1988/89

Peter Watson became Club President and Gordon McLeod was Vice President. Steve Denton retained the Secretary's position with not many hassles, and Roy Watts was serving his second term as Treasurer. The Committee comprised Dave Crompton, Dale McCurdy, Wayne Ross, Neil Stirling, Norm Stickland, Les Thomas and Peter Worland. One of the first actions of the Committee was to arrange for a fourth Practice Wicket to be constructed, but unfortunately the surface could not be laid during the Season. Perhaps this was a bit of a blessing as the preferred surface throughout Frankston was malthoid, and stocks were getting quite low. The Frankston Council had already indicated that we would soon be playing on some other type of synthetic surface - but more of that later. The Club became an Incorporated Body in 1988/89 and obtained a Restricted Licence. The efforts of Alan Splatt, the Club's Honorary Solicitor, and Steve Denton who became our Public Officer, were greatly appreciated. Neither Alan nor Steve had been in the Club for a long period of time, but the Club was extremely lucky to have members like these.
Back in the District Grade, the Club was looking to a continuance of last Season's successes, at the very least to consolidate our position in the higher Grade. Bob Martin was again appointed Coach, and his other captains were Chris Firth (2nds), Norm Stickland (3rds), Bob Hough (4ths), Roy Watts (5ths), Ron McWilliams (6ths) and Greg Pretty (7ths). New players to the Club were Geoff Arnold (Pearcedale), Larry Fisher, Bob Hindle, Bruce Lott, Shane Oxley and Jeff Roach. Steve Griffin, Greg Pretty, Bob Kent, John Black, Peter Lipscom, Clarrie Swan, Mark Watson, Brett Cook and Justin Day returned to the Club - although some of these recruits and "returnees" could easily have been missed if one blinked! Justin Bridgeman, Shane Brown, Josh Crompton, Stuart Doolan, Christopher Firth, Simon Fisher, Marty Kelly, Sean Kelly, Neil Kent and David Worrall graduated from the Junior ranks while Alistair Black, Adam Chubb, John Georgiou, Luke Hindle, Sam Griffiths, Nick Hough, Alex Kerley, Steve Wisniewski, Greg Lamb, Gary Measham, Cameron McLeod, Gareth Park, Craig "Butch" Thomas, Ben Parkinson, Mick Pollard, Jason Smith, Dean Stirling, Paul Triffett and Daniel Watts played Senior cricket as well as representing the Junior Grades. The ranks at Long Island were still full of talent, although we were back to a position that we were in about 10 Seasons ago, probably about three or four years away from being a really good Club, with very strong 1st, 2nd XI and 3rd XI teams. At this very time however, we were, overall, a fairly old Club, sprinkled with young talent, but the next few Seasons were really going to test us.

Players who left the Club were Mark Anderson - 30 games and 58 wickets at 21.62%, Trevor Bailey - 96 games, 1075 runs [Highest Score 69 not out, and 70 wickets at 24.45%, Tony Caddy, Peter Carroll, Craig Davis, Mark Floro, Justin Groves, Merv Halsall - 16 games, Ross Lacy - 41 games, "Dusty" Hume, David Lockley, Peter Mills, Dave Muir - 102 games, 1066 runs [Highest Score 82] and 162 wickets at 18.97, Dale McClelland (to Pearcedale) - 20 games, Ross Penberthy (retired) - 78 games and 1509 runs [Highest Score 60] at 18.18% and Barney Potter.

