Sutherland win first Poidevin-Gray Shield premiership in 1987-88

Sutherland District Cricket Club | June 25, 2025

Back row: Julia Coote (Scorer), Murray Graham, Nick Howard, Darrell Mann, Duncan Coots, Ben Connell, Richard Bennison, Trent Harvey, Tom Iceton (Manager).

Front row: Jonathan Clark, Rodney Davison, Greg Horner, Phil Weatherall (Captain), Tony Clark, Greg Davison.

[Extract from 1987-88 annual report]

After the preliminary rounds, we were not only top of our division, but also in number one position of the semi-finalists by virtue of having the highest quotient of the three divisional winners who had won their four matches. Thus, when it rained on semi-final day, we advanced to the final.

So we journeyed to Mosman for the final on the Sunday of the Bicentennial Test Match, to play Western Suburbs. Despite the extremely hot weather on the Saturday and no overnight rain, we were sent in to bat on a strangely damp pitch. Coots ran himself out in an unfortunate mix-up in the first over, Weatherall (16) looked set before playing around a straight one and losing a stump and Davison (5) was stranded by a hot straight drive from Tony Clark that was deflected onto the stumps by the bowler – we were in trouble at 3/34.

Enter Greg Horner who to date had not had a great impact on the competition. With Clark going well at the other end, they took the score to 85 before another silly run out saw Clark (39) on his way. Jon Clark took his place and he and Horner began to wrest the initiative back from Wests with sound shot-making and excellent running between wickets. When Clark (27) was out at 143, Horner was really batting superbly. He added useful runs with Harvey (7) and Bennison (18) before he was finally last man out at 207 for a fine 75. Mann and Connell then scored 21 from the last two over to see us finish at 9/228 from our 60 overs.

The Wests danger man Hookey looked ominous before he failed to get on top of a drive against Connell and was well caught at cover by Davison – 1/36. After the next pair started to look set, Weatherall claimed two quick wickets and then excellent fielding saw the other opener run out and Wests were 4/76. Another great run out saw them 5/92, but their captain, Ryan, started to take some risks and took the score along to 142; more importantly, they were getting ahead of our run rate. During this time, the light was deteriorating and it looked like rain was not far away. A light offer was refused by Wests before the 30-over mark as they continued to keep ahead of the run rate. Then came the crucial decision from skipper Weatherall to bring back Howard, who hadn’t bowled well earlier, and introduce Mann – a master-stroke. Mann quickly removed Ryan and the other batsman who had added 50 for the sixth wicket and in half an hour, it was all over – Wests all out for 183 and Sutherland were premiers. If they had been handing out a gold goblet, it surely would have gone to Greg Horner.

Rod Davison was the leading run-scorer in the whole competition, playing some great knocks. He should continue to dominate this competition for the two years he has left. Tony Clark, Greg Horner, Jonathan Clark, Trent Harvey and Richard Bennison all made useful contributions with the bat at various times. Ben Connell and Tony Clark proved to be an effective opening bowling combination, generally ensuring an early breakthrough. Nick Howard produced some mesmerising spells with his left-arm spinners, while Darrell Mann was the perfect foil with his leg-spinners. Both were useful lower order hitters. Other players involved in the squad were Duncan Coots, Murray Graham and Greg Davison. As is often the case in a short competition, their opportunities were restricted. However, all should be an important part of future P-G squads.

The one player not mentioned in the previous paragraph is the captain, Phillip Weatherall. This was his first experience of captaincy and didn’t he take to it. He always appeared to be in control of the situation, invariably selecting the right options, and achieved a fine balance between exerting his authority and remaining “one of the boys”. His batting highlighted his growing maturity as he finished the second-highest scorer in the whole competition and his bowling was always dangerous. Having been part of recent teams that should have done better, he was determined to ensure we went all the way and directed proceedings accordingly. Our success was a fitting reward for his efforts.

The team’s fielding was always of a very high standard. Bennison’s keeping, the close catching and the outfielding were all superb, exemplified by the effort at Mosman Oval. There were no exceptions from these comments. 

BeaconPoint Club Clips - Phil Jaques on Batting: Mindset, Method and Making Runs