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Q: Gosford Cricket Club is having a 40-year reunion for its 1983-84 First Grade Premiership winning team at the Elanora Hotel on the 16 March 2024.
We’re excited to confirm, as at today, all the eleven players will be in attendance.
Being a Gosford junior, I was lucky to be part of the previous year’s win as well in 1982/83 so to go back-to-back was a great thing for someone like me who started playing with the club at a young age as many of us did.
For myself, it happened only by chance.
In the 1982-83 season I was playing for Bankstown and a midweek training mishap during the season put me out with injury for 6 to 8 weeks. My spot in the first-grade team was taken by a young 17-year-old by the name of S.R. Waugh.
On returning from injury Bankstown couldn’t guarantee my spot in 1st Grade as the side was doing well so Gosford approached me to finish the season with them.
Whether that was right or wrong I don’t know but I got a clearance from the Bankstown and finished the season with Gosford where we beat Wyong in the Final of the Central Coast Competition.
In the winter of 1983, I was planning to play the 1983-84 season in Sydney when I received a phone call from a Gosford Life Member and well-known businessman offering what at that time was quite a large monetary offer to stay and play for Gosford.
After the shock and a week of thinking about it I accepted the offer, and we were fortunate to win the Central Coast Competition again that season.
As a kid growing up and as I said ‘a Club Junior’ so to play for Gosford on the hallowed turf of Grahame Park and win a couple of first grade premierships brings back some great memories.
For the club to have to merge after 108-year history is very sad but the memories will never fade.
Cheers
Greg Briggs.
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Q: Australian Under 19 cricket team to tour Pakistan in 1981
Back Row - Tony Gifford (Manager) , Greg Briggs, Ron Howland, Christopher Dalkin, Stephen Monty, David Milligan, Geoff Milliken, Russell Emens, Paul Sacco (Doctor)
Front Row - Jon Maher, David Knox, Andrew Ledger, Laurie Potter (captain), Tim May, Doug Harris, Tom Birchall
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Q: I remember a pre-season training session at Western Suburbs when I first came to Sydney and Australian cricketing great and club legend Alan Davidson spoke to the playing group about the benefits of hard work and training with purpose.
Mr. Davidson strongly emphasized the 6 Ps in cricket. Perfect Practice Prevent Piss Poor Performance.
All these years later I now know the 6Ps don’t just relate to cricket.
It’s human to want to know your role and not just in a cricket team. It’s in business, the workplace, and our personal lives. We all like to know where we fit in and the role we play.
The role of a captain in cricket is not just about what happens on the field or game day. It’s also important to know your players, what makes them tick and how you can help them feel better and more confident about the role you want them to play in the team.
A player who knows their role will tend to perform better than a player who is unsure and second-guessing their position.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1735/when-should-a-cricket-captain-share-the-batting-order-with-their-players-and-the-team
A: Having Captained teams regularly since U/12’s I think it’s very important to communicate to your team in roles everyone plays including the batting order.
Nothing worse than being a top order batsman & not knowing where you are listed in the order arriving on the day of the match.
I remember one player I Captained & he would only bat on even numbers in the order.
Luckily he was good enough to bat 4 all year…😂😂
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Q: Our son played under 14 representative cricket last season and did trial for a club’s green shield team for this season. Unfortunately, he missed out but a number of his team mates made the squad.
A few parents of the kids have been persistent with wanting our son to play green shield with them and it’s upsetting him as the coaches of the club have said the squads have been selected.
What should we do to help him?
A: Hi Tim,
As a former Green Shield player & captain myself I like a lot of the comments above that may assist you.
Paul Ryan mentioned that being an U/14 last year he would be eligible again next year for selection & that listening & talking to the Club & Club Coaches & not to much of the other comments from say other Parents that have no influence whatsoever.
Keep encouraging him in scoring runs, taking wickets or dismissals if he’s a keeper but most importantly to enjoy himself. That’s the key, enjoying the game & the rest will fall in place.
