Throwback; Cricket title to Penrith - 1978-79
Penrith Cricket Club | August 27, 2026
Looking back through our history, we go back to 1978/79, when a newspaper article (unknown writer), published by the Penrith Press, reported on our First Grade taking home our maiden First Grade Premiership.
IT was champers for Penrith’s first grade cricket team when declared competition winners at Howell Oval on Sunday.
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Play against St George was abandoned for the day at 3pm due to persistent rain. With the result a draw and Penrith ahead of Saints on the table, they were automatic premiership winners.
Saints, 1-54 in reply to Penrith’s 198, might have run out of time in any case. Their 54 runs were scored in the funeral time of 144 minutes! But whether Saints could have passed Penrith’s total is purely academic. Penrith fully deserved their win.
“They were minor premiers and lost only two matches during the long season. “The win was a triumph for skipper, John Benaud, who led his team in inspiring fashion. “And the win was also a triumph for Penrith Leagues Club who showered out the money to build the team into a match winning combination. “The revival in cricket interest this season has been remarkable at a local district club level. More than 2000 spectators watched Saturday’s play.
ABOUT the only happy memories St George rugyb league first grade must have of Penrith’s world have of Penrith’s in the season when they take their families to Warragamba Dam for a Sunday picnic.
At least Warragamba is a pleasant spot and well removed from Penrith Park. Penrith Park is certainly their nemesis.
This was proved again on Sunday when the Panthers, in a determined display, rubbed the noses of the 1977 premiers well into the “grit” of the Penrith Park rain-soaked grass after winning a cliff-hanger 12–11.
Penrith’s win could be classed as a shock but locals, including yours truly, were prepared for it.
For some reason Saints style of play seems to suit Penrith, whereas other teams have difficulty in handling the Red Robly and company.
And Penrith, admitted to first division in 1967 when Saints lost their crown after 11 successive premiership wins, has no St George complex.
They could be playing St Marys, not St George, for all the Dragons tradition means to them.
But this does not mean that St George is not a top team.
They are, and to chalk up their win on Sunday, Penrith had to produce some wonderful football.
Down 9-2 in the first half the Panthers struck back in rousing style.
Hard tackling produced handling errors by Saints — while a note of panic crept into their play.
