Founded in 1907
The Adelaide University Cricket Club was founded in 1907 and entered the South Australian Cricket Association in the season 1908-09.The first A grade premiership came in 1925-26 but not again until 1992-93. This was backed up with another premiership in 1994-95 and again in 1997-98. The B grade won premierships wins in 1967-68, 1970-71 and 1983-84. University was named club champions in the season 1970-71 and then again in 2001/2002.
1920 to 1930
The cricket season of 1925-26 was a notable one for the Adelaide University Cricket Club. In that season, a triangular Intervarsity contest was held on the University Oval in Melbourne, the teams taking part being from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Sydney had beaten Melbourne in an earlier game and then Adelaide were successful against Sydney making Adelaide the premier University Cricket side in the country. This success in late 1925 was followed, early in 1926 by the Adelaide University Cricket Club winning the premiership of the district competition in Adelaide.
1926 Advertiser Reports "University's first A Grade Premiership"
The report on Wednesday announced the victory: "For the first time in their history, University have won the cricket premiership of South Australia. When play ceased on Monday evening University required 31 runs to win and they had three wickets in hand... every run was cheered, and four byes from Scott left University with 20 runs to get. Greatly to the disgust of Selth, he failed to take another ball, and two more byes were run. The crowd were now worked up to a great pitch of excitement. Then, amid uproar like that at a college match, there was a crack to the square leg boundary by Bayly and the match was won by three wickets. A crowd of enthusiastic University supporters invaded the field and immediately the runs were scored and seized Wagner and bore him off in triumph. Bayly evaded his pursuers. Sturt players freely offered their felicitations to the victors and in the University dressing rooms, the Sturt captain (V.Richardson) congratulated the premiers on their fine win".
1940 to 1949
[F.C.Bennett] - Cricket in the early 1940's was played in the shadow of events in Europe and South East Asia. University entered the forties with a hard core of experienced players led by John Stokes, Geoff Page and State batsman Jack Tregoning. As Japan moved southwards into Java and New Guinea, the district competition was abandoned altogether in the 1942-43 season and was restarted in 1944. University was fortunate to gain three young talents left hander Hugh Douglas, right hander Ben Goode and fast bowler Don Beard lead by Captain Coach Chester Bennett. By 1946 University took on a more mature look with Jack Tregoning and Norwood and State footballer Peter Dalwood with his specially made tall pads and super Jumbo bat which posed a threat to the rowers and ducks on the Torrens Lake.
1950 to 1959
The Grand Final which University should have won. Uni got Sturt out for about 290 and were 0 for 100 at stumps with John Wilkin who had kept wickets all day and a virtual night watchman Geoff Gubbins doing the job. The score the next week (no Sunday Cricket in those days) was pushed up to one for 200 and University still had their star batsmen State Players Ern England and Laurie Smart to come. They didn't make the necessary runs and tears almost come to John's eyes as he relates the story. Both John Wilkin and Laurie Smart I know will be present at the centenary dinner and I think those players are as note worthy as others mentioned. I believe in 1951 University also made the semifinals but then struggled until 1959-60, when they were in the semi finals three years running.
Medical student John Lill was the outstanding Varsity player in this decade. He won the A Grade aggregate for five years and represented the State on innumerable occasions. He is widely acknowledged as one of the finest players never to play test cricket. The A Grade started the 1950's as runners up they has moved up to fourth the following season. The wooden spoon reposed at Memorial Drive on four occasions.
1960 to 1969
The beginning of the sixties saw the Adelaide University Cricket Club as a very solid and traditional establishment managed by President Mr L.J.T Pellew. The A Grade was captained by "Shorty" Rogers and contained such notables as Bob Cameron and Brian Quigley. Bob Cameron was considered the best all-rounder in the state the same year David Sincock and John Sangster represented the State. Sincock was an outstanding acquisition for University. He came to us from Sacred Heart College at Somerton and went on to play for Australia. As we left the sixties, all was calm again, the flower people were respectable middle-aged businessmen and the club was about to enter into the Birchall decade.
