Penrith 1978/79 - The Bankstown Connection
Penrith Cricket Club | October 19, 2025
1978/79 First Grade Premiers:
(back) Ken Hall, John Benaud (C), Peter Clough, Steve Small, Trevor Everest, Steve Frances;
(front) Tony Radanovic, Les Andrews, Ron Halse, Gary Donlan, David Laming, Graham Thorpe.
Because Steve Small went on to play Sheffield Shield Cricket with Tasmania and NSW, and to coach NSW, his name resonates with cricket followers more than three other players who joined Penrith from the Bankstown club in 1978/79.
Les Andrews was an outstanding wicket-keeper, either up or back, a perfectionist whose diligent practice ethic was infectious and whose sensible, aggressive batting at No.7 often rescued the team when under pressure. He played three consecutive seasons from 1978/79 and took 59 catches and made 20 stumpings, many from the well-disguised, deadly Gary Donlan ‘arm ball’. Les always presented immaculately, even at the end of a hot day where diving and scrambling may have been occasionally required, and had a no-byes record second to none. He scored 686 runs @ 21.43, the worthiest his 80 v North Sydney in the 1978/79 Semi-final. In 1980/81 against Mosman, he fell just five runs short of a maiden century. In 1979/80, he was appointed Club Coach and also worked long hours with the local juniors.
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Tony Radanovic had played with John Benaud at Cumberland a decade before being lured to Penrith as the ‘foil’ for Donlan. Possessed of the perfect quirky sense of humour every spinner must have, ‘Ratsac’ brought to the Club not just years of experience in his tight, left-arm orthodox spin but an entrepreneurial spirit that lifted the team in tough times. And, he organised the tracksuits that gave the team a more professional look in the 1978/79 season. A severe hamstring injury impacted his career (49 wickets @ 20.30).
Graeme Thorpe was a quiet type, but a fine achiever. ‘Thorpie’ moved to the Penrith District and debuted in 1978/79. Apart from three matches in Seconds, he played Firsts, starting as a middle-order batsman but was soon promoted to opener, where he stayed. Thorpie had a great eye and combated the new ball with Michael Slater-like aggression. He was a brilliant fielder, anywhere, and arguably was as quick as Dean Jones between the wickets. He played in both First Grade Premiership teams and, in 1982/83, scored 526 runs (Ave 26.30). For the Club, he scored 2,166 runs @ 24.32. He later became the Curator at Howell Oval. He is the uncle of the great swimmer, Ian Thorpe.
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