Stories

Belmont District Cricket Club

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The passing of Vic Cristofani on Saturday 11 January brings to a close an 88 year association of the Cristofani family with St George DCC. Vic Cristofani with both St George and Sydney University, and 11 January was day 1 of their 1st grade fixture at Hurstville Oval.

A leg spin bowler and middle order batsman, Vic captained the Green Shield in 1946/47, also playing Poldevin Gray that season. While studying at Sydney University throughout the late 1940s he continued his cricket there, before returning to St George in 1952/53 with his brother Bob to win the first grade Premiership.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/2736/vale-vic-cristofani-first-grade-player-no167

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Newcastle, Australia

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Belmont District Cricket Club President's Report and 1st Grade Report 88/89

The season of 88/89 was one of relative Indifference for the Belmont Ist grade, side. The failure of the side to reach the semi finals for the first time in a number of years was a great disappointment to both the team and myself. However, is necessary for the side not to become too disappointed at the results and to treat the year as a learning experience for those Involved. As long as something Is learned during a season, even If the results are disappointing, then improvement will follow.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1608/belmont-district-cricket-club/blog/2734/belmont-district-cricket-club-presidents-report-and-1st-grade-report-8889

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Penrith Cricket Club

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Adam Bayliss is the proud owner of Penrith Cricket Club first grade player number 222.

Adam’s father Trevor Bayliss is Penrith’s first grade player number 64.

I began playing cricket when I was 7 or 8 for Penrith RSL. After a year or two I moved to Glenmore Park to play the rest of my juniors with a bunch of mates.

Now I play for Penrith CC. I started at Penrith in Green Shield and have played all the way to First Grade. Wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/330/penrith-cricket-club/blog/2733/adam-bayliss-penrith-cricket-club-first-grade-player-number-222

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Steve Frances

Brisbane, Australia

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Sydney Grade Cricket 10 January 1975 - 17 January 1975. Nepean v Sutherland

As you can see Nepean were routed by the late Merv Black, who took 7-29 at Howell Oval. Only John Benaud spent time in the centre, scoring 93. Sutherland set up the game to seek outright points, but they ran out of time to bowl out the Panthers

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/2731/sydney-grade-cricket-10-january-1975-17-january-1975-nepean-v-sutherland

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Steve Frances

Brisbane, Australia

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The last round before Christmas 1974 was held after overnight rain. The one fay fixture between Sydney and Nepean (now Penrith) was held on a muddy Rushcutters Bay Oval. The Panthers were sent in and scored a meagre 109. Sydney’s Rick McCosker, who had scored 4 first class centuries in his last 4 games for NSW, scored a steady 50 not out.

After the game Rick was advised that he was selected to play his first test the following weekend. Rick (Australia Test player no. 272), who was born at Inverell, shared a celebratory lemon squash with several Panthers keen to have a few beers before the return drive to the West.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/2730/sydney-grade-cricket-50-years-ago-1974-75

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Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

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Craig Glassock joined the Manly Warringah District Cricket Club as a local junior in 1988 as a very promising wicket keeper batsman. He is Manly Warringah player number 1099.

It didn’t take long before Craig's talent and performances saw him move up the grades and he made his first grade debut at the age of 17 in 1991.

Playing for Manly Craig scored 5,428 runs at an average of 31.20 including 6 centuries and 26 half centuries. On the 2nd November 1994 Craig made his first class debut for NSW against Victoria at the MCG.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/1929/craig-glassock-pressure-exists-in-the-mind

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Rodney Stafford will never forget his first over in 1st Grade for Randwick Petersham. It was season 2003-04 and the 23-year-old right-arm leg-spinner was called into the attack to bowl against one of Australia’s greatest batsmen, Mark Waugh, who was in full flight. And while Waugh went on to a century for his club Bankstown at Bankstown Oval that day, the occasion will also be remembered as the launching of Rod Stafford as one of the club’s best performed all-rounders.

