Almanac Cricket: Eighteen Summers at the Top – Teachers in SACA A Grade District Cricket

“A remarkable chapter of talent, teamwork, and tenacity.”

 

THE ORIGINS

 

The A Grade District phase all began in early 1965, when John Halbert and Howard Mutton were summoned to a meeting in the office of the Adelaide Teachers’ College Principal, Dr Hubert Penny. Neither had any idea of what to expect.

 

John was in his second year as the Physical Education lecturer at the College, having replaced Howard, who had moved to the Physical Education branch of the Education Department the previous year.

 

Inside the principal’s office, a delegation of two South Australian Cricket Association officials joined Dr Penny and the two men. 

 

The SACA, having admitted the Salisbury District Cricket Club into the A Grade competition for the 1965/66 season, was keen to have an even number of teams competing, thereby avoiding a bye. 

 

The officials presented a proposal to promote the Teachers College cricket team from B Grade—where it had competed for many years—into the A Grade competition.

 

The real purpose of the meeting was to ascertain whether Howard (Kensington) and John (Sturt) would be willing to leave their clubs to become the playing President and Secretary of the new A Grade club.

 

Both recognised that for the club to be viable, it would need a critical mass of playing talent. They insisted that a condition of the promotion be that any student enrolled in one of the Teachers Colleges (Adelaide, Murray Park or Western) be required to play for the new club. The SACA agreed.

 

After some consideration, Jack and Howard decided it was a worthwhile initiative. With support from the Adelaide Teachers College, they enlisted George Peters (the College officer in charge of grounds), who in turn motivated the curator, Harold Frick, to prepare wickets up to A Grade standard. The home ground was set as the existing Teachers College Oval on McKinnon Parade (Bundey’s Paddock) in the North Parklands — an ideal setting, ready-made for A Grade competition. The iconic grandstand built in 1930 and the nearby practice wickets, where Teachers College teams had been playing fixtures since around that time, added to its appeal.

 

With Howard as President and Captain-Coach and Jack as Secretary and SACA Delegate, preparations were hurriedly made for the 1965/66 season.

 

The club’s first A Grade game was played against Woodville at the Teachers College Oval on McKinnon Parade, on 9 and 16 October 1965. Notables in the team included Joe Tyney, Jeff Kowalick and Ron Davis.

 

Woodville won convincingly: 3/147 declared and 2/96 to Teachers College 90 and 152. By season’s end, the team finished bottom, winning two games.

 

Top run-scorer was Howard Mutton with 472 runs at 31.46, while Jeff Kowalick took 29 wickets at 19.65.

 

The B grade finished 12th (14 teams) while the C grade finished 4th and proceeded to the finals. An outright win against Kensington in the semi-finals was followed by a first innings loss to Glenelg in the Final.

 

THE RISE

 

The rise of the A Grade team was swift. New enrolments brought in names that would become synonymous with the club and South Australian cricket: David Mundy, Kevin Griffith, Trevor Robertson, Malcolm ‘Wacka’ Dawe and Ian Walsh represented an infusion of talented young cricketers.

 

With experienced leadership, the club climbed the ladder. In 1966/67, the A Grade side finished fourth, qualifying for the semi-finals.  

 

That season, Jeff Kowalick took 54 wickets at 12.30, earning selection for South Australia. He played one first-class match against Western Australia on Adelaide Oval. He took 1/58 in the first innings (bowling Colin Milburn for 129) and 0/30 from 3 overs in the second. Unfortunately, he dropped Milburn before he had scored when he put down an easy chance on the fine leg boundary. Of note, Ken Cunningham scored a century in each innings (107 and 101 not out) to guide SA to a 5-wicket win. 

 

In the same season, a teenage Peter Herbert scored the club’s first A Grade century (113 runs) against Woodville. 

 

 

From the Middle: The First Final
by Peter Herbert

 

The hastily cobbled-together Teachers Colleges club had had an unexceptional first season in 1965/66. It was soon to make its mark on the District competition, making the finals in only its second year. 

 

Amongst other acquisitions to the A-grade side was the Port Adelaide prodigy, David Mundy, to bolster the pace-bowling department. He reinforced an already good attack of Jeff Kowalick, Ron Davis, and Kevin Griffiths, the former two regularly opening the bowling.

 

The side lined up against SACA powerhouse, Prospect, in the semi-final, but strangely the game was scheduled at the Teachers’ ground and not at Prospect, who had finished higher on the ladder. 

 

Prospect won the toss and elected to bat. Conditions were fine. It was an 11.00 a.m. start, as was usual for finals matches. But as 11.00 a.m. approached and the College bowlers ‘warmed up’, there was great concern in the camp: where was Ron Davis? At 10.55 am he still hadn’t appeared! To their great credit, Prospect allowed a substitute fieldsman, Brian Tyson, to make up the eleven. (Tyson then took a catch early in the innings). Meanwhile Davis, back home in the hills, was enjoying a leisurely breakfast before he came down to the plains for the usual 1.00 pm start. He arrived just before lunchtime.

 

Despite Davis’s absence, College made rapid inroads, the Prospect innings starting disastrously – they were quickly 3 for 9. At that stage, their captain, the former State player John Ducker, made his way to the crease. In his first over, he played back and was hit on the ankle in front of middle stump. To the dismay of the entire Teachers College side their appeals fell on the deaf ears of the umpire. Ducker went on to make 64 which hauled Prospect to 228. In reply, College innings reached only 209 – a disappointing end.