Moving into the District Grade, the cricket was tougher and the 1st XI found it very difficult to win games. On a number of occasions, we were in winning positions, but failed to go on with it. In addition, match-winners in the previous Season, lost their consistency, and players such as Cameron Park and Peter Conell spent time in the 2nds. We did stay in the District Grade, finishing two rungs above the bottom team, although a Tie to that team - Moorooduc - was an extremely lucky result for us. We won the first game of the Season beating Carrum Downs by 1 run in a One-Day match, with Bob Martin hitting good form from the start. In Round 2, Wayne Ross tied the Langwarrin batsmen up and with support from Gordon and Stuart McLeod, dismissed them for 131. We were cruising at 4/95, but unaccountably lost our last 6 wickets for 15 runs, and turned a certain victory into defeat. The very strong Frankston YCW took us apart in the 3rd Round, then with Lindsay Batey (73) and David Buckley (82) leading the batting we scored 235 against Rye. They passed us with 3 wickets in hand then we suffered the ignomy of watching 65 runs scored off the last 3 overs of the match.
Gordon McLeod proved to us that day that he, too, is human (or perhaps age has something to do with it!). Our nemisis Baxter was next, and again it was our bowlers, led by Gordon (you can't keep a good man down), who put us in a very good position. The second day of the match was all ours, until the heavens opened up, and each time they did, we left the ground for the shelter of the Clubrooms. Each time we returned, we lost quick wickets. With one over remaining we had lost 9 wickets and Gordon was still there. Unfortunately so too was Rosso, and while we didn't lose that last wicket, the 11 runs needed off the over were unobtainable, so we both settled for a Draw. Then came the infamous Tie against Moorooduc, which was decided upon by the Pennant Committee a few days after the last ball had been bowled in anger.

After Christmas we easily accounted for Frankston East with Bob Martin getting amongst the runs. Delacombe Park thrashed us (as usual) and Boneo did likewise. We then had a hard fought game against Rosebud and won this one by three runs, and this time we were safely away from the Relegation Stakes. A loss to Mt Martha in the last Round - another one day match - ended a pretty ordinary Season, and again we knew that the task ahead was full of pitfalls if we didn't lift our game.

During the Season, Dale McCurdy and Cameron Park represented the District Grade in the Annual District v Sub-District match.

Season's results :

The 2nd XI made the Finals in extraordinary circumstances when Chris Firth showed that he would have made a successful Engineer had he not taken to the Computing business. An outright against Rosebud saw us climb into the four in the second last Round, then a win in the last Match of the Season left us in fourth spot. Unfortunately we met the very strong Delacombe Park and while in with a chance early, we could not keep the pace up and lowered our colours. We started the Season with two losses with David Buckley and Lindsay Batey doing well with the bat, although our bowlers were struggling. In Round three, we finally got it together with Mick Pollard getting 108 in sensational style. Andrew Kitson and Peter Worland put the icing on the cake with 4/44 and 3/75 respectively. It was Potto's turn (111) with help from "Finn" (50 not out) and Justin Bridgeman (51) in the next game, and again Peter Worland (4/25), this time with "Finn" McLeod (3/19) getting amongst the wickets. Baxter was the next team to be on the end of the stick and Alan Splatt (33), Bridgy (42), "Finn" (95), Paul Jones (49) and Craig Small (34) helped us to 303. Cameron Park picked up 4/38, with Kitto, Smally and "Finn" getting two wickets each. We then had a big win against Moorooduc, highlighted by Craig Small's 67 off 17 balls - 9 sixes and 2 fours. Peter Worland (3/30) and Stuart McLeod (5/21) destroyed them with the ball. After Christmas we went down to Frankston East, then to Delacombe Park in a high scoring game in which Potto scored 77 and Doug Van Raay got 40. We then travelled to Boneo where we scored 264 with Stuart McLeod and Peter Conell again doing well, but the Boneo boys had other ideas and scored 6/325 by the end of the match (Peter Worland 3/60 and Wayne Ross 3/71). Our outright victory over Rosebud has been written about above although it is only fair to point out that Peter Conell scored a brilliant 89, Firthy smashed them around at the end of the day (to secure the victory) and Rosso took 3/69 and Paul Jones 2/14 off 15 overs. In the last match of the Home and Home games, we easily accounted for Mt Martha with Paul Jones getting 94 and Mick Pollard 70, and Andrew Kitson and Peter Worland picked up 5 wickets each. In the Semi-Final, Delacombe Park scored 7/349 with Andrew Kitson 3/65 and Cameron Park 4/97. Our batsmen started at a blistering pace and while Justin Bridgeman (79) and Paul Jones (61) were at the crease anything appeared possible. However, Paul was tragically run out and our hopes were dashed. We crumbled to be all out for 238.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 238 (J.Bridgeman 79, P.Jones 61) lost to Delacombe Park 7/349 (A.Kitson 3/65, C.Park 4/97)

