It’s never over ’til it’s over - Petersham v Cumberland

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | April 19, 2025

In a one-day match at Merrylands Oval in 1972-73, Cumberland’s Test star Doug Walters, annihilated the Petersham-Marrickville attack, belting 190* with 24 fours and a six. He was accompanied by Bruce Neill who hit 122* including 15 boundaries. Their partnership of 319 was a Cumberland record for the first wicket and the fourth highest (now sixth) in Sydney 1st Grade Cricket.

But the task of overhauling the mammoth score of 0-319 declared in just 44 overs was embraced by the visitors and 187 minutes later, victory was theirs. Brian Riley led the charge with 99 made in 115 minutes hitting 15 fours and two sixes. He and Noel Hughes (51*) put on 142 for the fifth wicket in 81 minutes. Billy Moffatt also scored well with 57 including six boundaries and three sixes while Dave Baxter was solid at the top of the order with 57 in 70 minutes. The final tally was 5-321 made in 56.5 overs. The only dampener among the after-match celebrations was Brian Riley being bowled by off-spinner Bob Aitken one run short of what would have been a maiden Grade and 1st Grade century.

Lyall Gardner

Randwick Petersham Historian

Mellick Wealth Management is a proud sponsor of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club