Woodend Cricket Club has the enviable record of being the only one to win FIVE successive top grade (now known as McIntyre Cup) premierships in the Gisborne association.
Memories of this remarkable era came flooding back with a special reunion of the now ‘old timers’ who were part of this proud club’s absolute glory days.
The invitation-only function took place on Saturday, January 21, at Gilbert Gordon Oval, where Woodend defeated Romsey by nine runs in a see-saw McIntyre 1sts one-day encounter.
The reunion was the idea of relatively new WCC president Dan Heaney, who entrusted the legendary Kevin Sullivan to fully research the history of the remarkable premiership run from 1961-62 to 1965-66.
There were 16 different cricketers spread across the club’s premiership teams, with nine now deceased.
Outstanding cricketer-footballer Peter ‘Polly’ Barker captained all five premiership sides, and he enjoyed the reunion and celebrated at his 90th birthday party later that evening as well.
Jim Godden, Denis Wheeler, John Shaw and Sullivan are the others with the ‘five in a row flags’ who are still alive.
Godden and the late Harold ‘Porridge’ Richardson, who played in four of the five premierships, shared vice-captain duties.
GDCA secretary Callum Jackman congratulated Woodend on its reunion initiative in the unavoidable absence of president Simon Overden.
There were only eight GDCA teams — Sunbury had two — competing in the 1960s.
Sullivan spelt out individual highlights of the five premierships, as Woodend began the winning streak by accounting for Gisborne, then Sunbury, Macedon, Riddell and Romsey.
It was a remarkable period, and fast bowler Graham Cox who captured 6-15 against Gisborne, Alan ‘Pud’ Williams and Ian Shiner — who travelled from Avenel — were present to share in their recollections of some of the wins.
Sullivan said it was great to see representatives of some other clubs also in attendance; they included Tom Sankey and Peter Gardiner (Gisborne), Colin Hughes (Macedon), Noel Shaw (Romsey), Gerard Nolan (Riddell) and Bill West (Lancefield).
Sankey was a tremendous sportsman for Gisborne, and is the only footballer to win four Bowen Medals (best and fairest in the Riddell League).
There were sombre reflections on those who could not be present due to serious health issues; they were certainly missed.
All who attended appreciated the hospitality and afternoon tea.
Godden, who is a fit 90-year-old living in Bendigo, made cricket and football look relatively easy. He won the Riddell League’s Bowen Medal with 26 votes in 1962.
FOOSCRAY CONNECTIONS
Sullivan also threw some light on the number of former top cricketers in Woodend, and the GDCA, who had played senior football with Footscray (now Western Bulldogs).
Gisborne’s Alex Gardiner topped the billing with 91 games.
Others mentioned included Ron Howard, Jack Gray (both Riddell), Kevin Jackman, Graham Cox, and Peter Barker.
