions over the previous three seasons and have averaged a team score all out of 191 over that period. Murghe also took the points against St.Josephs 2nds and 3rds in this St.Josephs celebratory season of 50 seasons since joining the GCA senior competition in 1964-65.

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The demands on a Club President are all time-consuming but to simultaneously play top grade cricket is a rarity but last saturday Highton president Kris Gretgix led his side to victory over Leopold top scoring with an unbeaten 54 and thus inject confidence into his side, the team finishing last on the 1st.X1 ladder last season. Leopold skipper, Melton recruit David Kirk was again impressive with 73 following 93 in the opening round, Rod Kiddle, with 8287 career runs at 40.0 in 263 games again conspicuous by his absence for the winless 1st.X1 to date this season having played both matches in the seconds for returns of 7 & 23no.

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A “blast from the past” – Queenslander Aaron Maynard was “let loose” at Geelong Cricket Club in season 2005-06 and responded with 397 Premier Cricket runs in his debut season but after two seasons and 30 senior matches with a best of 125no against Essendon in 2006-07 opted to join Camberwell Magpies for 2 further two seasons before finding home at Altona in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association in 2009-10 where he has played 58 games in the club’s 1st.X1 amassing 1869 runs at 38.9 with three centuries but word “down the line” is he was ecstatic with his match-winning and unbeaten 103 last saturday in a 45 over one-day fixture against Mt.Waverley, the diminutive batsman fending off lucrative offers from rival clubs to remain with his happily adopted Altona CC.

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Since this column was published last friday, it is now common knowledge that the great has announced his intention to retire next month in his 200th. Test with 15,387 Test runs including 51 Test centuries – all Test records, but a few stats not commonly known –

He is a Member of Parliament in the Indian Upper House, the Rajya Sabha party.

• The second highest partnership ever in the world in minor cricket involved Tendulkar when aged 14, he and V.G. Kambli piled on an unfinished 664 in 1987 for the 3rd. wicket, Sharadashram Vidyamandir School v St.Xavier’s High School at Bombay. Tendulkar made his Test debut 21 months later. • Arjun Tendulkar, the 12 year old son of Sachin, hit his maiden century in the Mumbai CA’s U14 trials scoring 124 for Khar Gymkana against Goregain Centre on May 27 this year. • Cricket Australia flew a cup to mark Tendulkar’s 100th. International hundred to every venue where he played in Australia in 2011-12, awaiting the moment for presentation, which never came. Instead, the Mumbai Cricket Association later showered Tendulkar with a hundred gold coins when he did achieve his 100th. International hundred. • Current British Prime Minister David Cameron caught his wife playing french cricket in the family’s back yard, the bat autographed by Tendulkar. He immediately retrieved the priceless bat !

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 2

In a low scoring affair at the Russell Zampatti Oval, the hosts collapsed from a comfortable 4/98 to be all out for 120 in persuit of Geelong West’s modest 129 but a trio of Rams achieved personal milestones in the encounter last Saturday. 2010-11 premiership player Ken Spence, with 52 on debut and a career best 386 runs in his maiden season of 2004-05 and team-mate Josh Vrbovski, also a premiership member in 2008-09 both celebrated game number 100 after both commenced their 1st.X1 careers together against Newtown & Chilwell in 2004-05.

Sam Loftus, when on 15 during his innings of 27 passed 4,000 career runs at a super average of 38.7, his eleven centuries to date including a best of 176 for St.Josephs against Newcomb & District in the 2005-06 Qualifying Final, that score an all-time record at St.Josephs achieved during his 5 season stint at that club 2003-04 to 2007-08. A true Geelong sporting all-rounder with exceptional talents also on the footy field, Loftus’ 158 & 7/44 for St.Josephs against Lara in 2003-04 lifted him into the unique category of being one of only 4 GCA 1st.X1 cricketers to compile 150 or more and take 7 wickets in an innings in the same match and the first since 1902-03.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Trio number two – three batsmen raised their respective bats in triumph last Saturday after entering the record books with 50 on debut. Melton recruit and skipper, David Kirk led his side gallantly with 93 on debut, being a Leopold record in the club’s 55th season, his brilliant innings overtaking the previous Leopold record of 77 recorded by 3 players, R.Mott in 1980-81, G.Kilfoyle (1985-86) and B.O’Brien (2009-10). Looking for quick runs, Kirk just missed the elusive century against Newtown & Chilwell.

