Bob Thomas - From Wade Park, Orange to Chatswood Oval: An Unexpected Call Up
Gordon District Cricket Club | June 09, 2025
I always considered myself very fortunate to grow up in the country and particularly so on a farm, just west of Orange.
It was a wonderful life for a young boy, immersed in animals and the production of all types of fruits, except incidentally oranges. After school finished each day, there was heaps of adventures on the farm to pursue and mostly with my faithful dog who doubled as a best mate.
I grew up in a family that loved sport and particularly cricket. Dad, bless him, even built a concrete pitch in a field, where my older brother Alan and I played extremely competitively until we were called for dinner. Being five years younger, it seemed that I bowled pretty much all the time!
Schoolboy and club cricket in Orange at the time were particularly strong and there was plenty of opportunity to play representative cricket in both areas. It also didn’t hurt to regularly practice with Stuart Webster and Steve Bernard, who both played plenty of matches for New South Wales in first-class cricket. I also never missed a game any visiting Jack Chegwyn team played when they toured Orange or anywhere else up to two hours away.
Having enjoyed playing for Country at both schoolboy and senior levels, it was time to head for the ‘big smoke’ after school, where you found out very quickly that games were played at a different intensity. Playing for Sutherland, I distinctly remember the first match against Balmain at Drummoyne Oval. The opposing team was not friendly at all and seriously questioned my suitability to be on the field and a few other areas as well! This was the expected baptism of fire from the opposition and all climaxed by a bumper at the throat. Welcome to Sydney, son!
Having played two seasons for Sutherland, employment led me to the North Shore, Gordon Cricket Club and Chatswood Oval. The team was captained by the venerable Dick Guy, who demanded his high expectations be met each and every game. Behind the stumps was the Australian wicketkeeper, Brian Taber, a champion player and an even better bloke. I used to field in the covers, and survey the field, almost pinching myself how wonderful it was to be part of such a competitive team.
During that first 1971-72 season, we only lost one match – the grand final against Western Suburbs. It’s hard to win a game when you’re dismissed for 48 and Gary Gilmour takes 6-4 on a grassy Chatswood Oval. Too good was Gus and although the Stags rallied, Wests were victorious by six wickets in a four innings game.
Despite the disappointment, I was thrilled with the season and the way in which our team prepared for each game. After Thursday practice, it was compulsory to head for the nearby and revered Gordon Rugby Club. Over a couple of cleansing ales, the side would then have dinner together and discuss in depth our next opponent. For a young country boy, it was a pleasure to be part of a team that planned and prepared for every match in such a manner.
The first game of the 1974-75 season was played at Chatswood Oval, although I’m unable to remember our opposition on the day. Far more sadly and importantly, it was to be the last game of cricket I played with my hero, Brian Taber. While in the field and with Tabsy keeping, a ball jagged disconcertingly off a length and struck him a nasty blow in the eye. Instantly we all knew this was an incredibly serious injury and Tabsy was taken to hospital for treatment.
What happened next, I remember extremely clearly. Dick Guy surveyed the remaining fieldsmen, fixed his gaze on me and said, “Bobby, put on the gloves and keep your legs together!” Stunned by the captain’s decision and having never worn the gloves ever, this was no time to argue. The other players were very supportive and somehow, we made it through the match.
What was even more of a surprise was that ‘keep your legs together’ became a season long challenge and, to be fair, an enjoyable experience. I remember my dad was thrilled, as he’d always reinforced the concept of being totally involved in each and every game. “Tell them you bat and bowl son, and if there’s no keeper, volunteer there too.”
It’s interesting to look back over the history of Gordon cricket and in particular, the number of wicketkeepers who have worn the baggy green. Bert Oldfield, Brian Taber, Adam Gilchrist and Phil Emery have all graced Chatswood Oval with their abundant skills and abilities. Sometimes though, you have the keepers by necessity and those who just ‘keep their legs together’. It’s all part of a positive team culture and enjoying the various challenges that sometimes need to be faced.
Go the Stags!
Editor’s note
In that summer of 1974-75 Bob Thomas secured 41 dismissals behind the stumps, 32 catches and nine stumpings. It was a record that stood for 34 years until broken by Iain Beverley who effected 47 dismissals, 34 catches and 13 stumpings in the 2008-09 season.
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