 

It was the start of a long stretch of years, a decade or so, when the Teachers Colleges side was a constant threat to others in the District competition. The very next season, 1967/68, the team would have played finals but in the last minor-round game (against Prospect (!) at College) a simple chance was dropped which cost the side a finals berth. Nourse was put down, went on to score 64, and Prospect narrowly won the match.

 

It could be said that 64 was not a favourite number for the Teachers Colleges team!

 

In the case of the Ducker ‘not out’ decision, it has to be said that for at least the 1960s and right through to the late 1980s, the umpiring was of a high standard – even if at times LBW decisions were extremely hard to come by. Not many bowlers took up umpiring. 

 

Peter Herbert – Adelaide Oval: Peter Herbert batting for South Australia on Adelaide Oval in 1971/72 in one of his four first-class appearances. All occurred in that season and all while an East Torrens player.

 

Despite this momentum, the club plateaued in 1967/68 (7th) and 1968/69 (8th). Kowalick’s departure left a gap in the bowling. In 67/68, David Mundy carried the batting with 477 runs at 53.00, winning the SACA Craigie Memorial Trophy for best A Grade batting average.

 

New talent in 1969/70—Don Sutherland, John Nash, Lindsay Bowey and John Donaldson—set the club on a path to sustained success. In 70/71, they were joined by Andrew Sincock, Mark Eaton and Kim Harris.  

 

For the 69/70 season, the A Grade side finished sixth. Semi-finals were not played; the top two teams, East Torrens and Prospect, contested the final, with Prospect victorious. 

 

Don Sutherland (564 runs at 40.28) and David Mundy were selected to play for South Australia.

 

 

THE PEAK

 

The 1970s marked the club’s most successful era—regular finals appearances, consistent high-level performance and numerous state representatives.

 

In 1970/71, the A Grade team reached the final after defeating East Torrens in the semi-final (295 and 7/145 to 139). In the final, a dominant Prospect side won comfortably (343 and 1/75 to 155).

 

From the Middle: The First Grand Final – 1970/71
Based on articles by Ray Barber (Sunday Mail), Keith Butler and Sylv Phelan (The Advertiser).

 

Jack Halbert took over the A Grade captaincy from Howard Mutton for the 1970/71 season. “That year we had a very good team, to play off in the Grand Final against Prospect. They were extremely strong,” Halbert recalled.

 

Halbert had an excellent season, scoring 483 runs at 32.20—runner-up to Barry Richards in the A Grade batting aggregate. Kevin Griffith took 52 wickets at 16.69; Andrew Sincock 29 at 16.03; and Jim Dolman 26 at 17.53.

 

The team finished fourth after the minor round with one outright and six first-innings wins. After comfortably defeating East Torrens in the semi-final (295 and 7/145 to 139), they faced the daunting task of playing Prospect at Adelaide Oval.

 

In perfect conditions, a large crowd gathered. Ray Barber (Sunday Mail) estimated “more than 1,000,” while Sylv Phelan (The Advertiser) reported “1,500 were there… expecting to see [Richards] get his inevitable century.”

 

Prospect captain Bob Blewett won the toss and batted.

 

Things began poorly for Teachers. Barber wrote, “The teachers will regret dropping six chances—two in the first 15 minutes.” Phelan was slightly more forgiving: “Robran (48) gave a chance in the slips before he had scored… the first of five that went begging.”

 

Robran was eventually run out by a yard after Kim Harris’s return from short mid-wicket broke the stumps.

 

The crowd’s expectations were raised… “Richards magnificently hit a four through the covers”, then dashed…“Griffith ‘bent one’ and shattered the Springbok’s stumps”. 

 

Bob Gilbourne was the standout for Prospect, scoring a quick 93 in 152 minutes with 14 boundaries. Barber noted he offered only one chance—“a hot return” to spinner Jim Dolman. Phelan described his dismissal as a “magnificent falling catch” by Teachers’ keeper John Donaldson—his third of the match, putting him ahead of Mike Hendricks for most wicketkeeping dismissals that season.

 

Keith Butler’s next-day headline read: “Teachers Set Huge Task for Victory.” He was doubtful: “A total of 343 is moderate, but for Teachers College… it will require their highest score of the season.”

 

Yet Halbert remained optimistic: “We must get a sound start. If we lay a foundation, players like Don Sutherland, John Nash, Kim Harris, Lindsay Bowey and myself must finish the job.”

 

Butler offered mixed appraisals:

 

“Sutherland, a dashing left-hander, has only 99 runs from his last nine innings.”

“Halbert is in peak form, Nash is one of the State’s most promising players.”

“Bowey showed potential but ended the season with scores of 5, 6, 5, 3 and 33.”

“Harris has been consistent but struggles with concentration after getting a start.”

“Halbert rates young opener Darryl Dolling highly and sees depth with Griffith and Donaldson.”

 

By lunch on Day Two, a Teachers’ win looked unlikely. Barber’s headline: “Teachers to Avert Collapse.” He reported they lost three wickets for 58 before lunch.

 

Their start was cautious—22 balls before the first run. Donaldson (5) edged Hammond to keeper Phil O’Meara. Dolling (1) sparred at a rising ball from Graham “Clacker” Clarke; Barrie Robran took a stunning left-handed catch at third slip. Clarke had 1/0 in his third over. Wickets fell at 6, 6, and 34.

