Twenty - Weston Creek Cricket Club

Weston Creek, Cricket ClubIt was with some trepidation that I travelled to Stirling Ovalon a cold Sunday morning in the middle of August in 1979.I had just completed a very successful premiership winningyear with the Woden Cricket Club's second grade team butwas anxious to experience cricket at the top grade level. Itdidn't take long to meet some of the real personalities of theWeston Creek Cricket Club.I met Don Brooker and Percy Samara-Wickrama as theypatrolled the back of the nets ensuring everything was in orderand that new recruits were being introduced - a practice theywould continue to adopt every season thereafter. Havingconcluded practice, I wondered whether anyone would go fora refreshing cordial. It was with much pleasure that I wasdragged to Matildas Tavern by Chris Harris and PaddyO'Brien and it didn't take me long to pencil my name into thescore book. So was to begin a very enjoyable career thatincluded padding up in all 5 grade teams. My only regret wasnot getting to take 10 wickets in my career as, forever thetrusted WCCC records will show, only 9 top line batsmensuccumbed to my guile.I had many great experiences and played cricket with somelively and interesting characters - the memories linger on.Let me share some of these with you as accurately as thepassing time will allow.One experience that always comes to mind is the semi-finalof the Twilight competition in 1979. We were keen to dowell - our first year in first grade and besides that there wasmoney at stake! The Creek compiled a more than usefulscore of 4 for 156 off the allotted 20 overs. Brian Kenseyand Chris Body put on 80 odd for the opening wicket beforeGreg Irvine struck 52 in 43 minutes, including a mighty 6 offthe last ball of the innings. We were looking good. ButWoden hit out and took 25 off the first two overs. At 3 for66