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Go to: Premierships, District Award Winners

A Brief History Of Narara Wyoming Cricket Club

   

One of the oldest clubs on the Central Coast, the Narara Cricket Club is believed to have been first formed around 1880. No records of their matches from this time have survived and the club disbanded sometime in the mid or late 1890s. The present club was formed in February 1898 and, with the exception of one season during each of the two World Wars, has competed continuously ever since.

In its early years the Narara team was made up almost entirely of members of the pioneering Gavenlock family. Two of them, cousins Jack and Chris (or Kick) Gavenlock, were outstanding cricketers both capable, according to contemporary sources, of playing first class cricket had they chosen to join Sydney clubs.

Another great cricketer of that era, the legendary Paddy Clifton, joined Narara in 1901, married into the Gavenlock family, and captained the team from about 1906 until 1921. The Gavenlock influence at the Narara Cricket Club has continued now for almost 100 years. Indeed, at least one member of the family has played for the club every season from 1898/99 to 1994/95. At least nine Gavenlock descendants (Arthur, Vern and Wal Clifton, Barry and John Olsen, Alan and Peter Davidson, and Mick Birt) play first grade cricket in Sydney, whilst Alan Davidson went on to become one of Australia's greatest all-rounders. With the exception of Vern Clifton and Alan Davidson, all, at some time, played for Narara.

Prior to the 1912/13 season cricket on the Central Coast was organised on an informal basis with clubs arranging matches between each other from week to week. In a search for more serious competition Narara applied for entry, firstly into the Sydney grade competition and, when they were rejected, into the Newcastle District competition. They were eventually accepted into the latter for the 1911/12 season, but only on the condition that they play all their matches in Newcastle. This they did, and with a team strengthened by several players from other local clubs, won the competition at their first attempt, defeating Wickham in the Final. The star of the match was ex-Jilliby player, Arthur Brown, who scored 243 not out, still the highest individual score in the history of the Newcastle District Cricket Association.

Although Narara returned to defend its title the following season the constant travelling took its toll and a decline in playing strength left the team far less competitive.

That same season (1912/13) also saw the formation of the Wyong District Cricket Association (WDCA). Narara joined the competition in 1913/14 and remained there until 1920/21, reaching the Final several times, only to be beaten on each occasion by the powerful Yarramalong XI.

In 1920 the Gosford District Cricket Association (GDCA) was formed and the following season (1921/22) Narara transferred into that competition. Despite the loss of Paddy Clifton to the newly-formed Lisarow club, Narara grew in strength during the 1920s, winning their first premiership (Second Grade) in 1922/23. By the mid-1920s they had sufficient quality players to field two First Grade teams, known as Narara 'A' and Narara 'B'. In 1926/27, upset at being considered the No 2 team, members of the 'B' team formed a breakaway club which for several seasons competed as Wyoming. On at least one occasion they finished ahead of the 'A' team.

1926/27 also saw the record books re-written when, against Lisarow at Victoria Park, the Narara First Grade team scored 5 for 506 declared, with Jack Gavenlock, who opened the batting, remaining not out on 255. It was the highest individual score in the district at that time (since passed only once - Doug Fagan's 262 not out in 1939) and remains the highest score by a Narara player. As well as being a fine cricketer, Jack Gavenlock was also an outstanding administrator, being secretary of both the Narara club and the GDCA for more than 20 years.

In the early 1930s Arthur Clifton, the oldest of Paddy Clifton's four sons, re-joined Narara, having played for the club as a boy before following his father to Lisarow. There he became the only player to perform the amazing double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in a season. He came to Narara after several seasons with Northen Districts in the Sydney First Grade Competition.

When the GDCA competition resumed after the Second World War, Narara's playing strength was severely depleted and during the 1950s they generally were unable to field a first grade team, although they were able to win several lower grade premierships.

Another Gavenlock descendant, Ron Olsen, whose playing career spanned four decades (from 1932 to 1965), was the club's leading spin bowler during this era. As secretary he was one of the driving forces behind the construction, in 1958/59, of the club's new turf wicket at what is now Alan Davidson Park. Only the second turf wicket in the district at that time it was laid almost entirely by volunteer labour, and was an important factor in Narara's eventual re-emergence as a cricket force.

That re-emergence came in the 1964/65 season when the club was reinforced by the arrival of a number of quality cricketers. Fifty three years after Paddy Clifton had led Narara to the 1911/12 Newcastle premiership his grandson, Peter Davidson, captained the team to a win against The Entrance in a low-scoring final at Grahame Park. Davidson, a former Sydney first grade player, led from the front scoring 913 runs at an average of 48.0.

