100 Moments in 100 Years of St George First Grade 1971-72 to 1980-81
St George Cricket Club | May 27, 2025
Here is Part 5 of our 10 part series compiled by Club Historian, Nathan Anderson, covering the decade between 71/72 - 80/81.
1. Warren Saunders totals 1024 runs in one season of first grade, establishing a new club record and becoming the first St George batsman to achieve the feat. (1971-72)
2. Warren Saunders becomes the first St George batsman in club history to score 10,000 runs in first grade. A record gained “against the backgrounds of forefront batting” as well as “the added burden of captaincy and the frequent interruptions for interstate commitments.” (1971-72)
3.In a match deemed the best “seen at Hurstville since the days of Bradman and O’Reilly”, St George lose in a thrilling semi-final finish against Western suburbs. Chasing an unlikely 233 to win in 30 overs, over 5,000 spectators witnessed Saunders and Watson combine for a century partnership in their last match. St George finished four runs short on 9 for 229 when stumps are called. (1971-72)
4. The end of the 1971-72 season brings the retirements of three club stalwarts in Warren Saunders, Bill Watson, and Mick Favell. Saunders retires as the highest run scorer (10,952 runs, Watson as the second (9081 runs) and Favell as the leading wicket taker in club history (1,143 wickets)
Club legends Warren Saunders, Bill Watson and Mick Favell
5. With 38 catches and 5 stumpings, Ray Tozer completes a record 43 dismissals in one season. His record remains unbeaten for 24 seasons. (1971-72)
6. Jon Jobson combines with Brian Booth to put on 211 runs for the 4th wicket against North Sydney. At the time it is the fourth highest fourth wicket partnership for the club in first grade. (1975-76)
7. Brian Booth scores 115 not out against North Sydney, recording his 23rd and final century in first grade. A club record which has remained unbeaten since. (1975-76)
The legendary Brian Booth
8. Brian Booth becomes the second batsman in club history to score 10,000 runs in first grade. An effort which “has been highlighted over the seasons with many magnificent batting efforts”. He retires at the end of the following season with 10,674 runs in first grade. (1975-76)
9. Brian Booth becomes the first St George player to win the NSWCA Bill O’Reilly medal for first grade player of the year. He scores 852 runs in the season. (1974-75)
10. Ray Tozer creates a club record, playing 200 consecutive matches in first grade as wicket-keeper. (1976-77)
Wicket Keeping extraordinaire Ray Tozer
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