1989/90

At the Club's Annual General Meeting we resolved to select the best coach available, with discipline being high on the list of pre-requisites. The mood of the AGM was to again field seven teams and to revamp the Fee Structure of the Club. Peter Watson was again President, Peter Worland Vice President, Gordon McLeod became Secretary and Wayne Ross tried his hand as Treasurer. The Committee comprised Les Thomas, Bob Hough, Gary Buckley, David Crompton, Bob Kent and Alan Splatt. With Bob Martin unavailable to Coach the Club due to work committments, Kevin Prendergast was appointed as Coach of the Club, coming from Frankston YCW where his feats, including the District Best Player Award in 1987/88, especially with the ball - although Prendy did score 170 in the District 1st Grade - were well known to the Club. Kevin was spoken to by both Peter Watson and Wayne Ross before he agreed to lead the Club, and his knowledge of the game and his ideas were excellent.

While it is history that the 1sts finished in last position and we were relegated to the Sub-District Grade, Prendy's efforts and his work were not deserving of the result. In fact, a number of members who made noises at the AGM about the need for more disipline, were the main offenders when discipline was attempted to be instilled. Prendy's on-field deeds with the ball were exceptional, with 31 wickets for the Season, although his feats with the willow need not be recorded in this journal.

The Committee decided that it would go against the mood of the AGM and entered six teams in the MPCA, because it became aware that a number of players from the previous Season were not that keen to don the flannels in 1989/90. The Committee failed to take into account the interest in cricket which was generated by Alan Border's Ashes-winning team in England over the winter. Players, including numerous new ones came out of the woodwork to play the game. Luckily there was an uneven number of senior teams in the MPCA, so we were permitted to field the seventh team. As it was, we could probably have fielded another (eighth) team.
While the Fee Structure took some time to work out, we got it straight finally, and managed to secure payments from all players for the Season. Off the field, Long Island started the Season with a financial deficit, but with the motto "you have to spend money to make money", we gave Les Thomas a free-hand (well almost!). A new Scoreboard - definitely the best on the Peninsula - a Sponsor's Board, a Result Board, the Ladies' Committee Notice Cabinet, new carpet and a host of other odds and ends were the result of Thommo's initiatives - no wonder that he didn't have the time to play! The formation of the Ladies' Committee was a huge plus for the Club, with Chris Watson as President, Firth as Secretary and Viv Sargant as Treasurer as the main office-bearers, and Chris Hough, Helen Van Raay, Ann Harley, Leah Pretty, June Farnham, Rhonda Ross as the main support group. The Social arrangements and after match meals were superb, and these ladies did the Club proud, and showed a few of us that there are places in a Cricket Club for women, especially the calibre of the Ladies' Committee of the Long Island Cricket Club.

On the field, the Club's fortunes were mixed to say the least. Four of our senior teams made the Finals, but the 1sts finished on the bottom. The Club saw a number of new players during the Season - Wayne Barr, Charles Boudville (South Melbourne), Gavin Daniel, Chris Duff, Randall Gibson (Karingal), Peter Gordon, Rob Hatherall, Doug Heller, Mick Humphrey, Michael Maher, Kieran McCluskey (Pines), Mark O'Neill (Somerville), Kevin Prendergast (Frankston YCW), Mal Ritchie, Paul Rudd, Rob Sanders, Gary Simpson, Rod Spalding, Paul Taylor and Mark Webb (Baxter). In addition, Trevor Bailey resumed, as did Gerry McDonald, Steve Reynolds and Danny Salt. Junior graduates Neil Kent, Sean Kelly and Sam Griffiths rejoined the Club also.