1970 to 1979
1970 saw four district sides, and some of the most memorable characters like The Mayor, Boz, Jaws, Legal, Nages, Young, Rorro, Whimpey, the Mechanic, Pounds of Tuna, Clem, Wozza, the Judge, Dazzling Darren, Kanga, Ph.D, P.V.C and many more. This decade saw the initiation of the Kanga Awards, The play dirty cricketer of the year, the double-wicket competition and the Port Cup. The 1970's saw several premierships in 70-71 B Grade def. Kensington and C Grade def. Flinders. In 73-74 C Grade def. West Torrens and Uni Whites def. Prospect and in 79-80 C Grade def. Salisbury and Richard Smith lead Uni to Adelaide Turf victory. State caps were gained by Ahsley Woodcock, Peter Clements, Graham Winter and Bob O'Shannassy. Bradman Medals were worn by Rob O'Shannassy and Kevin Griffiths. A Grade Captains during the 70's included Ashley Woodcock, Phil Scanlon, Rob Brice, Michael David and Kevin Griffiths. Special mention must go to Tom and Dulcie Palmer for their unswerving devotion to the Club over two and a half decades. Dulcie's egg and lettuce sandwiches nourished many a player and Tom's score sheet was forever accurate. What a decade, what a bunch of personalities, what memories, 'really great decade that' (thanks Richie!).
1980 to 1989
The 1980's saw the club grow to five district and 3 turf sides. Premierships abounded for the first few years of this decade, with three of the clubs grand total of eight district flags coming home to roost. The new decade dawned with the intense and competitive schoolmaster David Jeanes sweeping his team to the C Grade premiership at Hawthorn Oval in March 1980 against Salisbury. The same year our team led by Kevin Griffiths, demolished the combined Oxford/Cambridge University XI. Intervarsity success continued with victories over Sydney and Tasmania although Melbourne still gave us a couple of hidings. The outstanding performances for the decade were by Robert O'Shannassy who took out his third Bradman Medal, Graham Winter (who played State cricket with success, including 7/63 against the powerful West Indies) and Gary Davis (who was runner-up in the Bradman Medal on a count-back). Off the field as well as on, the fun continued. Long may the Blacks prosper.
2006-2007
Season 2006/07 was another solid, if unspectacular year for the club, with the major highlights being individual rather than team achievements. The four SACA grade sides finished the season just out of contention for the finals, and of the 3 ATCA One Day sides, the LOAs again led the way, being the only side to contest a semi final.
A number of our players had outstanding individual seasons.
Andy Delmont made 563 A Grade runs at an average of 43.41 to win the club’s A Grade Batting Trophy. Andy also polled an impressive 32 votes in the SACA Fielding Trophy. Andy’s outstanding season was recognised with his selection in the Grade Team of the Year, and also with a state rookie contract.
Chris Slattery also had an outstanding A Grade season taking 37 wickets at an average of 19.73 to win the club’s A Grade Bowling Trophy. In a One Day game against East Torrens, Chris scored 102 with the bat, and then took 6 for 23 with the ball, including a hattrick – this effort was recognised with the club’s trophy for the Best Individual Performance. Chris also polled 18 Bradman Medal votes, 9 A Grade One Day Medal votes, and was a worthy recipient of the club’s Chester Bennet Memorial Cricketer of the Year trophy.
Stephen Dickinson took the helm of our SACA C Grade side this season, and in the process took 41 wickets at an average of 15.98 to win the club’s and the Association’s C Grade Bowling Trophy.
Another club evergreen, Tim Pellen, captaining the D Grade for the second season took an outstanding 53 wickets at 14.34 to claim the club’s and the Association’s D Grade bowling trophy.
The club has also seen some impressive performances by younger players, who will be important assets to the club in seasons to come. Michael Dawes was recognised as the Most Improved player, after progressing from D to A Grade. Harry Dobson was recognised for his hard work on the training track with the Attendance and Attention at Practice Trophy. Ryan Florence-Rieniets had a great introduction to the club, receiving the trophies for the Best First Year Player and the Best Performance in More Than One Grade.