The 3rd XI , promoted back into "A" Grade lost every game. Young players Shane Brown (29) and Matt Parkinson (37) did well with the bat in the first match, but the Mt Eliza batsmen were too good, despite Peter Worland's 4/40. Pines gave us a cricket lesson in Round 2 with Neil Stirling (30) and Mike McDonald (39) the only batsmen to give a yelp. They then scored 2/252. In Round 3, the Stirlings, father Neil (84 not out) and son Dean (30 not out) got our score to 6/178, but Langwarrin scored almost 100 more than that - Greg Carbis and Paul Denton taking two wickets each. A greatly improved effort followed against Seaford with Parko scoring 113 and Neil Stirling and Craig Small getting 43 each, and the team scoring 5/245. Seaford however managed 7/279 (Neil Stirling 3/55). In the two games before Christmas, Neil Stirling scored 92 not out and took 6/53 and 2/44, and Dean took 2/45 and 3/36. After the break things didn't improve, while although we managed to score runs, wickets were always hard to come by. Mick Pollard scored 53 and 75, Richard Carter 44 and Roy Watts and Aaron Wright scored a couple of 30's each. Norm Stickland took a couple of good hauls with the ball, Marty Kelly picked up 4/66 and Greg Carbis gave himself a reason to return next Season with 5/60 in the last match of the Season.

Season's results

The 4th XI , led by Bob Hough were a pretty solid combination making the Finals and being good enough to reach the Grand Final. Steve Griffin had a magnificent Season, capturing 39 wickets and scoring 304 runs. Captain Hough performed to his usual standard with 297 runs and 19 wickets and Bob Kent scored 170 runs. But more importantly, young players like Gareth Park, Mick Pollard, Shane Brown, Adam Chubb, Gary Measham, Aaron Wright, Greg Lamb and Gary Housley played much of their cricket in this team during the Season, and there were big hopes that this learning process did not go to waste.

Season's results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 238 (A.Wright 27, S.Brown 67, L.Thomas 31, S.Griffin 25, G.Lamb 20no) defeated Carrum Downs 67 (S.Griffin 6/31, G.Park 3/13)

In the Grand Final, we met Heatherhill. Our batting let us down and we could only muster 162. Heatherhill made us pay for that and hit up 321. Gareth Park, Steve Griffin and Greg Lamb bowled superbly, while Shane Brown played an almost lone-hand with the bat.

Grand Final :
Long Island 162(S.Brown 43, M.Parkinson 23, L.Thomas 29) lost to Heatherhill 321 (S.Griffin 3/70, G.Park 3/69, G.Lamb 2/70)

The 5th XI won three games and lost 8, but in the process blooded Cameron McLeod, Gary Measham, Steve Wisniewski, Adam Chubb and the very promising John Georgiou - still an Under 14 player. The first game of the Season resulted in a huge win - against Mornington Diggers - and most of us thought we were in for a big year. Roy Watts, however - who scored 78 in that match - predicted that we lacked the depth required to emulate last Season's performances. In the next couple of games we came down to earth, with two losses, but with young players, Gary Housley (36), Steve Wisniewski (33) and David Worrall (44 not out) getting amongst the runs. The bowling was a problem. In the next game, against Frankston YCW, we had a big win with Richard Carter hammering a lightning 121 not out in very short time, David Worrall taking 4/35 and Daniel Watts 6/25 inc hatrick. Frankston East was the next team to suffer when Wayne Carter scored 39 and "Butch" Thomas got 28 not out. Daniel Watts chimed in with a couple of wickets, but it was Steve Wisniewski who stole the thunder, with 4/35 off 26 overs. In the last game before the Christmas break, we went down to Carrum Downs.

