Sutherland win consecutive Poidevin-Gray Shield premierships in 1988-89

Sutherland District Cricket Club | June 30, 2025

Back row: Julia Coote (Scorer), Darren Holley, Craig Parsons, Nick Howard, Darrell Mann, Derek Spencer, Nigel Brookes, Trent Woodhill, Tom Iceton (Manager).

Front row: Jonathan Clark, Trent Harvey, Rodney Davison, Tony Clark (Captain), Greg Davison, Mathew Duff.

[Extract from 1988-89 annual report]

Last year, I finished my report with the words “I am looking forward to another highly competitive side, one that will defend the Shield with the utmost pride and determination and no small amount of ability to repeat this year’s success.” It’s nice to be able to reflect one year later and see that what must always be a bold prediction at the end of a competition has turned out to be deadly accurate. This was at least as good as last year’s side. A strong batting line-up (Parsons, a century-maker in grade this year, batting at 10), a devastating bowling attack and, without a doubt, one of the best groups of fieldsmen Sutherland has ever put on the field.

As defending premiers, we hosted Randwick in the final at Caringbah. Inevitably, the match was rain-delayed, eventually being reduced to 50 overs. Rod Davison and Holley batted well in our modest total of 152. Brookes then started the Randwick innings in sensational fashion. He had the opener caught at short leg with the first ball, the number three batter was caught behind off the third ball and the number four was dropped at third slip – 2/0 and could have been 3/0! Randwick were never allowed to recover, as the side lifted its fielding to the heights of the Wests match. Randwick were eventually dismissed for 94 and we had retained the Shield.

Rod Davison was once again the leading run-scorer. He had a steady series, throwing away a century right on lunch at Bankstown and dominating the batting in the last two matches. He is poised to become the Club’s most prolific player in this competition. Trent Harvey and Darren Holley both played a couple of classic innings, their partnership against Waverley a delight to watch. These three will be the backbone of our batting as we strive for a hat-trick in 89-90.

Tony Clark played a couple of good innings, but is still inclined to let himself down by taking the wrong options at times. With proper concentration, he could do anything with the bat. Jon Clark and Mathew Duff didn’t bat to their ability, each playing only one innings of real consequence. Duff will be back next year and should atone for this year’s disappointing form. Greg Davison didn’t receive any chances to build an innings, but on the strength of his end of season form with the bat, this will change next year – he will be an important part of the batting.

On the bowling front, the spin twins, Nick Howard and Darrell Mann, took everything before them. Both smashed the previous Club record for this competition (19 wickets) as they proved too good for every other side [Howard 28 wkts @ 12.6, Mann 24 wkt @ 12.9]. Nigel Brookes bowled well with the new ball, particularly against Balmain and in the final. Both Howard and Brookes finish with fine records in this competition. Tony Clark proved a steady foil for the other three strike bowlers, bowling at less than two runs per over and picking up important wickets. Craig Parsons also bowled steadily without luck with the new ball and will definitely achieve better results next year.

The fielding of this side was always superb. There were no weak links – it was a case of being excellent or just very good. Consistently brilliant were Jon Clark, Rod Davison, Tony Clark, Harvey, Duff and Howard. Rod Davison and Tony Clark equalled the catching record for PG’s. Behind the stumps, Greg Davison controlled the show with aplomb. He, too, set a new record for the Club as he ensured the fielding didn’t slacken [11 catches & 11 stumpings]. By the time he finishes in this competition, he will have an enviable record.

Tony Clark captained the side well and can feel proud of a premiership after being unlucky as Green Shield captain. He needs to be careful, however, to ensure he doesn’t try to do too much himself – when the team is full of good players, this is unnecessary.

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