For the remainder of the 1960s and throughout the 70s Narara dominated the local competition, winning ten first grade premierships in 15 seasons. The blend of the good young players such as Barry Olsen, John Olsen and Ted Albury who had developed under the coaching of Ron Olsen, and experienced players such as Peter and John Davidson, Dave Smallman, Wally Clifton and Mick Birt formed a team which was close to unbeatable. Importantly for the club, as these great players gradually retired or dropped down the grade they played an integral part in the development of their successors. Players like Geoff and Greg Smith, Greg Davidson, John Liddle and Glenn Rowlands learnt their cricket in teams coached and captained by these outstanding cricketers.

From the early 1980s although the Narara first grade team remained competitive the former dominance had gone. The 1984/85 title, won under the captaincy of Greg Smith, was to be Narara's last until the present day although the club continued to win lower grade premierships.

While other clubs imported former Sydney players to bolster their teams Narara continued to develop and provide opportunities to its juniors. Players like Troy Marchant, Ashley Shoobridge, Andrew Sainsbury and Aaron O'Brien all played first grade by their mid-teens. Marchant, Shoobridge and O’Brien all won selection in NSW Under 17 teams, with Shoobridge and O’Brien also making the Australian U/17 team, and O’Brien representing Australia in the 1999 Youth (U/19) World Cup in Sri Lanka.

An indication of the club’s success as a nursery of high quality cricketers was indicated, when in the latter half of the 1999/2000 season, four former Narara players were playing in Sydney first grade teams: Shoobridge for North Sydney, Sainsbury, O’Brien and Steven Coombes all with Northern District.

The outstanding individual achievement by a player from the Narara-Wyoming Cricket Club came early in the 1998/99 season when Andrew Sainsbury was selected in the NSW Sheffield Shield team which played Queensland at Manuka Oval, Canberra in late October 1998. Batting at number four he went to the wicket with the score at 2-2 and top scored with 72 from a NSW total of just 159. In the second innings he was run out for 18 and retained his place for the next three matches but failed to make any score of note. Although he has consistently scored heavily for Northern District and has remained in the NSW squad until the present time he has not been recalled.

Jack Gavenlock

Jack Gavenlock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Davidson

Peter Davidson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Sainsbury

Andrew Sainsbury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron O'Brien

Aaron O'Brien

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Premierships

     
1st Grade (* Premier League) - 17 2nd Grade (* 1st Division) - 15 3rd Grade (* 2nd Division) - 11
Year - Captain Year - Captain Year - Captain
2012/13 - Andy Ryan* 2008/09 - Shaun Wilson 2005/06 - Daniel Wallace
2011/12 - Andy Ryan* 2001/02 - Garry Heggie 2002/03 - Peter Paterson
2008/09 - Andy Ryan 1991/92 - Garry Heggie 2001/02 - James Figallo
2001/02 - Paul Moriarty 1989/90 - Alan Sharp 1989/90 - John Barclay
1984/85 - Greg Smith 1986/87 - Peter Makeham 1988/89 - John Barclay
1978/79 - Peter Davidson 1985/86 - Peter Makeham 1982/83 - Gordon Dorrough
1977/78 - Allan Frazer 1982/83 - Ned Inwood 1981/82 - Gordon Dorrough
1976/77 - Wal Clifton 1976/77 - John Davidson 1979/80 - Barry Howard
1974/75 - Peter Davidson 1974/75 - Gordon Dorrough 1975/76 - Barry Howard
1972/73 - John Davidson 1969/70 - Allan Parsons 1974/75 - Barry Howard
1971/72 - John Davidson 1959/60 - Ron Olsen 1960/61 - Sam Pateman
1969/70 - Peter Davidson 1956/57 - Joe Fernance  
1968/69 - Peter Davidson 1953/54  
1965/66 - Peter Davidson 1930/31  
1964/65 - Peter Davidson 1923/24 - Carl Teesson  
1911/12 - Paddy Clifton    
1906/07 - Paddy Clifton    
     
4th Grade (* 3rd Division) - 8 5th Grade (* 4th Division) - 5 6th Grade (* 5th Division) - 5
Year - Captain Year - Captain Year - Captain
2001/02- Jason Fisher 2008/09 - Craig Walker 2002/03 - Garry Montgomery
1990/91 - Bob Crawford 2002/03 - Brian Ward 1998/99 - John Moriarty
1985/86 - Barry Howard 1995/96 - Martin Dorrough 1997/98 - John Moriarty
1980/81 - Kevin Watson 1993/94 - Garry Montgomery 1989/90 - John Moriarty
1979/80 - Kevin Watson 1983/84 - John Moriarty 1988/89 - John Moriarty
1978/79 - Kevin Watson    
1976/77 - Kevin Watson    
1974/75 - Kevin Watson    
     
