100 Moments of 100 years of St George First Grade Cricket 1931-32 to 1940-41
St George Cricket Club | June 30, 2025
Here is Part 9 of our 10-part series. We now explore the era coming out of the great depression and prior to World War II featuring 10 more significant moments in 100 years of St George DCC First Grade cricket. An era that sees us cover our First 1st Grade premiership and such names as Bradman and O'Reilly. With thanks to one of our trusty club historians Nathan Anderson.
1. Donald Bradman scores 246 in 205 minutes against Randwick with 25 boundaries and one six. This innings remains the highest score for a St George DCC batsman. (1931-32)
2. In only seven completed innings, Bradman scores 785 runs to break Bob Louden’s club record of 777 for most runs in a first grade season. (1931-32)
3. Harry Theak records the match figures of 13 for 63 against Central Cumberland and is referred to as “the [Tibby] ‘Cotter’ of St George.” At the time it was the best figures for the club in first grade. It was the first of three matches in the 1931-32 season where Theak took more than 10 wickets in a match (12 for 73 v Balmain, 12 for 60 v Paddington) (1931-32)
4. Donald Bradman scores 134 against Balmain, recording his 6th successive century in six innings for the club across two seasons. His scores included 128 v Paddington, 201 v Gordon, 108* v Gordon, 105* v Mosman, 112 v Manly and 134 v Balmain. (1931-32 to 1932-33)
5. Bob Louden produces an innings deemed “one of the most forceful seen on Hurstville Oval”, scoring 193 against Petersham. The “lucrative lash” received an ovation from the crowd at the completion of his innings. (1933-34)
6. Bill O’Reilly announces his arrival at St George DCC with 8 for 55 against Western Suburbs including a hat-trick. He ends his first match for the club with figures of 12 for 79. (1934-35)
7. Bill O’Reilly records the match figures of 15 for 42 against Manly. This remains the best match figures for a bowler in first grade for the club. (1937-38)
8. In its nineteenth season of first grade, the club wins the first grade premiership. Led by Bill O’Reilly, the club wins four consecutive premierships from 1939-40 to 1942-43. A decision in the mid-1930s to build a team with young talent proved a wise one. (1939-40)
9. At only seventeen years of age, Arthur Morris scores 890 runs in a first grade season, setting the club record which lasts for 27 seasons. (1940-41)
10. In his initial first grade season, Bob Cristofani takes 50 wickets at 15.3. Alongside Bill O’Reilly (46 wickets) and Morris, the club achieves its second consecutive premiership. (1940-41)
Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O'Reilly OAM and Harry Theak, just a few of the big name players from this ear.
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