Wayne Carter continued his good form with another 30 and Daniel Watts (3/48) and Laurence Hall (3/32) tried hard to keep them to a lower total, but our 125 was no where near enough. After the break, the team was changed around quite dramatically. Our first game was against Mornington Diggers who we defeated very easily in Round 1. This time the boot was well on the other foot, and only for the performances of Bruce Lott (4/34) and Daniel Watts (3/41) we would have been accutely embarassed. The strong Heatherhill team took us apart in the next game, although when asked to bat again, Adam Chubb scored a fine 62 not out to give us some indication that he had a pretty bright future. Daniel Watts (3/32) and Kevin Stokes (2/27) were our best bowlers. Mornington were next in the queue, and they scored a comfortable win, but the big thing for the Club was the better performers - Adam Chubb 97, Gary Housley 26, "Butch" Thomas 4/47 and Gary Measham 2/78 off 22 overs - all from the Juniors. Gary Housley scored 61 in each Innings of the last two games, Cameron McLeod got 46 and John Georgiou scored 35 not out. Gary Measham took 5/45 in the second last game and Cameron McLeod picked up 4/38 in the last match.

Season's Results :

The 6th XI had a very successful Season. It won 9 matches, finished in top position, but unfortunately missed out in the Semi-Final. Alistair Black scored a sensational 116 in the first game, Cameron McLeod made 60 not out and the "Public Officer" Steve Denton scored 36. Paul Triffett, another Junior took 5/12 while Ron McWilliams and JD took 2 wickets each. We lost the second game of the Season to Carrum Downs but Steve Fishwick should that his form was not going to wane from kast Season, scoring a fine 45. Laurence Hall put in his best bowling performance for the Club, with 4/15. We then defeated Hastings (always a good win) with "Butch" Thomas 72 not out, Ron McWilliams 86 and Adam Chubb 34 not out. Ben Parkinson (3/42) and Justin Day (4/42) were the best of the bowlers. Against Heatherhill in Round 4, Steve Fishwick scored 44, "Butch" Thomas got 32 and Ron McWilliams scored 39. Ronnie chimed in with 4/35 and Steve Denton took 2/10 off 8 overs. The following match was against Somerville and the veterans, Fishy (38) Kevin Stokes (38) and Phil Pollard (30 not out) showed the youngsters what batting was all about, while Angrew Vose showed them all what fast bowling is about, with 5/27. Andy picked up 3/30 in the next match against Balnarring, and with Mick Mitic (30) and Ron McWilliams (35) we won and went to the Christmas break with 5 wins and 1 loss.

After the break, we defeated Karingal - Mick Mitic 38 not out and 2/21, Larry Fisher 3/31, John Denton 3/4 and Peter Ridgway 25, then defeated Mt Eliza with Steve Fishwick scoring 67, Steve Denton 74, Danny Quinn 29 and Andrew Vose taking 2/39. Pearcedale inflicted our second defeat for the Season with the consistent Steve Fishwick scoring 40, Ron McWilliams 28, Danny Quinn 39 and Dave "Tex" Phillips taking 3/102 from a marathon bowling stint. We were back on the winning list in the last two games before the Finals when we beat Mt Martha then Heatherhill. Fishy scored 82, Mick Mitic 37, "Tex" 54, Ronnie McWilliams 110 not out and 37 not out while John Denton took 4/43 and 5/23 and Kevin Stokes 3/37. In the Semi-Final we scored 197 with Steve Fishwick 27, Steve Denton 30 and Dave Phillips 59. Our opponents, Mt Martha were too good and amassed 274 with Mick Mitic 4/77 and Andrew Vose and Ron McWilliams taking 2 wickets each.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 197 (S.Fishwick 27, S.Denton 30, D.Phillips 59) lost to Mt Martha 274 (M.Mitic 4/77, A.Vose 2/69, R.McWilliams 2/54)