 

Sutherland and Harris struggled with their running between wickets. Harris (10 off 74 minutes) fell trying to hook; O’Meara took his second catch.

 

Nash briefly lifted the tempo, reaching double figures quickly. The team’s 50 came after 107 minutes. At lunch: Teachers 3/58, with Sutherland on 17* and Nash 21*.

 

They were eventually dismissed for 155. Prospect batted again, closing at 1/75.

 

In the end, a resounding and comprehensive win for Prospect.

 

 

In that season, Don Sutherland and John Nash were selected for the South Australian side, which went on to win the Sheffield Shield. Outstanding batting performances came from John Halbert (483 runs at 32.20), John Nash (463 at 27.23) and Don Sutherland (436 at 24.22). Kevin Griffith took 52 wickets at 16.59, while newcomer Andrew Sincock claimed 29 wickets at 16.03.

 

In 1971/72, the team finished third and lost the semi-final to Kensington. Despite no centuries, Lindsay Bowey led with 456 runs at 35.07 and won the West End Trophy (441 runs at 40.09). Leading bowlers were Kevin Griffith (33 at 23.84), Jim Dollman (31 wickets at 17.06) and John Manuel (31 at 19.29). 

 

The 1972/73 A Grade side missed the finals (8th), while the C Grade qualified for finals, losing their semi-final to East Torrens outright. 

 

John Nash and John Donaldson represented South Australia. Both, along with Andrew Sincock, were selected for the State’s Colts side (John Nash as captain). 

 

Donaldson scored 588 runs at 32.66, winning the West End Trophy for the highest batting average. Other key contributors: Bowey (469 at 21.31), Nash (446 at 24.77) and Kim Harris (398 at 44.22). Griffith (52 wickets at 17.84) and Sincock (45 at 19.08) led the bowling.

 

 

From the Middle: Tail Between His Legs’ – KG’s onslaught-1969/70
by John Halbert

 

We (Teachers College) were playing an A Grade game against Adelaide, and we were not going at all well. I was batting and at the bowler’s end when a young Kim Harris came into bat.

 

Kim had just come to the club from Adelaide, where Ken Cunningham was associated for many years. Ken was playing for Adelaide in this game.

 

When Kim arrived at the wicket, Ken gave him the greatest burst of profanity and abuse I’d ever heard.

 

Kim was pretty nervous because this was his first game with the club. He was playing and missing. Ken was into him, just abusing him. I said to Ken as he walked past on the way back to his bowling mark, “Do you really have to do that? You don’t have to do that.”

 

It made no difference, Ken continued, until ultimately Kim got out. Ken then gave him the worst mouthful with all the profanities you could ever imagine as he was walking off. 

 

I said to Ken, “That has got nothing to do with the game of cricket. It’s disgusting.”

 

We were eventually dismissed and returned to the change room for the change of innings before Adelaide batted in its second innings.

 

While we were sitting in our change rooms, Ken came in from the opposition rooms next door.

 

He said to me, “John can we borrow some equipment, please. Unfortunately, our team manager has left with his car to see another team and he’s got our equipment. We have none, can we borrow some of yours?” 

 

I was hot, I’d lost my cool. I said, “No, you can’t. You can’t talk to one of my players, who was in fact one of your players as a junior. The abuse you gave him today is something worse than I’ve ever heard before. The answer is no, you can’t borrow any of our equipment.”

 

Ken turned, appearing stunned, he slowly walked away with his tail between his legs back to the Adelaide rooms.

 

It was quite interesting because Adelaide had very little equipment. They made do with the private equipment among the players. It was amusing to watch as each batsman came in wearing one pad and one batting glove. 

 

We didn’t have long to play; nevertheless, it was funny while it lasted. 

 

Not many years ago, I was at a function at which Ken was interviewed about his cricket career. In response to a question, he said, “There’s one incident that I’m really ashamed of.”

 

He then related virtually word-perfect what had happened on that particular occasion when he took exception to Kim Harris. 

 

I respected him for what he said. He could have forgotten about that incident and never mentioned it again. He took the blame for what had happened and said, “I was a disgrace, I behaved unfairly and badly, and quite rightly I was pulled into line by Halbert.”

 

From the Middle: ‘Let It Go’ – Mark Eaton – 1971/72
Based on an account by John Nash

 

Teachers College is playing an A Grade game on their main ground (off McKinnon Parade in North Adelaide). Teachers College is in the field. John Halbert is the team’s captain.

 

A young Mark ‘Moth’ Eaton has just joined the club from Prospect. John has stationed him on the boundary. A ball off the bowling of leg spinner Jimmy Dolman is played in Moth’s direction. As there is some urgency on the part of the batsmen to score runs quickly, they run the first run hard and are looking for a second.

 

Moth, sensing the importance of the moment, makes good ground towards the ball to prevent the batsman from taking the second run. John Halbert, from his position at mid on, observes that Moth has a very good chance of preventing a second. As an act of encouragement for Moth to throw the ball in quickly, John yells out, ‘Let it Go’.

 

Moth, ever alert and keen to impress his captain, follows the instruction to the letter. As he is bending down to pick up the ball, rather than closing his hands around it, he quickly pulls them up to allow the ball to continue on its passage over the boundary line. In the process, he turns what was going to be a single into a four. 

 

As Moth sheepishly returns the ball to the keeper, Jack Halbert throws his hat to the ground in frustration and proceeds to stomp on it.

