Picking the best grade team that I played with brought back some great memories and reminded me of the many friendships and rivalries cricket brings to us all. I did the North Shore circuit of grade clubs.
I started my career with four seasons at the Gordon Stags, and ventured down the Pacific Highway spending five years at the North Sydney Bears and then found Military Rd where I finished with 9 seasons at the Mosman Whales.
I was lucky enough to win back to back premierships with the Stags in 1990 and 91. They were my first two years of 1st grade and I vividly remember the older crew of Mark O’Neill, Phil Emery, Steve Day, Michael Cant and Richard Stobo telling us we didn’t understand what we had achieved. The young punks as we were referred to, naturally replied “what’s the big deal?” The old crew were correct as I never won another premiership.
The Bears came knocking and I made the move spending five seasons there. Percy’s became a second home to quite a few of us and my pool improved remarkably. We did win a one-day title but they just don’t cut it compared to the Belvidere Cup where we made the Grand Final twice but came up short both times. The 1994/95 Grand Final loss was as hard a loss as I’ve ever endured.
I then did the final move along the North Shore finishing up at the Whales for nine seasons where we made the finals several times but couldn’t make the Grand Final. I’m still there now in an administrative role.
I also spent at least two seasons and possibly more with Pat Farhart at his Ultimo Physio studio. Great man who went out of his way countless times to try and get me back on the park.
My selection of the best Grade team I played with;
1. Andrew Strauss - Mosman
Straussy came to the Whales in 2000 and 2001 as the most posh speaking and well-mannered Pom I’d come across. Opened the batting playing some classy knocks. I admit he didn’t set the word on fire for us but his record for England speaks enough volume of his class. We could see something but never thought it would it eventuate into what he achieved.
2. Scott Hookey – North Sydney
Five memorable and extremely entertaining seasons with Hook at the Bears. Hook or Monster as he was also known was the most destructive batsmen I’ve played with or against. Could change a game in a heartbeat and he was one player you never wanted to miss when at the crease. He opened the batting or came in at number 4 and it didn’t really matter which one it was. I’ll never forget his 147 before lunch at Manly Oval and 200 at Rosedale dismissed in the 37th over. There were plenty of other amazing knocks in between. Loved a chat on the field more than any other player I knew but also loved a beer with the opposition after.
3. Martin Haywood - Mosman
In a tight field Moose gets the number 3 gig due to the pure number of runs I saw him score at that spot. Never got phased at the crease and churned out plenty of tons for the Whales. Moose was the club’s leading run scorer five seasons in a row. Such was the quality of Moose that when his eyes started to go on him in his later years, he slotted back down to 2nd grade leading them to a memorable flag in 2006/07 where he tonned up in the Grand Final.
4. Mark O’Neill – Gordon
In my second or third 1st grade game I copped the biggest spray of my grade career from Sparky after returning from the lunch break 15 minutes late. Three of us jumped the fence with play under way after our chicken burgers took longer than expected. The barrage we copped was unprecedented. I loved watching Sparky bat, he would whinge about anything and everything, blow up at the slightest thing and then churn out a ton. Loved the short ball like no other I saw and bowled superb leggies when his knees weren’t killing him.
5. Shane Lee – Mosman and Captain
When Fuggy hit the grade scene he was the ultimate pretty boy. Flowing blonde locks, dressed all fancy but crikey could he play. Bowled rapid in his early days and simply destroyed attacks with the bat. He could take his time if needed and up the tempo whenever required. I lost count of the number of games which he won for Mosman by himself with bat or ball. Had the best arm I’ve ever seen and was just so enjoyable to play with. I had a bet with Fug one pre-season the first to score a ton or take a 5 fa gets a night on the town all paid for. Round 1 he took 7 for and scored 149!! It was one long night.
6. Phil Marks – North Sydney
I missed Skid’s bowling but watching him follow Hook or bat with Hook was pretty cool. Skid like Fug, could destroy an attack at will or bide his time if needed. Massive set of hands taking pretty much everything that came his way. Loved jumping into short leg every now and again to have a quiet conversation with the batsmen. Led us to two grand finals where we came second. Still hurts.
7. Adam Gilchrist – Gordon and Wicket Keeper
I had the pleasure to play my first years of 1st grade with Gilly at the Stags and witness first-hand how good he was. He was a class above back then and we all knew he would go onto bigger and better things. Coming in at number 7 is not good for any opposition as he showed in the 1991 Grand Final. We were 5 for not many on a seaming deck and Gilly top scored with 70 odd helping us get the win.
8. Craig Hughes - Mosman
Bully was your genuine all-rounder. Didn’t take the new ball but bowled good pace with a nasty bouncer. Run a ball every time he batted with most hitting or clearing the pickets. Most notably like my number 5 batsmen had the long blond locks and loved a scrap on the playing field. Something always happened when Bullneck had the bat or ball in hand.
9. John Davison – Gordon and Mosman
My first four years of grade were with Davo at the Stags and I loved playing with him. He should have been an opening bowler such was his fiery temper. Superb off spin bowler who was always at the batsmen and loved a chat. Coming in at 9 doesn’t do his batting justice as we all witnessed at the 2005 World Cup when he opened the batting for Canada. Davo was a leopard in the field and is my number one fielder in this team. He finished his career with a couple of seasons at the Whales in his later years skippering them to a One Day Flag in 2009. Coincidence only that was the same season I had hung my 1st grade boots up!!
10. Trent Johnston – North Sydney and Mosman
Angry and nasty is the best way to describe TJ with ball in hand. TJ had some sensational years for the Bears and then the Whales taking 50 poles a season a several times. Bowled his heart out and would bowl all day if needed. Best number 10 batsmen going around as he reaped plenty of damage at number 7 in his day.
11. Richard Stobo – Gordon
The complete opposite of TJ. Well-spoken and rarely got fired up. Just got the job done taking a truck load of poles along the way. Stobes led the attack for the Stags in our back to back flags taking 60 odd wickets in 1991. His chat was top draw as it actually had some wit about it. Couldn’t get the ball out of his hands and was one of the reasons I headed to the Bears as I wanted to get more overs myself! He was the first quick I saw bowl a slower ball to huge success and the only quick I’ve ever seen do the Herald crossword puzzle in the change room.
12. Michael McMahon – North Sydney
The great man M McMahon bowled straight, or some would describe sliding offies at the Bears. Plenty of LBs as it just didn’t turn much. For me, 12th man plays a crucial role in team morale especially when things aren’t going well. Mick could certainly provide this and he is the first guy I’d want in any change room.
Net Captain. Peter Davison – Gordon
I’m going to add net Captain to the list as this would have to be the most thankless and hardest run task in any grade club. It’s mostly run by a parent just wanting to help out and they cop constant whining and complaining from pretty much everyone. Gordon’s Peter Davison was superb at it despite his own son jumping in with his 2 cents worth of issues. Great job Pete.
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