ODLO Suburban Grade 1    
Year - Captain    
2012/13 - Andrew Friend/Al Locke    
     
Club Championship (18)
Season - President
2011/12 - Peter Ness 1990/91 - John G Moriarty 1976/77 - Allan Parsons
2001/02 - Robert Cross 1989/90 - John G Moriarty 1975/76 - Allan Parsons
2000/01 - Craig Walsh 1985/86 - Dave Smallman 1974/75 - Allan Parsons
1993/94 - John G Moriarty 1982/83 - Ken Gardiner 1971/72 - Peter Davidson
1992/93 - John G Moriarty 1979/80 - Ken Gardiner 1970/71 - Peter Davidson
1991/92 - John G Moriarty 1978/79 - Ken Gardiner 1969/70 - Peter Davidson

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District Award Winners

         
Season Grade Recipient Award Agg/Ave/Cts
1906/07 1st Harry Wamsley Runs Aggregate 615
  1st Harry Wamsley Bowling  7.17
1911/12 1st Arthur H. Brown Runs Aggregate  400+
  1st Arthur H. Brown Wickets Aggregate  50+
1914/15 1st AO "Paddy" Clifton Batting  63.9
  1st Jack Gavenlock Runs Aggregate  813
1923/24 2nd T Johnson Catches  22
1930/31 2nd A Neil Bowling  7.24
1931/32 2nd Lyall Peck Catches  22
1937/38 1st Ron Olsen Batting  ?
1948/49 2nd R Reynolds Batting  50
    F Sharpe Catches  14
1949/50 1st B Taylor Bowling  7.05
1952/53 2nd S Frewin Catches  17
1953/54 2nd G Gavenlock Bowling  6.65
    S Frewin Catches  18
1957/58 3rd W McPherson Bowling  7.61
1959/60 2nd J Fernance Batting  41.5
1960/61 3rd J Innes Catches  15
1961/62 3rd A Haviland Bowling  5.55
1962/63   B Olsen Colt of the Year   
1964/65 2nd A Parsons Batting  40.45
1695/66 1st B Olsen Bowling  12.91
    W Vickery Catches  14
  2nd W McPherson Bowling  6.36
1966/67 1st P Davidson Catches  16
  2nd W McPherson Bowling  6.11
1967/68 2nd W McPherson Bowling  6
    G Wallace Catches  19
1968/69 1st Geoff Smith Bowling  10.5
1969/70   Geoff Smith Colt of the Year   
    G Birt Catches  21
1970/71 1st W Clifton Batting  36.54
  2nd G Dorrough Batting  35
1971/72 1st B Olsen Bowling  8.57
    W Clifton Catches  12
  3rd P McPherson Bowling  6.35
  4th C McKenzie Bowling  5.9
1972/73 1st W Clifton Batting  42.87
    G Birt Catches  15
  3rd J Crowley Batting  65.83
1973/74 1st W Clifton Batting 50.77
  2nd P Atkinson Batting 46.5
    B Berg Catches 19
  U/16 G Rowlands Batting 83.66
1974/75 U/16 G Rowlands U/16 Player of the Year  
  1st P Davidson Batting 49.86
1975/76 1st P Davidson Batting 60.73
1976/77   Greg Smith Colt of the Year  
  2nd P Atkinson Catches 16
1977/78 1st A Frazer Batting 47.11
    G Birt Catches 20
  2nd J Ryan Catches 17
1978/79   J Liddle Colt of the Year  
  1st P Davidson Batting 64.2
  4th L Sullivan Batting 49.37
    P Cary Bowling 4.68
  U/16 A Sharpe Batting 45.3
    A Sharpe Catches 15
1979/80 2nd J Ryan Catches 24
1980/81 1st Greg Smith Batting 54.89
  5th W King Catches 21
  U/16 M Vine Bowling 7.78
1981/82   Peter Martin CC Express Special Award  
    M Vine U/16 Player of the Year  
  3rd J Crowley Bowling 6.9
  5th I Chapple Batting 47.14
    R Cross Bowling 7.7
    G Donnellan Catches 13
1982/83 1st G Rowlands Batting 68
    E Watkins Bowling 11.06
  3rd E Shankleton Bowling 10.05
    J Ryan Catches 15
  5th J Barclay Batting 45.85
    P Paterson Bowling 17
1983/84 2nd J Ryan Catches 15
  5th P Murray Bowling 7.81
  U/16 A Brown Batting 59.78
1984/85 1st E Watkins Bowling 10.28
    P Coombes Catches 24
  4th M Phillips Batting 105.33
  5th G Chambers Batting 41.42
1985/86 2nd B Pycock Batting 41
    K Brookes Catches 17
1986/87 6th W Hardman 6th Grade Player of the Year  
  2nd W Clifton Bowling 9.06
  3rd D Schuemaker Bowling 14.58
  U/16 M Hoffman Batting 36.57
    S Finlay Catches 17
1987/88 1st G Rowlands Batting 76.75
  2nd K Brookes Catches 23