Players who left the Club were Alistair Black (13 games), Nobby Brown - 57 games, 1279 runs [Highest Score 104] and 6 wickets, Chris Burke - 38 games, 863 runs [Highest Score 109] & 5 wickets, Paul Carroll - 22 games and 38 wickets at 18.66%, Brett Cook (16 games), Josh Crompton (5 games), John Denton - 88 games, 603 runs [Highest Score 60 not out] and 127 wickets at 17.04%, Larry Fisher (11 games), Simon Fisher (10 games), Andy Gilroy-Scott - 97 games, 1746 runs [Highest Score 108] and 6 wickets, Alex Kerley (4 games), Simon Leighton - 23 games, 697 runs with a Highest Score of 108 not out, Bruce Lott (8 games), Bob Martin - 27 games, 771 runs [Highest Score 170 not out] at 32.13% and 7 wickets, Mike McDonald - cleared to Karingal during last Season - 73 games, 1927 runs [Highest Score 122] at 26.76% & 28 wickets, Ben Parkinson (4 games), Danny Quinn - 50 games, 813 runs and 37 wickets, Troy Simmons -18 games and 31 wickets at 12.10%, Jason Smith (4 games), Neil Stirling - 87 games, 1890 runs [Highest Score 106 not out] at 25.20% & 42 wickets at 21.81%, Kevin Stokes (Mornington) - 115 games, 1389 runs [Highest Score 99 not out] and 128 wickets at 22.14%, Les Thomas - 132 games, 2634 runs [Highest Score 93] at 20.90% and 6 wickets and David Worrall -9 games and 18 wickets.

1st XI :
The 1sts finished on the bottom of the ladder with 2 wins and one draw. The hard thing about this was that we were far from the worst team in the Competition, although there were occasions when we played like it. Kevin Prendergast took 31 wickets, Dale McCurdy - after a slow start to the Season - finished with 17 wickets and Paul Jones and Greg Lamb got to double figures. In 12 games though, we only managed to take 93 wickets. On the batting side, Stuart McLeod scored 466 runs in his first full Season with the 1sts, Peter Conell scored 252 runs, Mick Pollard - 204, Justin Bridgeman - 171 - a top effort considering the he played successfully for the MPCA Under 19's, the played the better part of the last half of the Season with Melbourne 2nds. Gary Buckley, last Season's number 11, scored 168 runs while brother Dave made 148.

Season's Results :

Tuckerbag Knockout Cup

2nd XI :
The 2nds looked like making the Finals right throughout the Season until the second-last Round when Frankston YCW won outright. After being in the Four all Season,we dropped to 5th position and were unable to get back. Gordon McLeod captained the team, but he was required in the 1sts during the Season, and Wayne Ross, then Paul Jones filled-in towards the end of the Season. Gareth Park scored 319 runs and Paul Jones made 317. Other good efforts for the Season came from Shane Brown with 268 runs, Peter Worland 176 and Gordon McLeod 175. Paul Jones and Peter Worland took 16 wickets apiece while Kieran McCluskey and Greg Lamb were the only other bowlers who took more than 10 wickets. The 2nds, like the 1st XI, suffered through a lack of strike power, taking only 98 wickets in its 12 games.

Season's results :

3rd XI :
The 3rd XI finished in third position on the ladder, then tied their Semi-Final against the top team, Heatherhill, but because of their lower position on the ladder, we missed the opportunity to move into the Grand Final. To achieve this though was a tremendous effort, considering that for a number of years we went through Seasons with our thirds in "A" Grade without a win. To get so close in a competition which contained the third teams of 8 of the Provincial Clubs was fantastic. Alan Splatt led the team magnificently, scoring 400 runs, and the 14 year-old John Georgiou made 394. Kevin Ryan played in only a few games - he was promoted to the 1sts - but he scored 257 runs, Aaron Wright got 176, Cameron McLeod 161, Andrew Kitson 145 and Lindsay Batey scored 141. Greg Carbis had a tremendous Season with the ball, taking out the Bowling Award with 25 wickets, Wayne Ross took 17, Andrew Kitson got 16 and Cameron McLeod took 13.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 232 (A.Wright 78, L.Batey 40, C.McLeod 30) tied with Heatherhill 232 (G.Carbis 3/49, W.Ross 4/62)