The end of the season marked the end of the A Grade Career of one of the greats of the University Cricket Club: Nick Roberts. Nick started at the club in 1991/92, and has been virtually a permanent fixture in the A Grade side ever since. In that time he played around 150 A Grade games, capturing 377 wickets at the astonishing average of 20.78. On 16 occasions he took five wickets or more in an innings and on one occasion took ten wickets in a match. Nick was a key member of a golden age for the club when University won the SACA A Grade premiership in 1992/93, 1994/95 and again in 1997/98. Nick was named in the 2005/06 Grade Team of The Year.
One of Nick’s team mates wrote:
“Nick has been a “given” in the side since 1992 when he started playing with the team. Basically, Nick Roberts is all that the AUCC is supposed to be and everything it could be. He is Mr University”.
At the club’s annual dinner, a number of his past and present team mates paid tribute to Nick as a great University player and a great bloke liked by all who meet him. The Club wishes Nick all the very best for his future endeavours, which we hope includes being able to make a contribution as a player in our lower grades.
The club continues to make an important contribution to the game in Adelaide. Outside of Grade Cricket, the club continues to provide playing opportunities to a wide range of skill levels through three ATCA sides. The club continues to contribute to the diversity of participation in Grade Cricket. During the season the club was again represented by players from country South Australia, interstate, and overseas.
During the season the club’s grounds were host to a variety of game development activities including women’s cricket, Indigenous cricket and junior coaching clinics.
Feedback received by the club indicates that all involved greatly enjoyed the opportunity to play on the club’s grounds. The club wishes to recognise the terrific work done by the University Oval ground staff who have made these activities possible. We thank them for all their hard work, especially with the increasing challenges posed by weather conditions and water restrictions, for providing the best playing and practice facilities in grade cricket in Adelaide.
The club looks forward to being able to continue to contribute to the development of cricket in South Australia. As always we thank the staff of the Sports Association for their assistance throughout the season.
We also thank the other people who make significant off field contributions to our club: our scorers Andrew Bednikov, Miranda Brady, Val Dickinson and Alistair Pellen, and A Grade Team Manager Peter King.
We thank Tim Mableson, our Finance Coordinator for helping in securing significant sponsors’ support, so vital to the future of any club, and Mike Mooney who maintains our excellent website.
Special thanks go to our Club Administrator, Practice Manager and general ‘Mr Fix-it’ Phil Penn, who this year received Club Letters for his outstanding off field service to the club for over a decade.
Season 2007/08 will mark the club’s centenary. A sub-committee is currently working on a program of events to mark this historic occasion. The club encourages anyone who has previously had a connection with the club to make contact with us. We hope to make the coming season a great success off the field as well as on the field.
2007-2008
Season 2007/08 marked one hundred years of the AU Cricket Club, which was celebrated in great style.
At a team level, the season was again solid, with our SACA B Grade and D Grade sides ending up very unlucky not to contest the semi finals. Our SACA A Grade side contested the One Day competition semi final but were unable to progress to the final.
The club again had some outstanding individual performances. At one stage during the season, we had for the first time, four members of the state team: Nathan Adcock, Paul Rofe, Andy Delmont and Dan Christian. Andy Delmont again had an excellent individual season; as well as representing South Australia on several occasions, he won the A Grade batting trophy with 409 runs at 51.13, and was the club’s leading vote getter in the Bradman Medal. Andy was again named in the SACA Grade Team of the Year, and we look forward to him continuing to represent the club while also cementing his place in the state team.
Also in A Grade, Harry Byrnes Howe had a very good first year with the club, scoring his first A Grade half century, and being the club’s leading vote getter in the Talbot Smith Medal for A Grade fielding. Harry was named the club’s best first year player.
The B Grade narrowly missed the finals, but should contest them next season. Andrew Warner led the batting with 294 runs at 36.75 including 104 against Prospect. The captain, Stephen Dickinson was the team’s leading wicket taker with 28 wickets at 22.18. At the end of the season, Stephen, who has captained our B, C and D Grades over the past six seasons, including the club’s first D Grade Premiership, announced his retirement after 14 seasons playing for the club.
The C Grade had a tough season, but it is hoped that young players like Harry Dobson who led the bowling, and was also recognized for the best all round effort for the side, will go on to make an impression in coming seasons.