 

Mark Eaton-1973/74: Mark Eaton (1971-1976) ‘The Long Walk’- January 1974 – College Oval.

 

Finals losses followed in 1973/74 (semi-final loss to Glenelg after finishing 2nd) and 1974/75 (a semi-final loss to East Torrens, 233 to Student Teachers 219). 

 

The 1973/74 SACA District Cricketer of the Year and the West End Trophy were won by Andrew Sincock with 60 wickets at 14.33.

 

Key performances in 1974/75: John Donaldson (498 runs at 35.57), Ian Hume (48 wickets at 14.97) and Sincock (35 at 11.25).

 

From the 74/75 season the club became known as Student Teachers to reflect the redesign of Teachers Colleges as Colleges of Advanced Education. The name CAE aligned with the broadened curriculum beyond teacher education.

 

 

From the Middle: Ten For’s Denied: ‘Great levelling’ tales from the Middle
by Andrew Sincock

 

I never went to Adelaide Teacher’s College.  My academic studies were completed at the University of Adelaide.

 

When in Year 11 I signed a document committing me, after graduation, to a minimum of three years as a teacher. 

 

As required by SACA by laws, I joined the Teachers Cricket Club. I was already playing A Grade for Kensington, having started as a 15-year-old at the end of Year 10.

 

The Teachers College team was young, but under the seasoned leadership of Jack Halbert, we played ‘without fear’.

 

In the 1970s, there were only eight Sheffield Shield games a year, so State and Test players were regularly available for club cricket. International legends such as Gary Sobers and Barry Richards added serious quality to the competition. Some Teams had multiple State players, routinely testing the metal of the young Teachers.

 

We had many fine players and were able to take games right up to District Clubs.

 

Apart from some poor efforts from me at backward point, our fielding was generally excellent.

 

With Nash on one side of the wicket and Bracegirdle on the other, the field was difficult to pierce.  

 

On Saturday against Glenelg – who were stacked with talent, including two Chappells, McCarthy and a few other State players – Ian Chappell was trying to whack me through the covers.

 

Jack Nash flashed across the turf and kept fielding the ball and firing returns to John Donaldson – one of the best wicket keepers I bowled to. 

 

At one point, Ian yelled, “F—k you Nashy!”

 

Nash fired back, ‘And f–k you Bertie’.

 

 Next ball Ian missed one from me and was bowled. 

 

“Thanks for that wicket Nashy!”

 

I told this story at Kevin Griffith’s funeral. 

 

In a game against West Torrens, I had nine wickets when Griff began an over at the last batter. I’ve never seen anyone try so hard to get a wicket. As luck would have it, the batter edged one to me at second slip. And, unfortunately for him, I held onto it.

 

Griff just said, “Sorry Andrew”. He never called me “Evil” –  of course he didn’t mean it. But he stopped me getting all ten wickets.

 

Cricket levels you at some stage. A few years later, Griff was playing for Adelaide University in a game against Prospect. He had taken all nine wickets and was in the field when the final batter hit a catch straight to him.  He took it – and missed out on the ten!

 

The batter must have known about the earlier incident and was just trying to even the ledger.

 

I loved my days at Teachers. After a long career, I still smile at the memories of a great bunch of cricketers.

 

I’m glad I signed that document. It meant leaving a District club, but it also meant I became a proud former player of the Teachers Cricket Club.

 

Andrew Sincock bowling at practice as an East Torrens player in the week leading up to the 1975/76 Grand Final against Student Teachers at Adelaide Oval

 

In 1975/76, despite having lost key players—John Nash (to East Torrens-73/74), Andrew Sincock (also to East Torrens) and Jack Halbert (retired mid-season)—the A Grade side reached the finals. They defeated Kensington in the semi-final (364 to 143 and 0/48) but a poor batting performance saw East Torrens claim the final (9 dec. for 260 to 118 and 2/96). For East Torrens, Jeff Hammond made 103. While Daryl Lambert demolished the Teachers’ lower order with figures of 6/29 from 11 overs. John Donaldson top scored with 31. 

 

Ironically, Sincock, Nash, Peter Herbert, Malcom Dawe and Neil Edwards—former or future Student Teachers players—played for East Torrens.

 

Outstanding batting performances came from John Donaldson (560 runs at 43.07), Brent Farquhar (469 at 36.07) and Mark Eaton (448 at 34.46). Donaldson won the C.W. Walker Wicket-Keeping Trophy.

 

The C Grade finished second but lost the semi-final to Sturt.

 

 

From the Middle: ‘The Final Final’ – 1975/76
by John Donaldson

 

By the mid-seventies, a new generation was making its mark: Brent Farquhar, Peter Giles, Mark Eaton, Mark Pavlich, Peter Groves, Rob Donaldson and Graeme Fielke brought fresh energy and skill to the team.

 

Jim Dolman also returned to provide leadership in the leg-spin department. On the downside, the post-Christmas retirement of John Halbert—ending his long cricket career to coach Sturt Reserves—was a significant loss.

 

The young side proved competitive all season, winning seven matches on the first innings to qualify for finals.

 

After a convincing semi-final win over Kensington, we faced a strong East Torrens side in the Grand Final, captained by Bob Blewett.

 

Unfortunately, opening bowler Ian Roxby—who had taken four wickets in the semi-final—was unavailable. His absence weakened our attack, and Trevor Richardson was recalled from his teaching post in Millicent to fill the gap.

 

The press predicted Student Teachers would buckle under East Torrens’ pressure.