Being tested by Waugh didn’t dampen his confidence and just three games later, Rodney was the toast of the team, setting up a great win with 6-85 against UTS Balmain.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/2729/rodney-stafford

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Shane Lee

Founder

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

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With perspiration pouring from his forehead and a shirt lathered in deodorant and sweat, he walks off the ground, bat in hand and with a face more tanned than Julio Iglesias. One would expect a man with clothes this wet to have just scored 150 in Madras in 40-degree heat. But no, its pre-season at NSW cricket, mid-winter and the man is Steve Stumpa Rixon, the COACH.
Stumpa is the only person I have ever met that could sweat in the shower. A product of his commitment to practice as both a player and a coach. In my opinion, the greatest coach I ever played under. Direct, focused, well planned and a panache for finding key moments in any match and rallying the troops to execute on said opportunity.
I will never forget the day he pulled me aside as a senior player and asked me to room with Rodney ‘Horse’ Davidson’. Horse was a talented left-hander with interesting social skills. Stumpa thought I could bring the best out of him and the team would be rewarded as Horse continued to pile on the runs. The combination had immediate success as he started to make runs consistently, the only issue being is I found my new roommate using my toothbrush one morning. “For .... sake Horse, that’s my toothbrush.” “Sorry mate, I forgot mine,” Horse said.
“Stumpa, I can’t do this mate,” Stumpa replied with his typical laugh followed by a deadpan response. “I'll buy you a new one, we need his runs!”
That evening we had a team dinner. Rodney ‘Horse’ Davidson settled right next to Stumpa at the head of the table with a smile from ear to ear and his clean fangs shining. Those who have dined with Stumpa know he will not start his meal until everyone has received theirs. I have seen him wait for half an hour on one occasion. Even when asked to start by others, he will refuse. As Murphy’s law would suggest, Stumpa’s meal arrived that night before the rest of the team. He sat patiently and only occasionally looking down lovingly at his 400g ribeye on the bone, chips and pepper sauce. To my amazement, my little left-hander ‘Protege of Etiquette’ Rodney started to steal a few chips from Stumpa's plate while waiting for his meal to arrive.
After the third chip was about to be removed, Stumpa picked up his fork and stabbed our opening bat in the back of his hand. “Ouch,” Horse screamed as his hand quickly moved off Stumpa’s plate. “Don’t touch my food” our coach said with sweat starting to bead on his furrowed brow.
Come on Stumpa I’ll buy you some new chips. We need his runs!

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It was a sad day for Randwick cricketers and cricket in general on 7 March 1991 when Tim Towers, one of the club’s top performers during the 1970s and early 80s, passed away. He was just 36. A great fighter on the cricket field he was no match for the dreaded cancer and diabetes which he had battled for some years.

Timothy Brendan Towers was born on 18 February 1955 at Paddington Women’s Hospital. He was the youngest son and fourth child of former Australian rugby great Cyril Towers. He joined Randwick Cricket Club as a Green Shield boy in the summer of 1970-71. A lively fast-medium bowler and useful lower order batsman, Tim quickly established himself as a player of the future, making his Grade Cricket debut in 4th Grade that same season.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/2727/tim-towers-1955-91

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Gordon District Cricket Club

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The 2006/07 season was one of promise for a number of grades, but ultimately we were not able to come away with any Premierships. This is despite great efforts from 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade.

3rd Grade probably played the game of the year in their Quarter Final victory over Wests. Warren Evans was the star who, although well known for his bowling, was also an accomplished batter who hit many important innings. This one was a beauty.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/2715/evans-and-edgell-partnership-in-3rd-grade-qtr-final-thriller

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There was considerable discussion at Committee meetings after the War ‘to bring Chatswood Oval into line with other sporting grounds in the city and suburbs.’ Much was achieved in the next five years. In May 1919, a tender of £20 was accepted for the installation of a ‘practice wickets area’ to measure 60 feet by 40 feet (18.3 metres by 12.2 metres) at the northern end of the Oval. It no longer exists but for many decades the Club used these pitches at the beginning of the season and moved to those at the southern end after Christmas.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/297/gordon-district-cricket-club/blog/2726/improvements-at-chatswood-oval

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Belmont District Cricket Club

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Welcome to the 1st Howzat Building Waratahs in History for 2025. The Q & A is with Michael “Stix/Ozzy” Osbourne.