New Magpie captain recruited from Geelong Cricket Club, Jacob Thorne amassed 60 on debut against newcomer Murgheboluc, the ex-Geelong bat having played 53 Premier Cricket matches for 842 runs and a best of 82no against Footscray-Edgewater just 2 seasons ago, the prize recruit initially signed by the Cats from Ballarat.

Sam McTaggart also “joined the party” by top-scoring in St.Josephs mediocre 120 with an unbeaten 53 on debut, the Kew recruit also opening the bowling with a promising 2/13 off 7 lively overs.

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Twenty years ago Geelong Cricket Club entered VCA (Premier Cricket) in 1993-94 and last Saturday the four debutants of Eamonn Vines (ex-South Barwon), Matthew Gunther (GCC 3rd.X1), Chris Williams (ex-East Belmont) and Khalid Sawas (ex- Sub District & Lancashire 2nd.X1) lifted the number of cricketers to play GCC 1st.X1 to 102 over the two decades. As per the GCC rule that when two or more players make their debut in the same match, their “cap number” is allocated on an alphabetical basis, hence hard hitting Sawas from Macclesfield in Lancashire will forever be imbedded in GCC folklore as the 100th. cricketer to represent the club at 1st.X1.

With Aaron Finch clearly the outstanding success within the first 100 players having currently risen to the Australian One-Day side, seven others to have played for Victoria at either First-Class or One-Dayers or both to date are Kevin Neville, Jason Bakker, Clinton Peake, Brad Stacey, Dan Lowery, Ben Oliver and Grant Lindsay.

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One of the greatest recruiting coups in living GCA memory would no doubt be the signing of dual Geelong West premiership player, Glen Talarico to Murgheboluc, the gifted all-rounder the envy of many with 4188 runs at the wonderful average of 44.5 plus 208 wickets at a miserly 17.3 apiece, his CV also including a majestic 230no for West against Leopold in 2008-09, his score only headed ever by Stephen Wells with 237 for Newtown & Chilwell against East-Belmont in 1986-87.

Brilliant as Talarico’s stats are his contribution of 4 runs and 0/32 on debut for his newly adopted club last Saturday was the first occasion in his 106 matches that he has been wicketless and scored 4 or less with the bat in the same match.

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How the “mighty” have fallen. North Shore could muster just 17 against Bell Park on their home-patch at Windsor Park in GCA 1st.X1, Division 3, last Saturday, the wicket apparently in good condition as Bell Park scored 5/253. North Shore played at the highest GCA level for 19 seasons, 1966-67 to 1984-85 and in those days boasted such great players such as Glen Ward, Colin Luttrell, Ken Newland, Doug Toulmin, Richard Brady and Gary Mawson, just to name a few who would be most embarrassed with their sides lack of competition last Saturday.

O’DOWD DECLARES

SEASON 2013-14

ARTICLE NO 1

Trade apprenticeships these days reach fruition within 3-5 years but the longest “apprenticeship” in GCA 1st.X1 history will be achieved on saturday when Murgheboluc’s fairytale dream of playing top local cricket will be realised with gun recruit, Glen Talarico leading his charges onto the field at Osborne Park against powerhouse club, North Geelong.

“Murghe”was formed in 1930-31 and played social matches but was not competing in any structured form. The following season it fielded its only team in the Stonehaven Cricket Association and played for the next 10 seasons until the competition was disbanded because of WW2. The club reformed in 1946-47 in the Geelong Senior Matting competition, that comp absorbed into the GCA in 1947-48 where Murghe played in the lower divisions for the next 36 seasons.