 

East Torrens batted first and posted 260, built around a 130-run stand between Hammond (103) and Verco (55). Dawe (32) and Sincock (25) added useful late runs. Our bowlers were disciplined and economical—conceding under three runs per over—but lacked penetration. Rob Donaldson returned the best figures with 3/34 from 13 overs.

 

On the second morning, after losing two early wickets, Mark Eaton (29) and I added 50 before disaster struck: we were both dismissed just five minutes before lunch. We never recovered. After the break, the side faltered against the experience of Lambert (6/29) and Blewett (2/33) and we were bowled out for 118.

 

Our second innings was anticlimactic. Forced to follow on, we reached 2/96 when the match was called off. I remained 59 not out.

 

It was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season. Still, there were enough team and individual highlights to build hope for the following year.

 

Two memories stand out:

 

First, Bob Blewett halted play to demand I remove my State cap and wear the club cap. The umpires dismissed the complaint—it was a signature Blewett stunt.

 

Second, at lunch on day two, East Torrens supporters were already celebrating, selling ‘Premiers 75–76’ memorabilia. It was somewhat galling, but perhaps forgivable—it was the club’s first premiership in 40 years.

 

From the Middle: 1975/76 Grand Final “You Won’t Believe Me”
based on an account by Mark ‘Moth’ Eaton

 

After the toss on the first morning, Student Teachers players were already out on the Adelaide Oval, warming up when Brent Farquhar and Peter Groves strolled onto the ground—half an hour late.

 

Captain John Donaldson was far from impressed. He marched over and demanded an explanation.

 

Brent simply shrugged, grinned, and said, “You won’t believe it,” before joining the others in the warm-up.

 

At the end of the day’s play, Donaldson cornered the pair again and pressed them for the full story.

 

As they explained it: driving down Main North Road, about 5 or 6 kilometres from the ground, a kangaroo suddenly bounded out in front of their car. With no chance to avoid it, they struck the animal.

 

They pulled over, jumped out, and found the kangaroo lying motionless on the road. Assuming it was only stunned, they stood by and waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the kangaroo regained its senses, got to its feet, and bounded off down a side road.

 

Satisfied their car was undamaged and the kangaroo unhurt, they continued on to Adelaide Oval.

 

After taking it all in, Donaldson paused, gave them a long, sceptical look, and said:

 

“You’re right … I don’t believe you.”

 

1975/76 Grand Final, Jack Nash dismissal for 7, caught by Mark Pavlich at mid-on off the bowling of Ian Hume. John Donaldson is the wicket keeper, and Mark Eaton is standing at first slip.

 

THE DEMISE

 

The club’s fortunes declined rapidly in the late 1970s. In 1976/77, after playing off in the final the previous year, the A Grade team finished last with just one first-innings win. Donaldson (471 runs at 29.43) was the only batsman to average over 25. Ron Davis and Ian Hume took 29 wickets each (at 21.68 and 23.24, respectively). The D Grade finished fourth but lost the semi-final to Kensington. 

 

For the 1977/78 season, Peter Herbert returned (from East Torrens), joining Neil Edwards (who had arrived the previous season). They formed the batting core: Edwards (442 at 44.20), Herbert (441 at 40.09) and Geoff Hall (392 at 30.15). Ron Davis led the bowling with 41 wickets at 19.80.

 

Under Howard Mutton’s captaincy, the B Grade won the premiership, defeating Prospect (310 to 132 and 191). Greg Wyman scored 413 runs at 37.55, including 118. The key bowlers: Bruce Stillwell (35 wickets), Richard Duddy (33), Paul Whaley (29) and Peter Bajcic (22).

 

The C Grade, captained by Evan Katsaros, also won the premiership, defeating Kensington (221 and 2/56 to 88 and 188).

 

Howard Mutton retired at season’s end, having served the club since its A Grade inception.

 

 

From the Middle: ‘Unplayable’ Murray Park – 1977/78
Account by John Donaldson

 

The Club was fortunate to have access to outstanding playing facilities. The main ground (Teachers College No. 1 Oval) was an excellent ground on which to play. It was set in lovely parkland surroundings, with a quaint grandstand, a consistent wicket and a great outfield. 

 

The quality of the facilities is evidenced by Teachers College being a regular winner of The News-sponsored Award in the 1970s for the fastest 150 runs made by a team in the first innings of a game. A good cricket wicket, fast outfield and attacking batsmen (Halbert, Sutherland, Bowey, Nash, Harris, Donaldson, Eaton and others) led to runs being scored quickly.

 

The ground was irrigated from the River Torrens. Over the years, Kikuyu grass gradually invaded the centre wicket, pushing out the couch grass, leading to it not being up to A Grade standard.

 

Finally, action was taken to relay the wicket in 1977, making the ground unavailable for the 1977/78 season. Most of the club’s senior team’s games were scheduled as ‘away’ games. However, the A Grade was forced to play ‘home’ matches at Murray Park Teachers College oval (now the UniSA Magill Campus).

 

Unfortunately, the groundsman wasn’t experienced in pitch preparation and tended to leave the grass longer than normal.

 

In an early season game (November 1977), Student Teachers were to play Sturt at the Murray Park ground.

 

Ken ‘KG’ Cunningham had recently joined Sturt as Captain. I was the Student Teachers’ captain.  After inspecting the wicket and observing the unusually thick grass covering, Ken claimed the pitch was not up to standard and refused to start the game.

