Remembering local clubs that fell by the wayside
Local cricket’s existing association started in 1963-64.
In all, 23 clubs have contested A-grade, 24 if you count a single-season Mullewa and Northampton union.
What happened to those that are defunct is revealed in this final instalment of the Geraldton Guardian’s three-part series.
Postals: Foundation club that pre-dated existing competition. Played from 1963-64 to 1969-70.
Won first two premierships.
Folded due to lack of numbers.
Railways: Foundation club pre-dating existing association that lasted only one season in new league and before folding due to lack of interest.
The name was briefly revived in the late 70s when Wanderers was founded as Wanderers Railways.
Rovers: Debuted in 1980-81 and won a flag but only lasted two more years.
Crafted by Brian Smith, who wanted a cricket team aligned with football’s Rovers. A number of footballers played, including Neil Robinson and Chris Hicks, while Smith even enticed legend Gary Rock out of retirement.
Sunseeker: Hotel and Towns Football Club-aligned team. Played 1974-75 and 1975-76 and became Colonial (Hotel) for one more year before expiring.
Did not play finals under either name. Had no B-grade, so lack of numbers, as well as player quality, were fatal.
Victoria: Played 1972-73 to 1983-84 with premiership in 1975-76.
Not linked to the Victoria Hotel, the name may have been derived from the Victoria District as the Mid West was then called.
Started with a split from Bluff Point who were very strong and unable to give some good players a run in A-grade.
Played finals in five of their first six years and again in their final season before folding for lack of numbers.
Yuna: Foundation club. Played 1963-64 to 1973-74. Won three flags but it became impossible to field a team as Yuna’s population fell. Players went to Chapman Valley Blue or Black and eventually Chapman Valley and Northampton.
FAST STATS
POSTALS CC
Seasons: 7
P‘ships/Runners Up: 2/1
Most Runs/Wkts: Richard Cobley 1699, Gary Rock 267. Cricketers of the Year: Gary Duperouzel 1967-68
RAILWAYS CC:
Seasons: 1
P‘ships/Runners Up: 0/0
Most Runs/Wkts: Neville Green 288, Neville Green 37. Cricketers of the Year: none
ROVERS CC:
Seasons: 4
P‘ships/Runners Up: 1/0
Most Runs/Wkts: Brian Smith 1179, Chris Hicks 94. Cricketers of the Year: none
SUNSEEKER CC:
Seasons: 2
P‘ships/Runners Up: 0/0
Most Runs/Wkts: Gary Nicol 708, Bruce Farrant 62. Cricketers of the Year: Alex Kotovski 1975-76
VICTORIA CC:
Seasons: 12
P‘ships/Runners Up: 1/0
Most Runs/Wkts Bruce Edwards 4077, Glenn Farr 162. Cricketers of the Year: Steve Connor 1973-74; Joe Dimitroff 1979-80.
YUNA CC:
Seasons: 11
P‘ships/Runners Up: 3/0
Most Runs/Wkts: Col Culloton 3557, Ted Culloton 381, Cricketers of the Year: Ted Culloton 1966-67 & 1968-69.