This was a great game of cricket, with Long Island batting first, but failing to bat our overs out on the first day. Aaron Wright was in superb form and scored his highest score for the Club in this innings. "Bish", as usual, looked to have the bowling at his mercy, but threw it away after he reached 40, and towards the end we failed to capitalise on the excellent start. Heatherhill grabbed the ascendancy early on the second day, but Rosso and Cameron McLeod fought back. Alan took the second ball after 60 overs and Kitto and Greg, both bowling very quickly, picked up the four remaining wickets. Unfortunately, they scored just one run too many. Rosso bowled brilliantly with 4/62 off 25 overs.

4th XI :
The 4ths also made the Four, thanks to some very good all-round performances. Paul Denton scored 261 runs, Trevor Ryan got 249, the "Colonel" Paul Rudd scored 246, Richard Hall 202, Gary Housley 200, Roy Watts 186 and Mark Webb scored 156. The bowlers were led by Andrew Vose who took 26 wickets, Gary Measham took 23, Norm Stickland got 14 and Paul Denton had 11 victims for the Season.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 200 (R.Watts 70, R.Hall 39) lost to Heatherhill 9/252 (M.Webb 3/54, A.Vose 2/71)

Heatherhill, which had beaten us comfortably during the Season, won this game quite convincingly although the margin on this occasion was a little closer. While Roy was at the crease, particularly with Richard Hall, we seemed to be in charge, however our other batsmen didn't contribute a great deal, and we knew that 200 was cutting it fine. Our bowlers toiled hard, but we made only a little impression, although Webby's efforts were terrific.

5th XI :
The 5ths finished in third position and had it not been for us losing points for playing an unregistered player (not our fault!), the team could have been on top of the ladder at Season's-end. Bob Hough scored 406 runs, Stuart Doolan got 314, Sean Kelly 264, Mark O'Neill 198, Richard Carter 162, Wayne Carter 160, Daniel Watts 157 and Laurence Hall made 154. Daniel Watts was the best of the bowlers with 22 wickets, Watto gathered 17, Bob Hough took 14, Rob Sanders 12 and Paul Taylor also took 12 wickets.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 9/188 (R.Hough 54no, D.Watts 51) lost to Heatherhill 3/189

Our batting collapsed in our innings, and with the score at 8/55 we were in all sorts. But skipper Bob Hough and the talented Daniel "Digger" Watts had other ideas, and took the score to 158 before "Digger" was dismissed. A further 30 by the last pair showed the top order that making runs was not as impossible as it seemed earlier in the day. With this modest total to score, Heatherhill cruised to that with 7 wickets in hand.

6th XI :
The 6ths made the Finals when they made a magnificent, sustained run at the end of the Season. They were well served by Bob "Pigmy" Bowden who scored 284 runs, Dave "Tex" Phillips with 255, Rob Hatherall 195, Steve Reynolds 193 and Mick Mitic 144. Rod Spalding's first Season with the Club produced 20 wickets, "Tex" took 17 and Ron McWilliams had 14 victims to his credit by the end of the Season.

Season's Results :

Semi-Final :
Long Island 167 (R.Bowden 60, D.Phillips 33) lost to Heatherhill 6/291 (D.Phillips 2/68)

Heatherhill proved far too strong for us in this game. Bob Bowden and "Tex" continued their great form into this game, but unfortunately for us, they were the only two to do so. Over the years, "Tex" has shown just what a great finals performer he is, and his batting and bowling in this match was no exception.