 

I disagreed strongly with him, stating that the pitch was prepared the same as for the previous week, which had played satisfactorily.

 

As the captains couldn’t agree, the Umpires (George Thomas and Scott Graham) were left to adjudicate. After coming under considerable pressure from KG, they relented. Bowing to his demands, they abandoned play for the day.

 

KG wasn’t happy to have to play a one-day game the following week (A one-day game limited the opportunity for teams to accrue bonus points, compared to the points for an abandoned game).

 

To demonstrate the wicket was up to A Grade standard, I organised for our players to spend the rest of the day having a centre-wicket practice. As expected, the pitch played well.

 

The umpire’s decision to abandon play for the first day of the match was contentious. The matter was escalated to the SACA Grounds Committee. Members of the Committee (Dave Parkinson and Dick Niehuus) were dispatched to inspect the wicket. After doing their work, they reported “we are satisfied that the wicket had been adequately prepared and was playable”. In addition, they deemed the fact that the game hadn’t started was “an error on the part of the Umpires”.

 

The match was completed as a One-day game the following week in a very tense atmosphere. KG performed well with the ball, taking several wickets, in a game eventually won by Sturt.

 

Sturt finished the minor round clearly in top position. They were defeated in the semi-final by Woodville, the eventual premiers.

 

Fortunately, the following season (1978/79), there was no chance of a repeat of the ‘Unplayable’ incident as the McKinnon Parade Ground was again fit for play. 

 

Peter Herbert became the A Grade captain for 1978/79. It proved to be a horror season for him. Mid-season, after a run of three ‘ducks’ in a row, he dropped himself to the B Grade and handed the captaincy to John Donaldson for a game. 

 

The team slipped to tenth, with Peter Giles (408 runs at 27.00) the top scorer and Ron Davis (28 wickets at 25.39) the leading bowler.

 

At the end of the season, after a decade with the club, John Donaldson returned to West Torrens.

 

The C Grade made the final (losing to Kensington); the D Grade lost their semi-final to Woodville.

 

For the 1979/80 and 1980/81 season’s the A Grade side, now under the captaincy of Ron Davis, finished last (79/80 -one win, 80/81-none).

 

In 1979/80, Neil Edwards was the only batsman to pass 400 runs (537 at 35.80). Ron Davis bowled 295 overs in taking 26 wickets at 27.88.

 

The club won the District Under-23 competition, defeating Glenelg in the final.

 

In 1980/81, no A Grade batsman passed 400 runs. Ron Davis again led with 28 wickets at 20.96.

 

The B Grade reached the final, defeating Adelaide in the semi but going on to lose to Prospect. Ian Clarke (444 at 34.15) and Chris Gore (39 wickets at 12.25) were standouts.

 

The C Grade had no batsman score over 200 runs, and no bowler took more than 15 wickets.

 

The A Grade side did rally in 1981/82 with five first-innings wins and a respectable sixth-place finish. Peter Herbert scored 609 runs at 40.60, earning him the Bradman Medal. No other batsman passed 300 runs. Ron Davis took 44 wickets at 16.80. Paul Whaley contributed 29 wickets at 17.31.

 

In the lower grades, no B Grade batsman exceeded 300 runs or 30 wickets. While the D Grade finished last.

 

Unknown at the time, 1982/83 would be the club’s last season in the SACA District competition. The A Grade performed credibly, but finished outside the top four.

 

Peter Herbert (433 runs at 33.00) was the top scorer. Ian Marsh and Grant Wyman both scored centuries. Ron Davis bowled 311 overs for 52 wickets at 16.69. Paul Whaley was the only other bowler to reach 20 wickets (25 at 27.60).

 

The Under-23s defeated Adelaide University in the final. Graham Lewis contributed 360 runs at 60.

 

The last match as a district club was played in March 1983 against Sturt.

 

From the Middle: ‘The Last Hoorah’ – Under 23 Winners – 1982/83
By Peter Muggleton

 

I was fortunate enough to captain the last premiership side in Student Teachers Cricket Club District competition history, the Under-23 1982/83 winning team.

 

I’m not sure how I became captain with some more senior, experienced players around, including Grant Wyman and Andy Coulter, but it was a task I enjoyed. We had a great bunch of blokes playing.

 

The Under-23 competition, being held on Sunday, could always prove an interesting proposition. There was no shortage of 21st and housewarming parties held on the Saturday night prior. Players were sometimes a little weary from the previous night’s entertainment.

 

I think this may have been the case for the first game against Prospect, where we fell a little short. We couldn’t afford to lose another game if we wanted to play in the final, and we didn’t.

 

What followed were very good wins against Woodville, Port Adelaide and Salisbury to set us up for a final against University.

 

The ‘tertiary teams’ were always quite strong in this competition as most players were either regular A Grade cricketers or at least had some experience at that level. Uni was no exception with two of their players, Gary Davis and Chris Owen, representing the state during their careers.

 

The final was a very tight contest at Adelaide No. 2. Batters including Graham Lewis (70), Barry Nicholls, Grant Wyman and Andy Coulter helped us to a defendable score of 5 for 188.

 

Our spinners, Tony Judd and Tony Carrieri did very good jobs in the middle overs. It all came down to the last over bowled by Russell Gehling. There was a little controversy as the final wicket was a run out with only 17 runs needed.

