Waratahs in History – Frank Turner

Welcome to the latest Howzat Building Waratahs in History. This Q & A is with Frank “Frantic” Turner.

This week we have something a bit different. A story from one of our Life Members and his life at MWDCC. It’s good to hear some history of the club and to look at a comparison from the past to the current.

Our Waratahs in History series is proudly sponsored by Howzat Building Services. Visit Andrew Watkins and the team at www.howzatbuildingservices.com.au for all your building needs.

Twelve months ago I was in transit at Tokyo airport, tired from the last flight from Heathrow, not into the movies on offer, done the big crossword, finished a book with which I was struggling and wondering how to amuse myself for the next flight home when I remembered Mick Pawley, had recently told me “us oldies should chronicle our experiences before we leave it too late”.

How did your love of cricket come about as a child? Who were your cricket heroes growing up?

As a young son watching our father play. Visits to the SCG to watch Sheffield Shield and Tests, sprints along the concourse at the Sheridan Stand to get good seats behind the wicket with Mum trudging along behind with the food for the day. Heroes were the NSW and Test players of the time.

What are your memories of the club in the early 2000s? Both on and off the field?

My earliest memory of MWDCC is the Saturday morning coaching clinic, run by George Lowe MBE, Alan (Pappy) Lee and John Gwynne at Manly Oval. No junior competitions existed. The story goes that Pappy Lee forgot to pick me up for my first appearance age 7. I’m not sure what our father was doing, he may have been at work.

The grade games commenced at 1.00pm, as many worked Saturday mornings, and those who could make it practised in the nets at the oval of a morning before their game.

The coaching clinics were of three divisions. Wickets were mown into the outfield. Seniors, which included my brother Ken, were in front of the grandstand, intermediates at the southern end and juniors near the tennis courts. The practice nets were at the northern end.

I can recall George Lowe, in his suit and tie, explaining the basic rule of a straight vertical bat with the full height of the bat effective versus the narrow width of a horizontal cross bat. Ramps and reverse sweeps were not in his coaching book.

These Saturday morning coaching clinics have been chronicled in Tom and Lynne Spencers’ fantastic history prepared for the 1978 centenary.

Our father, Allan Turner, now deceased Life Member and player who didn’t start grade cricket until the age of 34, scored 4474 runs for the club and was Secretary for 5 years. Dad and his boyhood mate from Concord in pre WW11 days, Nev Travers, still hold the 2nd Grade opening partnership record they set in 1963 (219). They were both in their forties. Ken and I became involved in the tasks of a cricket club Secretary, being vastly different to current Secretary Steve Beattie’s modern, dynamic input to the administration of the club.

The groundsman, Dan Delaney, a tall, gentle man, was a council employee and did not work Sundays so if there was a Poidevin Gray game or similar being played at the oval, after watering the wicket the night before, whilst the RAT was operating, I would be behind the roller, in the morning, hoping I did not electrocute myself by running over the lead from the shed or run over my foot. I recall it had a mind of its own. We would then repaint the creases as the same wicket would be used.

The groundsman at Brookvale Oval was Merv Paynter, also a Councli employee. “Aye I do love a wee drop of Drambuie” when presented with a Xmas gift. Merv later transferred to Manly Oval and was the culprit of the fresh grassy wicket of the game v Bankstown in 1973.

Another duty was the annual Spring sprigging of the wicket square repairing the damage of the rugby season. Our working bee would assemble of a Sunday morning, axes in hand and a supply of couch runners that Dad had pulled out of our front lawn. A line of axe blows would open the ground and the grass runners would be laid in, watered and closed over with the bottom of the axe. Once again toes survived.

The first Junior Saturday Morning competition commenced around the time I was 10 which replaced the Saturday morning coaching classes. Alex Anderson was an instigator of the competition and he later became a long serving Secretary and Life Member of the club. He appears in the official photo of our 1973/74 1st Grade Premiership team.

Saturday afternoons, after the morning game, were spent on the scoreboard being the rickety, black canvas roller style. One had to be cautious as there were several decking timbers missing. It was replaced with the modern, black, “drop in numbers and letters” board. I was first to score on that board, being nervous not to scratch a letter or number. This board, only relatively recently after also becoming decrepit, was replaced with the current electronic screen. The Bulli soil and grass cuttings’ smell of the old groundsman’s shed adjacent, is still vivid. Off track for a moment… my son Simon and his mates also scored on the “drop in board”. Approximately 30 years ago they were scoring when Manly hosted the Sri Lankan team and I assisted, my job being painting letter A’s and trying to work out abbreviations as their names were far too long and every second letter was an A.