Michael was a local junior who played 7 seasons across 10 years for the Tahs from 1990/1991 to 2000/2001. Michael started his career with the Tahs in 5th Grade and has a 49 not out and several 5-wicket hauls to his name. He took 102 wickets for the club. Michael is the Uncle of current player Julian Osbourne.

Michael returned to the club 3 years ago as a Sponsor and now is part of the Partnership team in his role as the “Blue Blood Club” Manager. I hope you enjoy reading about Michael’s history with the club.

https://manlycricket.com/waratahs-in-history-michael-osbourne
/

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Newcastle, Australia

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Jamie Heath, the President of Belmont District Cricket Club, is a former first-class fast bowler with an impressive cricketing journey.

Jamie represented New South Wales in six first-class matches, claiming 13 wickets with best figures of 3 for 37.

Before making the move to Sydney to play NSW Premier Cricket for Manly Warringah District Cricket Club, Jamie began his career with Belmont in the Newcastle Grade competition.

From 1996 to 2004, Jamie made a significant impact at Manly, taking 300 first-grade wickets at an outstanding average of 18.67, including 10 five-wicket hauls in NSW Premier Cricket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1608/belmont-district-cricket-club/blog/2725/jamie-heath-enjoyed-being-the-strike-bowler

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Sutherland District Cricket Club

Sylvania, Australia

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Steve Smith started the Test on 9962 Test runs, building anticipation of him scoring another 38 runs to become the 15th player to reach 10000 Test runs. When he was dismissed for 33 in the first innings, he was left on 9995 runs, becoming the 4th player to be dismissed in the 9990s. When he was agonisingly out for 4 in the second innings, he became the 2nd player to be dismissed twice in the 9990s and the 2nd player to be left stranded on 9999 career runs!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/294/sutherland-district-cricket-club/blog/2724/australia-vs-india-5th-test-review

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Belmont District Cricket Club

Newcastle, Australia

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Belmont District Cricket Club Presidents Report and First Grade Report 1987-1988

There are times when administrators of cricket clubs feel every one of "Murphy's Laws" are working in unison against them to bring down all the plans and good intentions of a winter's pre-planning.

This past season was one such time, not only did the weather thwart numerous attempts to get onto the paddock, it also put paid to the First Grade's aspirations in the Semis once again

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1608/belmont-district-cricket-club/blog/2723/belmont-district-cricket-club-presidents-report-and-first-grade-report-1987-1988

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Sydney Cricket Club

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Michael Ho is one of the most outstanding young coaches in Premier Cricket. His work with Sydney Cricket Club Senior Women's teams is outstanding

We believe Michael is destined for higher coaching honours and he’s widely respected by all in NSW Premier Cricket.

Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game so far.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/375/sydney-cricket-club/blog/2722/michael-ho-find-a-way-to-help-my-side

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Gordon District Cricket Club

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Keith Miller named skipper of Manly 130 year team

Our 100 Year book masterpiece put together a couple of best teams of our first 100 years, but it was not until our 130 year dinner in 2007/08 that our greatest team was formally named.

Keith Miller was a clear option for Captain, and he was named as such despite the large number of leaders in the side.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/2716/keith-miller-named-skipper-of-manly-130-year-team

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Congratulations to long-time Stag and Former Sheffield Shield winning skipper Phil Emery, who was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame at a luncheon on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s Pink Test at the SCG, along with Brett Lee. Emery became the 53rd inductee into the prestigious Hall of Fame that includes the likes of Don Bradman, Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Belinda Clark, Lisa Keightley and fellow Stag Victor Trumper. Phil was previously honoured for his services to cricket in NSW in 2002 when he was made a Life Member of the NSWCA.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/297/gordon-district-cricket-club/blog/2720/phil-emery-cricket-nsw-hall-of-fame

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St George Cricket Club

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The 28th of December marked 84 years since Arthur Morris became the first of only three players to score a century in both innings of a first club debut. Playing for New South Wales against Queensland, Morris scored 148 in the first innings and followed it up with 111 in the 2nd innings.

He then became the tenth player in Test history to achieve the same milestone in a test match. Playing at the Adelaide Oval against England in 1947 Arthur Morris scored 122 in the first innings and followed it up with 124* in the 2nd innings.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/2719/arthur-morris-a-man-for-doubles

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