 

The ball was hit down the pitch and the batters took off. As Russell went to field the ball, the batter ran into him and Russell, being a league footballer at North Adelaide, his first instinct was to tackle him. In the ensuing scuffle, the ball was somehow kicked out to me at short cover. I gathered it, threw it to the bowler’s end, and the run out was completed.

 

After a few protests from the Uni boys, the umpires decided that all was fair, and we were victorious.

 

We celebrated well into Sunday evening.  Bails along with a ‘jock strap’ was burnt in Ian Marsh’s backyard to provide ashes for any further contests. Needless to say, Monday lectures were missed by most.

 

Two photos of the winning team were taken, one clothed, one naked. The nude photo taken in front of the student grandstand on a sunny Sunday afternoon certainly surprised a few onlookers.

 

A great memory of fun times and good blokes!

 

Student Teachers Under 23 Premiers 1982/83
Back L-R: Ron Lock (Manager), Graham Lewis, Peter Tippens, Russell Gehling, Craig Chapman, Tony Carreri, Ian Lock (Scorer)
Front L-R: Grant Wyman, Tony Judd, Peter Muggleton (Captain), Ian Marsh, Barry Nicholls, Andy Coulter

EXIT FROM DISTRICT CRICKET

 

Over time, the club’s declining performances stoked simmering resentments amongst some district club officials.  Some felt their clubs were developing young players only for them to transfer to the ‘student clubs’ (Student Teachers and University) just as they were maturing.

 

Filling teams also became an issue—especially in D Grade, where the last 1981/82 game was forfeited due to insufficient players. In that round, the B Grade (3 players) and C Grade (2 players) played short.

 

Ahead of the 1983/84 season, matters came to a head. For at least 18 months, the Student Teachers club had been communicating with the SACA cricket committee, seeking support with its difficulties.

 

In the end, the club’s final chapter took only a few months and several critical meetings to be written:

 

9 May 1983 – SACA Cricket Committee – Issue raised by Mr. D. (Daryl) Wood – he asked the Student Teachers representatives if the club could still field four teams after being denied its earlier request to select associate members in their four grades.

 

The Representative replied under the present conditions…they see great difficulty in complying with the Rule.

 

14 June 1983 – SACA Cricket Committee –Mr. R. (Ron) Davis put a motion: Persons who are members or associate members of the South Australian College of Advanced Education Student Association are qualified to play for Student Teachers. 

 

The motion was lost.

 

20 June 1983 – SACA and Student Teachers Committee meetings

 

4.00 pm – SACA Special Executive Committee (Messrs. Crichton – Chairman, D. Wood, Bowley, Clark, Sargent, Judge Birchall, Watson and Sutton – office)

 

Agenda: A matter of business referred from Cricket Committee …composition of Grades for 1983/84 season.

 

The meeting noted the Student Teachers Club had been unable to meet the By-Laws in relation to the number of graduates playing in its ‘D’ Grade team during the 1982/83 season,

 

In consideration of the facts surrounding the case….

 

Two separate motions by Student Teachers for special dispensation had been denied by the Cricket Committee

Admission from the Club of insufficient numbers of qualified players from which to choose its D grade team

An indication from the Club that the number of players available would not improve in the foreseeable future

 

….It was agreed that the Chairman (Jim Crichton) contact the Student Teachers Club to request that they withdraw all Grades from the SACA District Cricket Competition.

 

5.30pm – At a hastily arranged meeting of the Student Teachers committee, the SACA Representatives (Davis & Lock) reported on the SACA Cricket Committee meeting of 14 June.

 

Ron Davis relayed a call he’d made to Jim Crichton during which the SACA Special Executive Committee’s request to withdraw from all Grades was conveyed. 

 

The Student Teachers committee agreed to decline the request, but agreed that these suggestions be put to the SACA in writing for the 1983/84 season:

 

Teams in A, B and C grades

Teams in A, B, and D grades

Teams in B, C and D grades

 

This decision was communicated to the SACA Cricket Committee in a letter dated 27 June 1983 

 

28 June 1983 – SACA Special Executive Committee

 

Business of Meeting – Consideration of the grading of the Student Teachers for the 1983/84 season.

 

The chairman reported on a telephone call from Mr Davis seeking information on the future of the Student Teachers in district cricket in 1983/84.

 

Advised Mr Davis had been informed on the Executive Committee’s decision that the Club be requested to withdraw from all grades.

 

Attention of the meeting was directed to a letter received from Mr Davis (27/6/1983) advising that the club was unwilling to voluntarily withdraw and offered the alternative suggestions, stating the club’s preference would be permitted to withdraw a team from either  C or D grade. 

 

Following lengthy consideration of the matter, it was agreed that grading of teams would apply for the 1983/84 season, which included:

 

A Grade – Tea Tree Gully

 

B, C and D Grades – Student Teachers 

 

4 July 1983 – Student Teachers Committee Meeting. 

 

Ron Davis reported on the letter to SACA and the reply.

 

Peter Herbert reported on the survey of registered players. The committee heard that without an A Grade team the club would not be able to fill lower-grade teams. A letter was to be written to the SACA conveying this position, and in the absence of a team in A Grade, the club would withdraw from all Grades. 

 

7 July 1983 – SACA Special Executive Committee 

Business of Meeting – The chairman read a letter from Student Teachers advising that following a survey of all members it was apparent that without a team in the A grade competition, the club would be unable to field competitive teams for the 1983/84 season and accordingly would be forced to withdraw all four Student Teachers teams from the SACA District Cricket Competition for the 1983/84 season.