1988/89   P Coombes Doug Fagan Trophy Highest Score In 1st Grade 135*
  1st G Rowlands Batting 56
  2nd J Chambers Catches 14
  4th R Andrews Catches 13
  5th J Kemble Batting 69.8
    P Collins Catches 19
  6th B Paine Bowling 9.5
1989/90 2nd A Sharpe Batting 37.9
1990/91   A Shoobridge CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  3rd P Fuller Batting 76.5
    P Taylor Bowling 16.44
    D Jacobs Catches 23
1991/92   A Shoobridge Colt of the Year  
    A Shoobridge CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  1st G Rowlands Batting 59.38
    K Bookes Catches 15
1992/93   A Sainsbury Colt of the Year  
    T Marchant CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  2nd C Walsh 2nd Grade Player of the Year  
  6th J Woodger 6th Grade Player of the Year  
  1st K Brookes Catches 19
  2nd P Paterson Catches 21
  3rd S McGarvey Catches 18
  5th P Collins Batting 64.8
  6th R Kelly Batting 63
1993/94   Andrew Sainsbury Colt of the Year  
    Andrew Sainsbury CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  1st Glen Rowlands 1st Grade Player of the Year  
  2nd Garry Heggie 2nd Grade Player of the Year  
  2nd Garry Heggie Batting 43.67
  5th Graham Walshaw Batting 56.71
    Jack Woodger Bowling 11.36
1994/95 1st Andrew Sainsbury District 1st XI Player of the Year  
    Andrew Sainsbury Colt of the Year  
    Andrew Sainsbury CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  2nd Garry Heggie 2nd Grade Player of the Year  
  1st Andrew Murray Batting 64
  2nd Garry Heggie Batting 89.67
1996/97 4th Robert Hay 4th Grade Player of the Year  
  3rd Andrew Bull Batting 53.56
  4th Ken Brookes Batting 71.67
    Steve McGarvey Catches 17
  5th Peter Collins Batting 54.17
    Jack Woodger Bowling 9.88
    Trevor Fortune Catches 22
1997/98 3rd Scott Forrest Batting 60.17
  4th Jack Woodger Bowling 13.41
  6th Craig Walker Batting 51.6
    Ben Grant Bowling 10.43
1998/99   Aaron O'Brien Colt of the Year  
    Aaron O'Brien CC Express Youth Player of the Year  
  4th Kurt Simpson Dismissals 22
  5th David Schuemaker Bowling 9.84
  6th Craig Coskerie Batting 57
1999/2000   Aaron O'Brien Colt of the Year  
  5th Aaron Sharp Batting 67.63
  6th Brent Richards Bowling 8.64
2002/03 4th Joe Nosti Dismissals 32
  5th Peter Collins Batting 60.67
2003/04   Mark Smith Youth Player of the Year  
    John C Moriarty Malcolm Chalmers Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to the CCCA  
  5th Stephen Morgan Dismissals 25
2004/05 3rd Shaun Clarke 3rd Grade Player of the Year  
  3rd Shaun Clarke Batting 63.80
  3rd Ben Lester Dismissals 22
2005/06 1st Ashley Shoobridge Batting 58.45
  1st Peter Cross Dismissals 24
  3rd Brad Smith Dismissals 34
  4th Michael Collins Dismissals 25
  5th Stephan Morgan Dismissals 22
2007/08 1st Andrew Murray Bowling 10.21
  2nd Paul Moriarty Batting 55.71
  3rd Charles Chegwidden Bowling 7.18
  4th Craig Walker Batting 36.30
2008/09 1st Andrew Murray Bowling 6.53
  1st Andrew Murray The Damian Wright Medal for Player of the Match in the 1st Grade Grand Final 28.4-9-59-3 & 27no
  7th (B) Joshua Glasson 7th (B) Grade Player of the Year 1087
  7th (B) Joshua Glasson Bowling 10.35
2009/10 2nd Troy Marchant Player of the Year  
  2nd Troy Marchant Batting 51.60
  10th Phil Friend Dismissals 21
2011/12 Premier League Andy Ryan Bowling 8.16
  Premier League Andy Ryan Premier League Captain of the Year  
  Premier League Andy Ryan Player of the Year  
  Premier League Ben Surwald The Damian Wright Medal for Player of the Match in the Premier League Grand Final 0* & 6-27 off 14
  Suburban ODLO Grade 2 Graeme Wearne Batting 108.75
         
         

 

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