I would definitely be keeping in touch with the Club & Club Green Shield Coach or Coaches this year with a view of trialling again next year & knowing the path he needs to tread before then.
The Green Shield to me is the best Junior Competition in NSW which is the steppingstone to Grade, that’s what it was when I played now Premier Cricket I think is what they call it that can lead to bigger things at Senior level.
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Q: Northern District Cricket Club Poidevin Gray Shield winners 1979/80
Back Row – Reg Grimble (Scorer), Tim Ebbeck, Tony Ford, Andrew Shore, Ross Henry, Gordon Morgan, Graham Reece, Stephen Day, Chris Haviland (Manager)
Front Row – Paul Grimble, Greg Briggs, Randal Green, Phil Voysey (Captain), John Grimble, Peter Coyle
Match scorecard -
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/451/greg-briggs/blog/1356/northern-district-cricket-club-poidevin-gray-shield-winners-197980
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Back Row – Reg Grimble (Scorer), Tim Ebbeck, Tony Ford, Andrew Shore, Ross Henry, Gordon Morgan, Graham Reece, Stephen Day, Chris Haviland (Manager)Front Row – Paul Grimble, Greg Briggs, ...
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Q: Tim Ebbeck was a wicket keeper who made his first grade debut for Northern District Cricket Club in 1979/80 at the age of 19.
For 11 seasons Tim was the first grade wicket keeper and he was as they say about keepers “the drummer in the band” through one of the club’s most successful eras when they won back to back premierships in 1985/86 and 1986/87.
He finished playing at the age of 30 and has carved out a very successful career in business.
Tim has made an enormous contribution to the club both on and off the field so let’s find out about Tim’s journey in the game.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/298/northern-district-cricket-club-sydney/blog/258/tim-ebbeck-play-hard-play-fair-be-respected
A: Played quite a bit with Tim in my time at ND’s & he was one of those players you wanted to play with & his keeping was second to none & he was definitely the “drummer in the band”
Northern District Cricket Club Sydney
10 months ago
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Q: Batting first in front of a large crowd at Redfern Oval, this performance may best be summed up by the report which appeared in The Sunday Times newspaper on 1 February 1903. It read: “At Redfern, Victor Trumper provided 7,000 people with a display which even his greatest admirers were not prepared. In 2 ¾ hours, he compiled 335 runs off his own bat, his cricket and rate of scoring outclassing anything ever before seen on a ground noted for fast rungetting. Prior to Trumper, Redfern bowlers had been performing in fine style, but he simply annihilated them yesterday. He hit 22 fives and 39 fours, which made 266 runs by boundary hits. He sent the ball out of the ground and over the heads of the people in all directions, into the streets, the park, and the bowling green. Such hitting was never before seen here, and probably in the world. Trumper’s 335 is the record score for Senior cricket in Sydney and the first wicket partnership of 423 by him and D. Gee, who made 172, is also a record here. It may be mentioned that E. Hume, Redfern’s crack bowler, bowled ten overs from which 120 runs were hit.”
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/227/lyall-gardner/blog/1265/nsw-premier-cricket-the-record-partnerships-from-1893-to-2023-the-first-wicket-record
A: What great reading.
Fancy Redfern Oval being a 1st Grade Cricket Ground 120 years ago.
Lyall Gardner
10 months ago
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Q: NSW Sheffield Shield Cricket team v South Australia in 1975- 76
Back Row - David Hourn, Stuart Webster, David Colley, Ross Collins, Rick McCosker, Len Pascoe, Alan Turner
Front Row - Gary Gilmore, Kerry O’Keeffe, Peter Toohey, Doug Walters, Steve Rixon, Brain Hazel (Manager)
A: What a good side this one is. Most went on to play for Australia at some stage & was lucky enough myself to play against a number of these boys a few years later.
Had a couple of seasons playing with Stuart Webster at the Newtown Club in Dubbo about 15 or 16 years after this was taken.