The 7th XI was led by Bob Kent who gave everyone a chance with both bat and ball. The team never made the finals, but it was competitive, and a number of its players moved up to the 6th team during the Season. The team was mainly a group of players who had been around for a while, but it would be wrong to call them a veteran team because Chris Firth (Jr) and Sean Kelly were two juniors who played during the Season. However, when we talk about Bob Kent, Bob Hindle, John Black and Sarg, maybe the "veteran" description is not far from the mark.

Season's Results :

Justin Bridgeman won the President's Award , Steve Griffin with his 300 plus runs and 39 wickets, won the Player of the Year Trophy , Gordon McLeod won (again) the Wayne Ross Batting Award for the 1sts Batsman of the Season, and the Ray Vivian Bowling Award was won by Cameron Park.

Players who achieved personal goals during the Season were :

150 Games
Gordon McLeod

200 Wickets
Wayne Ross

100 Games
Peter Watson
Peter Worland

100 Wickets
Steve Griffin,
Cameron Park
Dave Phillips

2500 Runs
Lindsay Batey

2000 Runs
Peter Conell

1000 Runs
Steve Fishwick,
Bob Kent
Craig Small

50 Wickets
Daniel Watts

50 Games
Greg Carbis,
Chris Firth,
Richard Hall,
Cameron Park,
Danny Quinn

Centuries :
121 Richard Carter
116 Alistair Black
113 Matthew Parkinson
111 Peter Conell
110 Ron McWilliams
108 Mick Pollard
102 Justin Bridgeman

Bowling :
7/17 John Black
7/42 Gareth Park

Leading Batsmen and Bowlers for the Season were :

Runs :
485 Justin Bridgeman
401 Steve Denton
374 Mick Pollard
368 Ron McWilliams
362 Paul Jones
356 David Buckley
349 Matthew Parkinson
330 Lindsay Batey
312 Stuart McLeod
311 Dave Phillips
304 Steve Griffin
297 Bob Hough
292 Peter Conell
283 Richard Carter
281 Shane Brown
280 Neil Stirling
275 Adam Chubb
271 Craig Thomas
265 Steve Fishwick
230 Sheehan Simmons
223 Gary Housley
206 Gordon McLeod
203 Chris Burke
191 Craig Small
184 Cameron McLeod
180 Alan Splatt
178 Christopher Firth (Jr) and Doug Van Raay
175 Bob Kent and Gareth Park
170 Aaron Wright
167 Chris Firth
163 Wayne Carter
158 Simon Leighton

Wickets :
39 Steve Griffin
31 Greg Pretty
28 Peter Worland
27 John Denton
25 Cameron Park
23 Daniel Watts
20 Gareth Park
19 Bob Hough and Andrew Kitson
17 Wayne Ross and Andrew Vose
16 John Black and Stuart McLeod
15 Gary Measham and Dean Stirling
14 Gary Buckley, Greg Carbis and Ron McWilliams
12 Marty Kelly, Geoff Sargant and Norm Stickland
11 Mick Mitic, Neil Stirling and Doug Van Raay