7th XI :
This was the Clayton's side of the Club - the team you have when you weren't to have a team. Having regard to the fact that we weren't going to field this team, their efforts were tremendous. They looked to have a chance of the Finals at one stage, but with players being continually rotated, we dropped off the pace and finished in 6th spot - a pretty good effort. Brilliantly led by Bob Kent who made sure everyone got a fair go, there were some pretty fair efforts - Bob scored 189 runs and took 14 wickets, Bob Hindle scored 147 runs, Peter Gordon 143, Bob Smith 136, John Black made 132 and took 12 wickets, Ray Harley made 125 runs, Ian Thomas did a great job with the ball with 26 wickets and Danny Salt took 18 wickets for this team.

Season's Results :

Highlights of the Season were :

Centuries :
100 David Buckley
105 Stuart McLeod
136 Mick Pollard
169 Paul Jones
105 Doug Van Raay
106 John Georgiou
111 Paul Denton
127 Mark Webb
108 Bob Hough
103 Mick Mitic

Bowling :
7/46 Greg Lamb
7/60 Greg Carbis
8/45 Andrew Vose
7/34 Rod Spalding
Hat-trick Andrew Kitson

Games :
100 Games
Lindsay Batey,
Richard Carter,
Ray Harley,
Ron McWilliams,
Geoff Sargant,
Norm Stickland.

50 Games
Gary Buckley,
Paul Denton,
Steve Fishwick,
Steve Griffin,
Paul Heller,
Bob Hough,
Andrew Kitson,
Mick Mitic,
Greg Pretty,
Peter Ridgway,
Roy Watts.

Major contributors on-field for the Season were :

Runs :
478 John Georgiou
466 Stuart McLeod
440 Alan Splatt
406 Bob Hough & Roy Watts
386 Paul Jones
369 David Buckley
352 Peter Conell
347 Stuart Doolan
332 Sean Kelly
331 Bob Bowden
319 Gareth Park
310 Gordon McLeod
308 Kevin Ryan
300 Gary Housley
277 Richard Hall
275 Mick Pollard
269 Shane Brown & Doug Van Raay
262 Trevor Ryan
261 Paul Denton
259 Dave Phillips
246 Paul Rudd
232 Cameron McLeod
218 Aaron Wright
206 Peter Gordon
198 Mark O'Neill
197 Rob Hatherall & Steve Reynolds
189 Bob Kent
181 Lindsay Batey, Gary Buckley & Mark Webb
179 Richard Carter & Paul Heller
176 Peter Worland
171 Justin Bridgeman
168 Laurence Hall
167 Daniel Watts
162 Adam Chubb
160 Wayne Carter
153 Rob Sanders
152 Andrew Kitson

Wickets :
31 Kevin Prendergast
29 Paul Jones
27 Danny Salt and Andrew Vose
25 Greg Carbis
24 Gary Measham and Ian Thomas
23 Daniel Watts
22 Andrew Kitson, Greg Lamb, Dale McCurdy and Wayne Ross
20 Rod Spalding
18 Cameron McLeod and Peter Worland
17 Dave Phillips
15 Gary Simpson
14 Bob Hough, Bob Kent, Ron McWilliams, Cameron Park and Norm Stickland
13 Paul Taylor
12 John Black, Kieran McCluskey & Rob Sanders
11 Paul Denton and Steve Griffin
10 Gavin Daniel and Craig Thomas

Trophy winners were :

For the first time in the Club's history, the Award went to a non-player. The Season's Best Clubman was awarded to Helen Van Raay, who spent considerable time and effort in the kitchen providing meals after matches, during the One-Day matches, at Clinics or during the Under 13 Twilight Competition, and assisting with the organisation of Social Functions.

Juniors :
The Club's Junior teams again did a magnificent job, with the Under 16 (East) and Under 14 (Central) winning the Premiership in their Grades. Alan Splatt was the Club's Colts Co-ordinator, taking over from Gordon McLeod who had held the position for a considerable time and who had this Season taken on the role of Club Secretary.

