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last year



Neil Marks’s “hole-in the-heart” issues back in 1959, was big news in Australia.

That the new "young Bradman" from the previous season - after 7 innings for NSW he was averaging 98 - would be flying to the famed Mayo Clinic in America for an operation, drew a widespread, collective, outpouring of concern - including from me as a kid growing up in the (then) country town of Gosford.

So too did the news that the operation was a success, but that first class cricket for Neil, let alone playing for Australia, was out of the question.

The year before, In early December 1958 in Brisbane, a new-look Australian team was facing off against Ashes' holder England - and. cricket was dominating the air-waves. Australia had a new young captain in Richie Benaud and Australia’s newest sporting superstar Norm O’Neill was making his test debut.

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last year



The plastic green bowl sits on a ledge just inside the entrance to my mother’s home. Once, many years ago---indeed way back to my childhood---it was used for mixing salad, but nowadays, it holds nothing but golf balls that are in various stages of decay. They are dusty and scuffed, one is split, and another has evolved into a pimpled egg. Certainly not one of them is in good enough condition to grace a tee. However, it’s probable that is where they all spent their finer days before they surrendered to the same fate: plonked in a paddock to pass the seasons with the galvanised burr, prickly pears, and thistles.

My mum (who is closing in on Bradman's average) lives on a piece of dirt on the outskirts of the Australian country town, Gunnedah, in north west New South Wales. Its name comes from the local Indigenous Kamilaroi people. Translated, it is the ‘place of white stones’, a coincidence for an area in which Titlelists, Srixons, and Top Flites can be randomly found well away from the golf course.

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last year



At 71 years of age Grahame Davies from Tamworth in New South uttered 5 words to a Doctor in Sydney, “there goes my cricket career.”

The Doctor, replied “No you’ll be able to play.”

“Bullshit“ said Grahame.

The surgeon put Grahame onto a social worker who in turn introduced him to the President of the Amputee Society. The President was double amputee, a runner, who still ran.

The words from the Doctor and then meeting the President gave Grahame hope and a degree of confidence to create his own Mt Everest.

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last year



Cameron Lawes is this week’s Manly Rentals Waratah in History. A white line fever fast bowler, Cameron was a big part of our club in the late 90’s and early 2000’s until his move up to greener pastures in Newcastle.

The man affectionately known as “Lawson” (Cameron Lawson, pad up) bowled quick and batted strong, and if not for injury could have played a lot higher level cricket.

Cameron had a great passion for our club, and was one of the leaders who helped set the club on its way around the turn of the century.

Take a read through Cameron’s time at the club.

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last year



Born in Deniliquin NSW Simon O Donnell was a multi-talented athlete who ended a promising Australian rules football career to focus on his cricket. He played a major role in Australia s resurgence as a dominating side and was a member of their World Cup winning side in 1987.

12 interesting facts about the Australian all-rounder, who like Yuvraj Singh, battled cancer and made a strong comeback to the national side.

1. Born on Australia Day

January 26 is the Australia Day, which is the official national day of the country. The day is of utmost significance to Australians as it marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of British ships in New South Wales in 1788. O Donnell was born on this day, which was the 175th anniversary. Not a bad day to be born on, it s a national holiday.

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last year



Sutherland District Cricket Club team of the first 50 years

6 March 2015 at the Sutherland District Cricket Club 50th Anniversary dinner Sutherland DCC announced their “Team of the first 50 years.”

From left to right:
Mark Chapman, Steve Smith, Phil Jaques, Steve Rixon, Stuart Clark, Tony Clark, John Dyson, Lisa Griffith (Ted Cottons daughter), Kristen Davidson (Norm O'Neills daughter), Rodney Davison
Absent: Andrew Hilditch, Glenn McGrath

The Sutherland team in batting order announced:
1. John Dyson
2. Andrew Hilditch
3. Norm O’Neill
4. Phil Jaques
5. Steven Smith
6. Rod Davison
7. Steve Rixon – wicket keeper
8. Ted Cotton
9. Mark Chapman
10. Stuart Clark
11. Glenn McGrath
Tony Clark (12th man).

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last year



On Saturday 29 January 2022 Ben Carruthers played his final game for the Bears.

Ben has been an influential figure at the Ballina Bears for 20 years. He started as a junior and worked his way up to the top grade and hasn’t looked back since. He has scored 100’s, taken 5-fa’s, and taken two hat tricks during this time with us. Ben has been one of the most talented players to have ever played at our club.