Juniors

The Long Island Cricket Club Junior teams continued to be successful, enjoying without a doubt the longest successful run of Finals appearances AND Premierships. Following it's Under 16 Premiership of last Season, we took out the Under 16 East Premiership in 1988/89. This team was a formidable combination, led by Stuart McLeod and Doug Van Raay, and consisting of probably the most lethal Junior batsmen on the Peninsula, in Mick Pollard. With one of the most correct and hardest to dismiss batsmen in Shane Brown adding support, and the huge talent of Gareth Park, plus the up-and-coming spinner in Greg Lamb supporting the three leaders, it was no wonder that we were able to take the number 1 prize yet again. In the Semi-Final, we played Baden Powell which batted magnificently to score 5/244. None of our bowlers made much of an impression and the total appeared to be pretty formidable. Doug Van Raay (69) had other ideas, and got the innings away to a great start. Our other batsmen joined in and, showing no respite, we reached 7/266 - a great fighting victory. In the Grand Final, we played the very competitive Seaford. Mick Pollard and Shane Brown opened the batting, and in just short of an hour, Mick had posted his Century. This was not uncommon for this player; he had played in the 1st XI during the Season, had scored a Senior Century and during the Junior Season, scored 196 runs in a morning's play. To Seaford's credit, they didn't throw the towel in, despite Shane and "Finn" getting 50's. Still our 251 was a good Junior score, and would take a bit of catching. While Seaford got away to a good start, Greg Lamb and Gareth Park put the breaks on, started to pick up wickets, and the title was soon ours.

Grand Final :

The Under 16 Central team also had a great Season and their Season culminated with the Premiership. We played Langwarrin in the Grand Final and started in the best of fashions by winning the toss. Adam Chubb and Nick Hough got the team away to a reasonable start with 20 for the opening partnership, but at 3/39 things weren't the greatest and when Luke Hindle departed at 4/84, the game was evnly poised. But Dean Stirling hit a great 107 and with solid support from "Butch" Thomas (29) and Steve Wisniwski (19) we scored 6/224 after 50 overs. That total was far too great, especially when "Breezer" McLeod (3/36) and Gary Measham (2/42 off 18 overs) kept it tight in the early stages. Three run outs were a feature of the Innings, and we cruised to victory when Langwarrin was dismissed for 144.

Grand Final :

We fielded two Under 14 teams, one in the East Grade, and the second in the Central Grade. Both teams were competitive finishing just out of the Four. Good performers for the Season were John Georgiou, Mark Sargant, Nathan Ross, Cameron Bicknell, Steve Meddings, Kieran Worland and Danny Holden.

The Under 12's also did well with Baden McWilliams, Peter Kelly, David Splatt and Paul Henderson among the young up-and-comers of the future.

Juniors who did well throughout the Season were:

Under 16's
Steve Wisniewski 4/16 , Stuart McLeod 4/8 (inc. double hat-trick) and 68 , Doug Van Raay 5/24, 66, 5/8 and 69, Gareth Park 53, 5/20, 5/29 and 54 , Shane Brown 52, 54 and 58 not out, Craig Thomas 4/6 , Mick Pollard 197, 157, 121 not out and 101 , Dean Stirling 4/28, 65 & 107 and Greg Lamb 4/28 .

Under 14's
John Georgiou 51, 50, 50, 4/8 and 50, Kieran Worland 6/20 (inc. hat-trick), Danny Holden 6/4 , Cameron Bicknell 4/15, 4/6 and 4/18 , Steve Meddings 52 not out, Mark Sargant 50 not out , Andrew Kelly 50 not out, Nathan Ross 4/25 and Mark Perry 4/18

Under 12's
Peter Kelly 4/8 and Michael Godfrey 4/13

During the Season Doug Van Raay, Stuart McLeod and Dean Stirling represented the Mornington Peninsula Schoolboys while Doug and Finn represented the MPCA in the Under 16 teams. Former player, Graham Vose - now with Karingal - was selected in the MPCA Country Week team which won the 1st Division Premiership.

Life Memberships were awarded to Les Thomas - "the Little Aussie Battler" - and Peter Worland. Thommo is the only senior player to hit the winning run in a 1st XI Grand Final. The reluctant, reticent "Thommo" was always a hard man to persuade to don the whites, but the overalls and tools were a completely different thing - once he got an idea in his head - "the job's done". Peter joined the Club late in the 1978/79 Season and was an instant hit, both on the field, and in the speech-making department, when he spoke for a record 15 minutes a time at the Senior Presentation Night - AND he was awarded 4 trophies! Peter had looked after Junior teams for a number of years and was a fine Clubman, serving on the Committee and Executive for most of his time.