The Ds were again strong throughout the season, and after winning a number of close games, and only losing three games for the season, were very unlucky to miss the finals. Two young team members had outstanding individual seasons, and the club hopes that they will progress through the grades in future. Tom Warne led the batting with 401 runs at 57.29. His 212 not out against Port Adelaide won him the club’s trophy for the best individual effort. Jakob Roth led the team’s bowling, taking 22 wickets at just 6.59. Jakob took 8 wickets for 6 runs in an innings against Port Adelaide, including a hat trick. He also scored 153 runs at 21.86 to win the D Grade Allrounder trophy, and was a worthy recipient of the club’s Chester Bennett Trophy for best player of the season.
Notable performances in our ATCA Limited overs sides included Matt Rawes, who led the LOA batting with 434 runs at 48.22; he also hit 22 sixes to win the “Like ‘em There” trophy. Simon Del Fabbro led the LOC bowling with 14 wickets at 17.43.
The season was dominated by the celebrations for the club’s centenary. Early in the season, the A Grade had the privilege of playing (and winning) a One Day Game on Adelaide Oval under lights, against Glenelg, who also celebrated their centenary this season. But the major highlight of the season was the Centenary Dinner held in February. Over 400 people attended the event, held at the Adelaide Oval. Past players and supporters came from interstate and overseas to be part of the event. The club’s A Grade captains since WWII, most of whom were in attendance, were recognized, as were all of the club’s premiership captains. A number of speakers related tales of the club, from John Lill who played in the 1950s through to present day captain Nathan Adcock. A display of memorabilia showed the history of the club from the early 1900s to the present day. And a DVD was shown throughout the evening displaying over 300 photographs, depicting the club’s history. The club thanks Mark Lyons for his work producing this DVD.
The night’s success was due to the hard work of a dedicated organizing committee who contributed many hours behind the scenes. Among them were Tim Mableson, who compiled a database of over 1500 past and present players and supporters, which allowed us to contact so many people. Tim was recognized as our Grade Volunteer of the Year. And the organizing committee was driven by the enthusiasm and energy of former club secretary and Life Member, Greg Howe, who drove the project that resulted in such a memorable night.
A club such as ours cannot operate without a great deal of work and support off the field and behind the scenes. We thank our major sponsors Watson’s Lawyers, who will continue as major sponsors next season. We also thank other club sponsors Howe Martin Family Lawyers, Maxamine, Independent Produce Suppliers, Champs Sports Store, Ferrier Hodgson and the Kentish Arms Hotel.
We thank other off field contributors such as our scorers and managers: Andrew Bednikov, Peter King, Val Dickinson and John Smoker. We thank Phil Penn, our C Grade scorer, who this season notched 150 games as scorer as well as having looked after something like 500 sessions as practice captain. Mike Mooney continues to do a great job with our excellent club website.
At committee level we sadly have a couple of retirements. Peter Burrows, has retired as our Chairman. A former assistant coach and premiership captain, Peter is moving interstate for work; the club recognized his contribution with this season’s Service to the Club trophy, and wishes him well for the future.
And after ten years at the helm, our President Steve Apps has announced his retirement. In this time Steve has been a major contributor behind the scenes, taking on the important task of representing the club at the SACA. A regular sight at training and around the grounds on weekends, Steve will be missed, and again we wish him well.
The club has again worked on contributing to a number of areas of game development. This year, through the SACA’s Country Cricket initiative, we began to forge ties with the Barrier Cricket Association at Broken Hill. Their Under 14s received some intensive coaching from Ben Tippett and club coach Gary Hayes, prior to their carnival. The senior Barrier team had the opportunity to play one of their carnival games on University Oval.
We thank our grounds men who work so hard to make these games possible. Their hard work to provide the best training and playing facilities in Adelaide, in the face of heat waves and water restrictions is greatly appreciated. We also thank the support of the staff of the AU Sports Association for their ongoing assistance throughout the season.
The club has marked its centenary year with some great events and excellent individual performances. We now look forward to building towards future success at team level in the seasons to come. |