Ben finished with 5,500 grade runs and 150 plus wickets. He played some match-winning innings one, and took some of the most incredible catches you’ll se.

As a parting gift, Ben was awarded his Life Membership at the Bears for all the work he has done throughout his time. He will also walk away at the leading run scorer in Bears history.

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last year



An epic final - St George v Cumberland at Sydney Cricket Ground 1965-66

Doug Walters aged 19 will play his last game for two years – his birthdate has meant conscription into the Army on National Service – and no amount of lobbying will get the new superstar of world cricket out of it.

He is in cracking form. He’s had a season every cricketer dreams about. It’s not just his two debut test centuries – he’s rung up another four for NSW – plus two in Sydney Grade – including one against St George where Cumberland had by far the best of drawn one-dayer.

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last year



John Dunk is a well-known and highly respected member of the cricket and business community across the regional and rural communities of New South Wales.

He’s a farmer, Insurance broker and continues to have a lifelong love of cricket. He’s travelled to just about every corner of NSW to play the game and played grade cricket in Sydney for Western Suburbs.

John made his debut for Western Suburbs in 4th grade during the 1969-70 season. It didn’t take long for John to impress when he took 8 for 44 in a game and for the two seasons 1969-70 and 1970-71 John played at Wests he played in 4th grade, 3rd Grade, and 2nd grade. He scored 349 runs and took 57 wickets at an incredible average of 10.09.

John opened the bowling in the Poidevin Gray Under 21 competition with Western Suburbs first grade opening bowler Gary Gilmour who went on to play first class cricket for NSW and Test Cricket for Australia.

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last year



“It is better to remain silent and appear a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Wise words from Sir Winston Churchill and advice I probably should have given to my Mosman team mate Nick Grover.

Sledging comes in many formats, from abusive over the top vulgar tirades to subtle creative thought provoking strategies. Whatever the flavour, when you open your mouth on the sporting field you need to be able to back it up. In saying that, it is the stories of sledging that gave me the greatest humour on the cricket field.

I first met Nick Grover when I made the trip down the M4 from Campbelltown Cricket Club to the Mosman Cricket Club. Nick was this brash private school kid with a panache to ‘knuckle' at every chance

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last year



I have been involved with a number of professional cricket teams as a coach, assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach. It's been a pleasure to work with many great players and I've taken up the challenge to pick the best team from the players I've worked with.

The following team was selected from players I have worked with professionally at Sri Lanka (Strength & Conditioner), Royal Bengal Tigers (Indian Cricket League, Strength & Conditioner/Assistant Coach), Sydney Thunder (Head Coach), Naganehira Nagas (Sri Lankan Premier League, Head Coach)

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last year



Preseason training was usually not memorable, but in August 1980, it was photographed by the local paper. Perhaps the Rugby League Panthers were training at the park next door. During this time, Gary “Kid” Donlan was a local celebrity, appearing each week on local radio. The club was also expecting former test players, Ian Davis and Kerry O’Keeffe to play in the upcoming season (A History of Cricket at Penrith, Bill Ball, 2014).

A lap around Howell. Frome left Greg Jamieson, Stu Green (obscured), Graham Pitty, (Unknown), Steve Small, Peter Savage (RIP), Ron Halse, Mike Gibson (the only Panther cricketer to play for the Socceroos’), Ken Hall, Gary Donlan (RIP), Les Andrews and Steve Frances.

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last year



St George DCC First Grade Player No.48 Albert "Mick" Scanes

Mick Scanes was born on the 6th of August 1900 in Erskineville and died on the 1st of November, 1969.

He played 10 First Class games for NSW between 1921-22 and 1927-28 scoring 434 runs at 25.52 with a highest score of 94.

Originally representing Petersham he started playing for St George after marrying and moving to Arncliffe in 1926. For St George he scored 2026 runs at 27.0 with 4 Centuries.

He was also considered a fine outfielder who had the honour of playing some of his cricket alongside Sir Donald Bradman (Saints player No.49) and on occasion was recorded as outscoring Bradman in some thrilling partnerships.

Outside of cricket Scanes worked as a pastry chef / cake decorator.

Do you have further information on this cricketer?

As we celebrate our Centenary of 1st Grade cricket we would dearly love to hear from former players and their relatives to record and share more about their interesting careers on or even off the field.

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