A further promotion was serving cans at the RAT at the age of 14. Listening to the stories of famous players, some of whom ultimately became teammates (Bruce Adrian, Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke, Tom Brooks, Gareth Blades and the like) was an inspiration.

My first foray into a pub, underage, was after a preseason practice for selection. We walked down Eustace St to the Moorings bar in the old Manly Hotel. Two middies from Percy Philpott and co and I was gone, Ken got me home.

Friday nights at home were stapling together the fundraising “doubles” which were the sweepstakes for the highest score and wicket takers for the next day. Much disappointment if you were given a bowler such as Brian Kinsey for the batting score. BK is proud of the fact that he took more wickets (694) for the club than scored runs.

Mending the nets in the lounge chair at home is also a memory of my father as Secretary. He was taught by a fisherman how to make/mend nets. He bought a special “knitting needle” tool and many nights while watching television he would be making squares to cover holes in the nets.

Dad, whilst not a selector, would attend Monday night’s selection meetings, Mum would type the teams, a copy would be posted on the notice board at Manly Wharf and a copy to the Manly Daily. He was also Publicity Officer and wrote the weekly articles for the Manly Daily until they started editing too much, so he quit.

In 1961 Ken, with Ken Nichol and Joe Pawley (Mick’s brother) from Balgowlah Boys High were selected in the NSW Under 14 team and represented in Perth. This was an achievement I was not able to emulate, similar to my failure to match him on the golf course. I was however selected in the NSW CHS team in 1968 and represented in Brisbane at an underdeveloped Gabba. This at least gave me some time off school which only filled in between sport of the weekends anyway. My CHS teammates became good mates when we opposed playing for our respective grade clubs and long term friendships were formed.

I represented in Cawsey Shield and Moore Shield but not Watson Shield as I was by that age playing 4th Grade and ineligible. I captained the Green Shield team in 1967, it was the only time a captain gave me a decent bowl.

The pathway to grade cricket was through the two MWDCC Under 16 D Grade teams the club had playing in the Saturday afternoon park competition. One team was the Harveys and the other the MacDonalds with Ray Harvey and Don MacDonald managing and umpiring. It was a derby when we opposed and it was fatal to get hit on the pads by Macca with his old man umpiring.

The club then also had two Municipal and Shire C Grade teams and I progressed through the team captained by Len Carter including the veteran wicket keeper, Jack Blades, with the next step being 4ths. Our ground for Shires was Grahams Reserve. This then became the 3rd and 4th grades’ ground when we lost Brookvale Oval when it became Brookvale Rectangle and we had already given away Weldon.

I was a committee member in the 1970’s when the club, under President John Hodgson, sponsored the formation of the Warringah Shires and gave them Weldon Reserve. Hence when the club formed a 5th grade we did not have an extra turf wicket and so used Balgowlah Oval synthetic.

My 4th grade captain was the affable, great wine lover and backyard bottling host, Dick Woodfield. Dick also famously managed our premiership inspiring tour of New Zealand over the 1973 Christmas/ New Year break. Team spirit was to the fore and that stays on tour. With half of the touring party from 1sts, we were delighted on the late Friday night flight home when the captain announced it had been raining all week in Sydney. We assumed our one day match at Hurstville was a washout, wine was therefore ordered, otherwise there was a good chance our winning streak may have been derailed as most were not in good shape. We continued on to win the minor premiership with four outright wins, taking 20 wickets in each game. No shifty, forfeiting of innings, into which both Jim Burke and Mick Pawley were capable of persuading a naive opposing captain.

The group of fellow juniors that rose up the grade ranks included the Allums, Phil and Steve, Paul Stephenson, Alan Fraser, Graeme Beard, and the two Ian spin twins, Macca (Ian MacDonald)and Felto (Ian Felton). Stepho toured West Indies with the Australian Schoolboys in 1969. Graeme Beard’s dedication to training was at another level and he deserved his selection in the Australian team that toured Pakistan. Beardy arrived at training early, batted first and was last to leave, donning the pads again at the end, whilst some of us were already on our way to Millers Manly Vale, the Steyne or the Harbord Hilton.