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Q: Do you recognise this ground from Sydney Grade Cricket and do you have a memorable moment you'd like to share from playing or watching a game at the ground?
A: Played a number of games there.
My father played for Marrickville in the 1940’s before Petersham & Marrickville merged & then he went on to play for Bankstown when they formed early in the 1950’s due to residency.
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Q: Who are the captains, coaches and leaders in cricket, sport, business or any field of life you admire and relate to most in terms of their achievements, respect and what they stand for?
If you’d like to mention why, please do.
A: Being an avid Rugby League supporter the four coaches I look back on are Norm Provan, the old school Captain/Coach from the St George days a true leader. Then Jack Gibson, didn’t say much but he got the best out of players similar to Wayne Bennett & a great man manager then Craig Bellamy who got players who struggled at other clubs & he’d get them to another level with self belief.
As a Captain Ian Chappell was my favourite as a young fella growing up & although he wasn’t officialdom’s favourite his players loved him & listening to Dad & his stories of Keith Miller Captaining NSW he was very unique in his style but the players loved him & he didn’t lose to many when skippering NSW.
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Q: My best grade team - Greg Briggs 1980s
I was graded with Northern District as a 14 year old in the mid 70’s and went on to play First Grade with ND’s, Cap No. 275, then transferred to the Bankstown Club, Cap No. 151 followed then by moving to Gordon, Cap No. 430 in the late 80’s. I was fortunate to play 1st Grade with these three great Clubs throughout that decade. This is my Grade Team of the 80’s that I played with.
1. Neil Howlett – Northern District
Tall upright and elegant. Very unlucky not to play for NSW
2. Steve Smith - Bankstown.
Great opening bat and went on to play for NSW & Australia.
3. Mark O’Neill - Gordon.
Sparky made it look easy and was very close to playing Test Cricket.
4. Bob Vidler – Bankstown
Good bat led the Bankstown Club in those early 80’s and played for NSW
5. Peter Taylor – Northern District
This might surprise a few but Peter was a great middle order bat for the ND’s Club before going on to play as a Test Spinner for Australia
6. Randall Green – Northern District
I played a lot of cricket with this bloke in the early years. Great bat and could murder an attack
7. Steve Day - Gordon and Captain
I’ve gone with 7 bats in my 12 and this bloke was born to Captain. Great cricketing brain and could bat as well.
8. Phil Emery –Gordon and Wicket Keeper
Phil batted 3 for Gordon and was a great Keeper for the Gordon Club, NSW and played 1 Test for Australia. Great bloke as well.
9. Mark Clews – Northern District
Clewsy led the ND’s attack for many years and played quite a number of Shield games for NSW.
10. Brett McKirdy – Bankstown
Brett had some great years with Bankstown in that late 70’s & into the 80’s. NSW Colts Player.
11. Richard Stobo – Gordon
Stobs was a great bowler and always gave 100%. Played a number of Shield games for NSW as well.
12. Steve Whitfield – Northern District
Steve was one of those left arm fast medium bowlers to convert to bowling left arm orthodox later in his career. Did such a great job he ended up playing Shield Cricket for NSW. Great bloke Whitters as well.
That’s my team of the 80’s, so many great memories of those days.
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Q: Which cricket club in Australia has had the most number of Australian Test wicket keepers play grade cricket at their club?
A: The Gordon Club in Sydney had a few,
The legendary Bert Oldfield, Brian Taber, Phil Emery & a young fella by the name of Adam Gilchrist was there for a period of time.
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Q: As a young kid, I heard my dad share a lot of stories about his cricket career and he loved nothing more than stories of the great Keith Miller.
You see dad was Ron Briggs and he was fortunate to play 15 first-class games for NSW in the 1950s under the leadership of Miller.
It wasn’t until I was older that I appreciated his Miller stories.
