Five Summers Five Flags - University of New South Wales Cricket ...

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more flighted ball but nothing special and nothing planned. Gardner sweeps high into the outfield towards square leg. Waiting there are the safest hands in the comp - Chappo's. But he's looking straight into the afternoon sun, and for a moment our hearts are in our mouths. Sun or no sun, our finest fielder won't drop this one and he catches it above his eyes, hurling it backwards high into the air. At first, it's sheer bedlam as Livo sprints onto the field and we realise we've won a marvellous game of cricket. As we walk off it suddenly hits us that we've won much more than that. We've beaten the champions on their home ground, and we've actually won a NSWCA first grade premiership. The reception at the gate is extraordinary and it feels like every person who has ever played for the club is there, pounding us on the back and singing and chanting. Eventually it's back to the dressing room and the champagne arrives. Suddenly you could hear a pin drop as in walks Riley. In the most gracious manner possible he congratulates us on our achievement, and the room erupts. Above: Greg Watson overcomes cramp to make a vital breakthrough, John Bain, far left, caught O'Brien. Below: The pressure takes its toll on Petersham as Greg Hartshorne watches Paddy Grattan-Smith gather the ball during the frantic run-out that took Wales closer to victory. 30
As usual we join the Petersham boys for quite a few drinks. At one point he says: ‘If we couldn't win it I'm glad you have. You're not a bad bunch of blokes, except for one.’ He means it, the good and the bad. We all know the one bloke is Jimmy O'Brien, who topcored for us and returned every sledge with interest. Riles says he'll see us later for a drink. Then the convoy heads back to the Village Green where Splinter, Jill and co have the party ready. And what a party it was - made even better by two unexpected visits. The first is by the vice-chancellor, Prof Rupert Myers, who is ecstatic at our success. Several hilarious speeches are made, songs sung. The second visit, near midnight, is from Riles, Petersham captain and the comp's hard man. We'd always liked and respected Riles. He played it really hard and loved to get under people's skins but he was always fair. His arrival ensures that he'll always be part of the folklore of the club's first win. The celebrations seemed to last for some weeks, highlighted by a university reception on the library steps, and premiership dinner given by the NSW Cricket Association at which we all received our premiership caps, and finally a superb club dinner where Chancellor Gordon Samuels and legendary Labor politician Fred Daly toasted us, and Henry made the first of his Cold Gold awards to cap a memorable summer. John Rogers Celebrations continue well ino the week after the match. Back: Andrew McMaster, Jim Robson, Greg Watson, Paddy Grattan- Smith, Jill Ratcliff, Geoff Lawson. Front: JimO’Brien, John Rogers. LENNIE AND CHAPPO Len Pascoe is on the rampage at the VG in the 76-77 semi. We lose a wicket and Chappo comes out. Amazingly Lennie pitches the first ball up. It's against his nature for a start and everyone knows Chappo is one of the best front-foot drivers in Sydney. He pushes forward and with minimal followthrough creams it to the extra cover fence. Magnificent shot. 'So you like to drive, do you. Well, let's see how your teeth look on the pitch,' says Lennie. Chappo gets through the rest of the over and we meet for a chat. 'Brutus,' says Chappo, 'I'm not sure I should've done that.' 'Well, he does seem a bit upset. I'd be looking to get on the back foot if I were you,' I said. It was Lennie's last half-volley for the day. Mark Ray 31
Page 3 and 4: 'UNSW cricket, where Test players t
Page 5: CONTENTS 01 Foreword 02 Getting int
Page 8 and 9: Getting Into Grade In 1972 the Sydn
Page 10 and 11: St George’s last home game for th
Page 12 and 13: Somehow teams got chosen and off we
Page 14 and 15: The tours also helped players from
Page 16 and 17: Talent to Burn Poidevin-Gray 1976-7
Page 19 and 20: THE TEAM by JIM ROBSON & ROGER MARC
Page 21 and 22: POIDEVIN-GRAY FINAL 1976-77 SCG No.
Page 23 and 24: The Big Sting First Grade 1976-77 I
Page 26: JR heads for the pavilion with the
Page 29 and 30: could take on anyone. The season be
Page 31 and 32: A few overs later - with the score
Page 33 and 34: The Final v Petersham Petersham Ova
Page 35: Hartshorne hesitates. Chardon keeps
Page 39 and 40: FIRST GRADE FINAL 1976-77 Petersham
Page 41 and 42: WHAT IF I'D DROPPED IT … With Pet
Page 43 and 44: - While the final was not the No.3'
Page 45 and 46: Back: Geoff Kirkwood, Bruce Handley
Page 47 and 48: Greig Robinson - One of the great c
Page 49 and 50: The Wales method at the Village Gre
Page 51: UNIVERSITY OF NSW - 2nd Innings I.
Page 55 and 56: Leaders and leadership throughout t
Page 57: too seriously. While his keeping wa
Page 60 and 61: NSWCA president Alan Davidson with
Page 62 and 63: ment. This core of experienced play
Page 64 and 65: Chris Hanger - as the keeper Cliffi
Page 66 and 67: FIRST GRADE FINAL 1980 - 81 Village
Page 69: The Joys of Batting at the Village
Page 73 and 74: The Final v Northern Districts Vill
Page 75 and 76: You knew these blokes could play wa
Page 77 and 78: The Last Word There has been no bet
Page 79 and 80: Come the semi-final we had plenty o

Five Summers Five Flags - University of New South Wales Cricket ...

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