HistoryA Short History of Geelong City CCBy Mark BrowningGeelong City along with Newtown & Chilwell, Geelong West and North Geelong are the only Octogenarian cricket clubs in the GCA. The 8 decades of Geelong City is a continuous affiliation excepting the five years of the Second World War. Like many clubs there have been several name changes over the period. The East Geelong club was incorporated before WW2 and up until 1950-51 the club was known as High School East. Since then the name has been Geelong City. About fifteen seasons ago we added the Sharks as a nickname. Most who know and play at the club call Richmond Crescent home. And so it has been for a long time. But before the early 60’s when the Geelong sub-district team started, the home games of Geelong City were played on Kardinia Park. That is where the legendary sides of the first half of the 1950’s played and dominated the competition. Geelong City returned there in 1989-90 for one summer while the oval at Richmond Crescent was being re-furbished. ’89-90 was also the first year that Geelong City ran five GCA teams. Four years earlier in ’85-86 Geelong City won its most recent 1st XI Division One Premiership. A catalyst for that success was the signing of our only Test player, Eldine Baptiste for half the season. Former Victorian fast bowler the late, Col Corstorphin was also in that ’85-86 side. A few club legends who have given wonderful service deserve recognition in any potted history of Geelong City. In 2007-08 the club jointly celebrated the outstanding milestone of 400 games reached by Grant Elliot and Robert Agg. They both are part of a joint dynasty at Geelong City that includes parents, siblings and descendants. In addition to Rob and Grant there has been and is at this club Gary, Travis and Kent Agg and Jeff, Craig, Trevor, Scott, Glenn, Tom, Matt, Dean, Ross and Hayden Elliot. Not to forget the Elliot and Agg ladies who have produced, supported and fostered these fine cricketers and men. Mention must also be made of the prolific Harry Heard, the club’s highest scorer in 1st XI cricket. He played at the time of the club’s golden era in the first half of the 1950’s when three of Geelong City’s five premierships were won. Other icons who have been the cornerstone of Geelong City include Bernie Hemley, John Russell, Jack McGowan, Carl Schaller and Des Foote. Des played in the three premierships in ’51-52, ’53-54 and ’54-55 and spoke at the 80th anniversary celebrations in February 2009. There are dozens of others living and dead who at every level have contributed greatly to the success of Geelong City Cricket Club on and off the field either as a top level player down to the last man picked in the fifths. From the presidents who have headed the running of this club to whoever kept the rooms clean. And the willing volunteers who have ensured the success of the juniors at Geelong City Cricket Club. Geelong City FactsMost Games: Robert Agg 422 Grant Elliot 413Most wickets: 1st XI Robert Agg 376 Most Runs 1st XI: Harry Heard 4892 Test players: 1 Eldine Baptiste (9 Tests W.I. 1983-90) First-Class Players 4: Colin Corstorphin Vic, Greg Mike Notts CCC, Keith Dutch Middlesex & Somerset CCC, Ricardo Williams Gloucs CCC. 1st XI Premierships 5: 1938-39, 1951-52, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1985-86 Best ever 1st XI bowling figures: T.Agg 9-22 v Grovedale 2000-01 Club Championship 1991-92 1st G.Elliot 572 points, 2nd T.McCormack 552 points, 3rd G.Stevenson 539 points. A Selection of other senior Premierships: 1st XI Div 2 1990-91, 1992-93 2nd XI 1961-62, 1995-96, 1996-97 3rd XI 1998-99 2001-01 4th XI 1998-99 Most Recent Premierships: Under 13’s v Inverleigh 2007-08 Coach; G.Iacono Under 15’s v Torquay 2008-09 Coach; J.Driver Highest 1st XI Score: 6-404 v Geelong Cement 1999-00 Andrew Pooley 174, Adam Pitts 105 Most 1st XI runs in a season: 743 Scott Lindsay 2000-01 Most 1st XI wicketkeeping dismissals: G Elliot 176 Special performance vs international team: Harry Heard 84 for Vic Country v England 1950-51 AFL/VFL footballers: Peter Bird, Mark Browne, Bill Brownless, David Cameron, Justin Wood. Biggest partnership: 359 3rd XI Danny Wilson 210, Kevin Grant 216 (visiting Englishman) 2nd wicket v Thomson 1990-91 |
|
Lyons Latest: 