Premierships were won in PG’s in 1968/69 with Ken and Peter Harvey captains, and 3rds 1969/70 under Keith Fitzpatrick. As a group of youngsters we were enjoying success. Unfortunately, we also lost 2 PG finals, the first against Randwick, and one with our team stacked with 1st graders v Petersham who also had a team stacked with 1st Graders. We should have got the job done on a sticky Waverley Oval wicket but didn’t

In 1970 I was a member of the 36 over Rothmans Knock Out winning team including Terry Lee, Peter Philpott and Jim Burke against St George, including Saunders and Watson and other NSW representatives. We were comfortably chasing a very gettable target, until I drove a catch to mid off to start a rot that nearly cost the game. Stepho and Tom Spencer, as last wicket, got us home with an inside snick by Stepho off the last over.

I have mentioned earlier Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke as great representative players I have played with. Terry Lee has the distinction of two 1st Grade premiership wins, 1957/58 and ours captained by Mick Pawley 1973/74

In 1973 I was selected in the NSW Colts squad with Thursday practice sessions at SCG 2. Steve Rixon and I, who worked in the city together, would catch the bus after an early exit from work. The practices were great fun facing Thommo, Pascoe and the like on grassy wickets off 18 yards. Their modus operandi being, apart from showing the selectors how fast they could bowl, to injure us so we were not a threat when playing against them for our clubs.

Whilst overseas the following year I played 3 months in the Middlesex League with Shepherds Bush and toured midweek with a wandering club, The Stoics, to many parts of England. Great times and great cricket.

My top score in grade was 105 in 75 minutes v Wests at Pratten Park, being the only century I scored in grade. I have to rely on PG’s and NZ tour to claim a few more but long stays at the crease were not my forte. The innings against Wests was interesting as the late Bob Simpson was bowling his leggies and not impressed with my lack of respect. He called me a “one day wonder” which confirms he knew his stuff.

This reminds me, in 1976 the committee of which I was a member, sought an overseas player. David Lord a Mosman CC legend was venturing into sports management and had all but inked a deal with Coca Cola for $20,000 for the young West Indian, Vivian Richards, who had scored a century in his first test. As a final check before signing, Coke checked with a sales employee and South Australian leg spinner, as to his thoughts of Richards to be told “he is a one day wonder”. Hence Coke withdrew, Richards signed with Queensland and we know the rest. We signed Alvin Kallicharan who had a wonderful holiday, staying and “entertaining” in the Steyne Hotel. He was recovering from shoulder surgery, was definitely not fully recovered, and top scored with 47. The leg spinner mentioned had a more successful prediction and input with Shane Warne.

Back to Pratten Park…Another occasion at Pratten Park was a year or two later when Wests had batted the first week on a belter, no rain during the week and we turned up, me looking for another century, to a wet sticky and faced the unplayable Wally Welham on a “specially prepared” wicket. As I was trudging off I hurled my bat (I had heard the story of my father hurling his bat once). Unfortunately I hurled it in front of a few guys on the hill who had had a few beers and I had to sheepishly, go over and pick it up. At least I gave them some amusement. Also at Pratten Park, I will never forget one of the best balls I have seen bowled when the late Dave Packer beat Simpson with an off cutter and sheer pace to shatter his stumps.

Another incident was a 2nd grade game at Chatswood when I top edged a hook and it went straight up. I sensed a fielder approaching from leg slip so stayed my ground and dropped my shoulder at the appropriate time to look down and see Marshall Rosen and the ball next to him on the ground. I was given out for obstruction and it made the newspaper, as the last time anyone in grade cricket had been dismissed for obstruction was twelve years before.

Ken and I both had the pleasure of playing with Dad. I was batting with Dad in 3rds when chasing approximately 240 in a one day game at Uni 2. I hit a six over mid wicket so at the end of the over he said I was going well so he would feed me the strike. I wasn’t expecting him to just drop the first ball at his feet and run. Not game to overturn his call I ran and didn’t make it. He payed my “batting fees” that game.

The last personal incident, I promise, was v St George 1973/74. Dad was by now a 1st Grade umpire and doing our game at the oval with Tom Brooks. I was living at home and we agreed that if I got a nick I would walk. I got a nick off John Martin (Big Fav) and habit kicked in, I didn’t look around, being the give-a- way, a stifled appeal and I calmly stood my ground. By the time I had realised I had renigged it was too late to walk so I carried on for 48. Each time I got to Dad’s non strikers end I couldn’t look him in the eye. After the game at RAT we did not speak, mainly because I was avoiding him. Finally when I got home he said “don’t worry, Tozer (NSW keeper) dropped it”… and he had let me stew all day!

I note Hilly omitted the day we played at Somerville Oval in 1977 on an horrific underprepared wicket against NDs with Bernard and Clews. Hilly was KO’d and I was next in. Thanks Asif, you were supposed to be sheltering me ! Ken opened and carried his bat, with a mass of bruises, for 18 while the rest of us departed quickly for a team total of 42. Tom Brooks, umpiring, was close to abandoning the game.