Winning four premierships to 1968-69, its finest flag was in that season when it won the Hedley Shield, being the premier competition outside GCA 1st.X1 cricket in those days.

In 1983-84 Murgheboluc joined the newly formed Geelong & District Cricket Association then moved onto the Geelong Churches Cricket Association in 1995-96 following the wind-up of the G&DCA.

A significant decision was made by the club hierarchy in 1998-99 when Murghe moved from its traditional home of 68 years at Murgheboluc Reserve to King Lloyd Reserve in Newtown beside the Barwon River. It was fitting for the club to re-locate within close proximity of water as a swamp has always existed beside its ground at Murgheboluc housing an abundance of frogs and legend has it Murgheboluc is an aboriginal name for “plenty of frogs”, hence the club plays under the banner of “The Frogs”. It then re-joined the GCA after a 21 year absence in 2004-05 and won the Division 2 Club Championship. It celebrated its 75th. anniversary in 2005-06 and fielded 10 sides (4 senior and 6 junior) for the first time.

Another defying moment in time was made in 2010-11 when the club laid a turf wicket at King Lloyd in Murgheboluc’s 80th year.

With 32 premierships (17 senior & 15 junior), it thus becomes the 48th. club to play GCA 1st.X1 cricket (Division One). Murgheboluc Cricket Club is also one of only 4 GCA 1st.X1 clubs to boast the England world famous Marylebone Cricket Club initials of “MCC”(Murgheboluc’s club colours ironically that of Australia’s green & gold !), the other three “MCC” clubs in GCA being Magpies CC which played for two seasons, 1896-97 & 1897-98, Marshall CC’s one season being in 2004-05 and Manifold Heights CC for 4 seasons 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 & 2007-08.

So the “long and winding road” of 83 seasons concludes on saturday, the club’s hopes, dreams and aspirations being finally realised on the big stage. No prouder man will be club legend, Rick Inglis, the current club Treasurer, a position he has held for 14 years coupled with 15 years officiating also as club secretary and simultaneously a player for 28 seasons but club President Ron Stoop summed it all up saying “ In 2010 the club put together a five year plan on getting into GCA 1st.X1 Division One and staying there for the long term. We are very pleased we have reached our goal sooner than expected, however we realise we still have a lot of work to do to be competitive and ensure a sustainable future. We acknowledge it’s a step up from Division Two (particularly with a young list) and the boys have put in a big pre-season to prepare for the year ahead and they are excited and looking forward to stepping out onto the ground against North Geelong”

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So weather permitting, the season kicks off on saturday but two star batsmen have decided to hang up the boots in East-Belmont’s Shaun Hooley and St.Josephs’ Damien Foster. Unaware of a curious stat, Hooley compiled 2,999 runs @ a strong average of 33.3 which included 3 centuries and a best of 116no against North Geelong in 2010-11 since making his debut for East in 1996-97. He played 124 games which was interrupted by a 9 season stint at Geelong CC, his 107 matches including 19 in Premier Cricket 1st.X1 with a best of 68 against Prahran in 2002-03. He thus retires “on a high note”, being a member of East-Belmont’s 1st.X1 premiership side last season, a brilliant 82 in the qualifying final followed up with a match winning 56 in the grand final.

Damien Foster debuted in 1989-90 for East-Belmont and played for that club for two seasons followed by another two seasons at Highton but made his mark at St .Josephs, his next 12 seasons yielding 4,110 runs @ 31.6 being the most runs by a current player for St. Josephs prior to his retirement this season. Five career centuries, being a record best for the Saints with Gary Foss and David Morgan, his finest score was 159 against Geelong City in his first season for St.Josephs in 2001-02, his overall career runs standing at 4,477 runs @ 31.3.

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