 

A revised team grading was adopted without Student Teachers. 

 

11 July 1983- SACA Cricket Committee. 

 

Agenda item: Composition of Grades 1983/84

 

The Chairman conveyed written advice from Student Teachers that they would be withdrawing all four teams from the SACA competition for the 1983/84 season. The letter included the resignations of I Lock and R Davis from the Cricket Committee.

 

The revised team grading was adopted without Student Teachers and with the inclusion of Tea Tree Gully in A Grade.

 

The Chairman requested that the Student Teachers Cricket Club’s contribution to SACA cricket over the past 18 years be recorded. Agreed that a letter of appreciation be forwarded to the club for their splendid service to the Association over the years. 

 

After 18 seasons, the club’s tenure as an A grade district club ended. The Tea Tree Gully District Cricket Club (which had competed at B Grade level for several seasons) was admitted to the A Grade competition for the 1983/84 season.

 

A re-formed Student Teachers club entered teams in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association in 1984/85 and competed successfully for several seasons.

 

Student Teachers’ club’s contribution to the sport over nearly two decades was significant. Therefore, its somewhat undignified exit from the District Competition was regrettable.

 

The decline of the club as a competitive district entity had been evident for some time. A reduction in males entering the teaching profession and the loss of critical influential figures of John Halbert and Howard Mutton were significant factors.

 

A lack of decisive leadership from the SACA Committee to bring the matter to a head in a timely and proactive manner is apparent. The question of the ‘standards’ expected of district clubs as centres of ‘excellence’ was central to the SACA’s equivocation. Also central were the measures to be taken in the event a club failed to meet these standards. Reaching agreement on appropriate standards and developing effective mechanisms to give them effect would be-devil the SACA for years to come.

 

Student Teachers Cricket Club became (and remains) the only club to leave the SACA A Grade competition in the Association’s history. 

 

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

 

State Representatives (while playing with TCCC/STCC)

• Jeff Kowalick – 1966/67 – 1 first-class game
• Donald Sutherland – 1969/70 – 1971/72 – 13 first-class games
• John Nash – 1970/71 -1972/73 – 7 first-class games (of 51 played in total)
• John Donaldson – 1972/73-1973/74 – 8 first-class games 
• Andrew Sincock -1974/75 – 6 first-class games (of 43 played in total)

 

Premierships

• 1970/71 – A Grade runner-up
• 1975/76 – A Grade runner-up
• 1978/79 – B Grade
• 1978/79 – C Grade
• 1979/80 – SACA Under 23 Competition
• 1992/93 – SACA Under 23 Competition

 

District Cricketer of the Year/Bradman Medallist

• Andrew Sincock – 1973/74
• Peter Herbert – 1981/82

 

Charlie Walker Wicketkeeping Trophy

•  John Donaldson – 1975/76

 

Talbot Smith (Fielding)

•  John Nash – 1969/70

 

SACA Batting

• David Mundy – 1967/68 – Craigie Memorial Trophy best average
• Lindsay Bowey – 1971/72 – West End Trophy, best batting average 
• John Donaldson– 1972/73 – West End Trophy, best batting average 
• Peter Herbert – 1981/82 – West End Trophy, best batting aggregate

 

SACA Bowling

• Andrew Sincock– 1973/74 – West End Trophy, best bowling aggregate  
• Andrew Sincock– 1974/75 – West End Trophy, best bowling average  

 

Written and compiled by 

Graham Lewis

Playing member 1981-83

 

Editorial and Web Content Assistance

Brooke Phillips

 

Published 11/07/2025

 

SOURCES

 

Archival Records

• SACA Cricket Committee, Executive and Special Executive Committee Minutes, 9 May – 11 July 1983. Held at SACA Archive Store, 22 Ware Street, Thebarton, South Australia.
• SACA Annual Yearbooks, Seasons 1965/66 to 1981/82. South Australian Cricket Association.
• Teachers College/Student Teachers Cricket Club Archives: Scorebooks, committee minutes, memorabilia. Private collection of Peter Herbert, 1270 Research Road, Ebenezer, South Australia.

 

Interviews (Conducted by Graham Lewis)

• John Donaldson (1968-1979, interview conducted 12 November 2024
• John Halbert (1965-1975), interview conducted 30 December 2024.
• Peter Herbert (1965-68 & 1977-83), interview conducted 2 April 2025.
• John Nash (1969 -1973) interview conducted 15 May 2025
• Mark Eaton (1971-1976) interview conducted 28 June 2025

Newspaper Articles

• Barber, Ray. ‘Prospect in Box Seat with 343.’ The Sunday Mail, 21 March 1971.
• Phelan, Sylv. ‘Big Chase Ahead of Teachers.’ The Advertiser, 22 March 1971.
• Butler, Keith. ‘Teachers Set Huge Task for Victory.’ The Advertiser, 26 March 1971.
• Barber, Ray. ‘Teachers Fight to Avert Collapse.’ The Sunday Mail, 28 March 1971.
• Mike Coward – ‘Psychological test for students’ The Advertiser 26 March 1976.
• Ray Barber – ‘Hammond slams 103’ Sunday Mail 28 March 1976.
• Keith Butler – ‘Lambert bowls East Torrens to premiership’ The Advertiser 29 March 1976.

 

Websites

• Adelaide Park Lands Association. (n.d.). Park 10 tour. https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/park-10-tour/#thirteen (Accessed July 4, 2025)

 

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