Gordon continued to look after the boys though, and coached the victorious Under 16 team, with the assistance of Ian Thomas. This team had a magnificent Season and was represented by Gareth Park (Captain), Cameron McLeod, Adam Chubb, Paul Triffett, Dean Stirling, Gary Measham, Steve Wisniewski (Vice Captain), Greg Lamb, Craig Thomas, Simon Wright and Paul McMillan in the Grand Final, when we played Seaford which batted first and scored 5/124. The fielding of the team was sensational, and three run outs were the highlight. When we batted, we lost a couple of quick wickets, then Paul Triffett hung around for a while. Then Dean Stirling joined Adam Chubb at 3/55 and they took the score past Seaford's total with an over to spare.

Grand Final :

Long Island 3/127 (A.Chubb 60no, D,Stirling 41no) defeated Seaford 5/124

The strength of this team can be related to the fact that Dean Stirling, Adam Chubb, Greg Lamb, Gary Measham, Cameron McLeod and Gareth Park all represented the South Melbourne Cricket Club in the Dowling Shield Competition, who were runners-up to Richmond.

Steve Wisniewski and Paul Triffett played for St Kilda in that competition.

The Under 14's were coached by Alan Splatt, with Stuart McLeod providing support. The Grand Final winning team was Paul Henderson (Captain), David Splatt, Peter Kelly, Jamie Ferguson, Matt Peters, Steven Jones, Brenton Jones, Ian Kent, Jamie Cemm, Jarrod Muir and Ben Lawson. This team looked to be the best team in their Grade, but had to contend with Long Island's third Under 14 team in the Semi-Final. In what proved to be a classic match in which no holds were barred (there was even a "mankad"!), Paul Henderson led his team to victory, but only after the coach brought Kelly and Splatt into the attack with the message to "throw the ball up into the air".

Semi Final :
Long Island (1) 130 (P.Kelly 43, D.Des Barres 2/21, S.Cooper 3/27) defeated
Long Island (2) 100 (Ryan Carter 31, D.Splatt 3/9, P.Kelly 4/8)

In the Grand Final, the boys proved too strong for Pines. Batting first, we lost 3/17 but Peter Kelly and Steve Jones took the score to 56, and with Jamie Cemm adding great support to Steve, we managed a very creditable score. Matt Peters and Steve Jones soon had Pines in strife and the coup de grace was administered by Pete Kelly who completed a great Finals' series with 2/5.

Grand Final :
Long Island 154 (P.Kelly 20, S.Jones 52) defeated
Pines 109 (M.Peters 3/27, S.Jones 3/30, P.Kelly 2/5)

The Club fielded an Under 14 team in the East Grade, and this team performed admirably, finishing in second position. It was beaten in its Semi Final by the eventual Premiers Baden Powell with Andrew Kelly scoring an excellent 59. The team had some top performers during the Season with John Georgiou starring with the bat and scoring 438 runs - a brilliant effort considering that Under 14 cricketers are required to retire at 50.

In his end-of-Season report, Peter Watson stated that "the Club had a fluctuating Season with mixed fortunes on the field, and the 1sts being relegated. Kevin Prendergast as the Senior Coach performed in an exemplary manner and it was not proper that he should shoulder the responsibility. The Club, Committee and Players should all take some responsibility in respect of what happened. Four teams competed in the Semi-Finals - none made it to the Grand Final - however the thirds went close, tying with the opposition. The Club must confront the challenge with determination and elevate ourselves back to District. The Juniors had a most successful Season with two Premierships - congratulations to Alan Splatt our Colts Co-ordinator. With the numbers and talent in our Junior ranks, the Club can look to a bright future. The Club now has to overturn the Season's disappointment and produce a more consistent performance and return the Club to where it rightfully belongs."

Peter Watson was made a Life Member of the Club following substantial services since 1980/81 when he turned up to watch his son (Mark) play cricket in the Under 12's. Watto worked tirelessly for the Club, firstly with the Juniors, then on the Committee, as a Captain and more recently as Practice Captain and President. A great team-man, Club Member and tireless worker - the Award was justly earned.