Warrandyte Cricket Club

During 1875 and 1876, the Trustees spent the sum of 7 Pounds 3 Shillings and 9 Pence on fencing and other improvements to the ground, but there is nothing to suggest that anything in the line of a permanent pavilion had been erected.

[2] During the 1880s and 1890s, regular games were played against Kangaroo Ground, Ringwood, [3][4] Yarra Flats, Eltham, Lilydale, with visits from the West End Brewery from Melbourne.

J. Hubbard 4 for 15 and C. Cumberland 4 for 32 were the only other successful bowlers.The following Saturday a change "came over the scene," as Christmas Hills, requiring 80 with an innings to go, secured the win with four wickets to spare.

At a public sports meeting on Saturday 14 October 1905 a club committee was formed, consisting of E.H.Cameron as president, Edwards Kruse as Secretary, and George Quick as treasurer.

A month later on Saturday 18 November heralded the day the club played its first competitive cricket match, as they took on Christmas Hills at the Warrandyte Reserve.

Warrandyte would claim their first win the following game at Kangaroo Ground, with John Till again the star, top scoring with 45 and taking 9 wickets, including 5 in the opposition total of just 9 in the 2nd innings.

[6] Earliest reference to women's cricket was noted on the ANA holiday back on 24 January 1906, when after the men played the visiting Carlton team, a ladies game was held.

The step up in the standard of cricket was evident, even in the B Grade, with the club struggling against strong seasoned teams like Blackburn, Box Hill, Croydon, Doncaster, East Burwood, Ringwood & Templestowe.

1936/37 saw the 1sts claim its first RDCA premiership, on the back of fearful fast bowler Fred Carlton's 90 wickets and 2 competition bowling awards in 2 seasons.

Following two of the brightest moments was possibly its darkest, when on 13 January 1939, the Black Friday bush fires ravaged the town, destroying the clubrooms and all its equipment and memorabilia in its wake.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the first Life Membership medallion to Jack Moore by Councillor William F. Betton, who paid a tribute to his fine services to the people of Warrandyte both on and off the sporting field.

Back row (L-R) Bill Betton (president), Graham Pike, Bill Taberner, Graham West, Ken Sargeant, Robert Stewart, Les Adams (manager) Front row (L-R) Henrique Harding, Peter Adams, Glen Martin (C), Boyd Ewing, Laurie Warr The celebrations continued the following season, when the 1st XI claimed the B Grade premiership in 1956/57 under the captaincy of Colin Chapman.

With most players returning from the failed North Warrandyte venture for the 1961/62 season, the club also began to see the fruits of its junior team when it fielded a 3rd eleven for the first time in 1963/64.

That was a record that stood until Allan Chapman's son, John, graduated from the juniors in 1963, and brought up 50 years at the club playing veterans in 2011/12.

His father-in-law, Les Adams, ended a 35-year stint, playing his last game in 1974, while his son, Peter, won an amazing 6 consecutive 1st XI bowling awards in the 1960s.

And Robert White, a talented all round sportsman, joined the club in 1970, and would go on to be the leading run scorer in the 1st XI, as well as holding two stints as president.

The quality of playing stocks also improved, with the likes of Bob McDonald, Richard Bowen, Fred Jungwirth and Marty McCarthy recruited or developed from the junior ranks.

And capping off a stunning season, were victories to both under 12s sides that included future stars in Michael and Cameron Day, Colin Dorning, Tony Sturesteps, Darren Peters, Brendan Baker and Greg Creber.

Traditionally Warrandyte's 1st XI had always struggled when promoted to the highest grade, but much confidence was gained when they finished a credible 5th out of 14 teams in its first attempt in Chandler Shield, which at the time was one of the most revered and competitive in metropolitan Melbourne.

Captain Davis also had a stellar season, claiming 44 wickets himself and snatching the competition bowling award from Lloyd, whilst Robert White returned the club from a stint at District cricket, and averaged 80 with the bat.

Back row (L-R) John McCartin, Brett Kline, John Chapman, Bruce Kline, Richard Bowen, Fred Jungwirth, Stephen Peake, Mark Davis, Graeme Lloyd Front row (L-R) Robert White, Ann Pascoe (scorer), Steve Pascoe, Geoff Day (President), Stan Davis (C), Dianne Gathercole (Secretary), Marty McCarthy.

Warrandyte looked to then bat out the day and claim a comfortable win, but after collapsing to be all out for 96, Wantirna South had 25 overs to score 159 runs in fading light.

Fielding was almost impossible as dark clouds closed in on the ground and infielders were forced to scream out the direction of the ball to outfielders unable to pick up its flight.

Sharman also brought with him an array of talent, including determined opening batsman Andrew Hood, Campbell Horlock and all-rounder Harry Drysdale.

So the players returned to the East Ringwood oval, and with a huge crowd in attendance, fortunes ebbed and flowed again until 7 runs were required from the final over with 5 wickets in hand.

Warrandyte left to ponder how the lost a game they had already won Hogg took another 35 wickets the following season, but the firsts struggled for runs after the departures of Sharman and his recruits.

Diminishing player numbers also had a critical effect on finances, and the club were forced to float the idea of merging with South Warrandyte to survive.

Season 2003/04 saw 5-time 1st XI Club Champion Adam White, son of Life Member Robert, win his first of two association best and fairest medals.

But after extensive research conducted by Steve Goddard at the State Library of Victoria, match scores and articles were obtained from various newspapers dating back to when the club starting competitively in 1905 and beyond.

Players with over 200 games or 4,000 runs or 300 wickets in senior cricket (in order of induction) :- William Colman, James Schubert, Richard McCulloch, Les Till, Les McCulloch, William Moore, John Moore, Jack McAuley, Allan Chapman, Les Adams, Horace Smith Jnr, Peter Adams, Lindsay Bellinger, Alan Woolcock, John Chapman, Alan Bellinger, Geoff Day, Robert White, Stephen Peake, Graeme Lloyd, Steve Pascoe, Fred Jungwirth, Robert Leguier, Graham Lawrence, Mark Davis, Chris Snaidero, Geoff Taylor, Darren Peters, Gerald Walshe, Brett Kline, Tony Sturesteps, Max Summers, Greg Tregear, Russell Dorning, Brendan Baker, Cameron Day, Steve Bell, David Mooney, Greg Creber, Colin Dorning, Stephen Warr, Nathan Croft, Stephen Goddard, Tyson Brent, Campbell Holland, Dean Gidley, Adam White, Adam Beardall, Matthew Chapman, Matthew Sazenis, John Prangley, Craig Lincoln, Daniel Wellesley.