In dad’s first game for NSW under Miller leadership, Jimmy Burke said, “whatever you do, don’t ask Miller where to field.” Dad asked him “why?” Burke replied, “just don’t, pick somewhere and go there.” To dads amazement with no field placings from the skipper he just kept picking positions in the field of his judgement through day.
It wasn’t long before Miller found out about dads love of the horses and a punt so he ended up next to Miller in the slips with Miller at first and dad at second with Miller talking about all sorts of things particularly the horse racing game but there was never any chat regarding the cricket match. He would make bowling changes and he would only bowl if he was in the mood.
As I working my way through the Grades at Northern District in Sydney I was fortunate to be selected for the Australian Under 19s tour of Pakistan.
The team gathered at the Travelodge in Rushcutters Bay in February 1981 for a couple of days to get to know our fellow squad members before flying out to Karachi.
The day before leaving we had a net session at the SCG followed by a function in the City and were told our special guest for the night was Keith Miller.
I couldn’t believe it. I rang dad as soon as we got back to the Hotel.
We filed in looking flash in our blazers and ties and Miller was sitting on a corner of a table and we were introduced one by one to the great man.
When it came to my turn, he looked at me “Briggs, Briggs”, I replied “yes, I’m Ron Briggs’s son” in which he replied, “well bugger me!!”
As the night went on, I heard from the other side of the room the booming voice of Miller, “Briggsy, get over here I’ve got a few stories about your old man I want to tell you.”
This bloke didn’t know me from a bar of soap but now we’re having a drink together like we were best mates with Miller sharing stories about my dad from those great years where I think they won the Sheffield Shield just about every year throughout the 1950s.
What a night it was, something I’ve cherished and never forgotten. I’d like to add that boarding the plane the next morning for Pakistan, I wasn’t in a good state if you know what I mean.
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Q: I play for a club where our home ground is quite close to the beach and the senior players talk about the influence the tide has on the pitch. Is it true?
A: It’s funny but it is quite commonly said. I played for and Captained the Gosford CC and our home ground was Grahame Park in Gosford which sat next to and overlooking the picturesque Brisbane Water andplenty would say the decision on the toss was whether the tide was in or not. Can’t say I went with that though
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Q: My most surreal moment in cricket
I was 19 and working my way through the grades and into 1st Grade at Northern District when returning from a tour to Pakistan with the Australian Under 19’s I was selected in the NSW Shield Squad to start training in the July. After playing against the likes of Salim Malik and Rameez Raja at stadiums in Karachi and Lahore of Pakistan and then a few months later to be included in the NSW Squad to start training with people like Doug Walters, Len Pascoe, Ian Davis, Peter Toohey and the like cricketers I’d watched on TV growing up and admired and now I’m rubbing shoulders with them it was something I’ll never forget.
A far cry from my junior cricket days a few years earlier as a skinny kid playing for Gosford on the Central Coast.
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Q: What is the most surreal moment you've experienced in cricket?
A: I was 19 & working my way through the grades & into 1st Grade at Northern District when returning from a tour to Pakistan with the Australian U/19’s I was selected in the NSW Shield Squad to start training in the July. After playing against the likes of Salim Malik & Rameez Raja at stadiums in Karachi & Lahore of Pakistan & then a few months later to be included in the NSW Squad to start training with people like Doug Walters, Len Pascoe, Ian Davis, Peter Toohey & the like cricketers I’d watched on TV growing up & admired & now I’m rubbing shoulders with them it was something I’ll never forget a far cry from my Junior Cricket days a few years earlier as a skinny kid playing for Gosford on the Central Coast.
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I was graded with Northern District as a 14 year old in the mid 70’s and went on to play First Grade with ND’s, Cap No. 275, then transferred to the Bankstown Club, Cap No. 151 followed then by ...
blog post
As a kid and young cricketer growing up I got to hear my dad share a lot of stories about his cricket career and he loved nothing more than sharing his tales of the great Keith Miller.You se ...