My strength as a cricketer I would like to think was as a teammate who hated to lose and not give in until the last ball was bowled. Many a time as a fielding side we came back from certain defeat to a win.

The best players at Manly I played with over a reasonable length of time are Terry Lee, Mick Pawley and Mal Elliott. Terry, the son of Pappy and to me a legend, was my initial 1st Grade captain. He was playing when I worked the original scoreboard. He was a great captain for us raw youngsters settling into the higher grade, as not only did he lead by example, he did not suffer fools. If you let the team down, you were not left wondering.

Mick took over for the captaincy for 73/74 year. He made the season an adventure, including “out of the square” captaincy. We played 7 specialist batsmen but only reached 200 twice all season, nothing to rave about despite the excuse of uncovered wickets and anything else we could cling to, to explain this ordinary statistic. After our NZ tour over the Christmas break Mick declared the team set for the remainder of the season. It was disappointing for those in 2nds looking for promotion but took the pressure off those of us trying to hold our spots. It was then all concentration on winning as a team, including special fielding sessions every Wednesday.

Mal (Rolly) Elliott was a senior member of that team and would have to be regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers to don the Waratah cap. His lack of representative selection was puzzling. Lynne Spencer’s photo of him catching Barry Rothwell in the final from an inside knick off Mick is special.

I had the pleasure of nominating Mick as a life Member and quoting his amazing stats. I also had the pleasure of seconding Sam Mesite, Gary Flowers and Greg Hill as Life Members in 1993.

The best performance at Manly was the Premiership winning spell by Mick in the 1973/74 final win wherein he claimed “5-37 off 31 overs of tantalising and superbly controlled spin bowling which gave him season’s figures of 62 wickets at an average of only 8.71 runs each” (Tom Spencer’s History)

Fond memories include a 118 partnership with Ken at Sydney Uni with our mother watching in the grandstand. Ken was a regular opener and Mick pushed me up the order that day. Alvin Kallicharan was padded up with a few spectators wishing one us of would get out quickly. We made them wait.

My wife, Jenny, and I moved to Dubbo in 1979 which effectively brought an end to a good run of grade cricket. 1978/79 was the only year I had the batting aggregate (472) which shows we were an inconsistent bunch at that time but at least I left on a relative high.

Playing for Dubbo Rugby Club we won the premiership the first year and lost in the final the second year. A visiting MWDCC X1 played against a Dubbo Invitational side. The touring side included Phil Marks, Bob Rickey, Dean Abbey, Ross Wiblin, Gareth Blades , Ken, Keith Fitzpatrick and Nev Travers. Refer 1963 opening partnership with our father who umpired the game. The Atlas Motel trophy was a bugle, which we still have and the grandchildren let the neighbourhood know. Maybe I should present it to the club to be used when chasing quick runs.

Two “comebacks” to captain lower grades were rewarding experiences. 1985 I initially captained 4ths and moved to 3rds, leaving Ken Pitcher with the captaincy and 1994/95 I captained 3rds.

These comebacks gained me lasting friendships with new, younger, teammates. I believe I was Simon Couch’s first grade captain in 1985. Couchy was 16, Cameron Lawes 17, I could add their ages together and still had 10 years on them. My nephew Graeme, David Gainsford, Warren Evans and Adam Parkinson also, come to mind. Parko, who I assume is the club’s most successful captain and Gains have all had huge contributions to the success of the club.

1989/90 whilst working with Andrew Fraser I was sold, as Frase does tend to sell, on the Chairman of Selectors role and followed up the following year. At the same time as Captaining 3rds in 1994 I somehow found myself as Chairman of Selectors again. Apologies Michael for not selecting you in 5ths as you have informed me on a number of occasions. You set a great example of perseverence to ultimately become a valuable, long serving player and administrator of the club. In hindsight I should have taken Sam Mesite’s philosophy for selection of younger players. It has something to do with girlfriends and mothers.

A great honour was being granted Life Membership with my father at the 2000 AGM. Unfortunately, it was an acrimonious AGM due to some who believed they could run the club better. Many not so friendly speeches were made. Towards the end of the meeting, as an aside we were made life members. No speeches were made in support and no speeches were made by us recipients. We were presented with a nice tie that I still wear. It was underwhelming at the time but forever a rare honour cherished, especially taking into account those who have become life members since. As to the election of office bearers at the meeting, in time it became obvious those who thought they could do better realised they couldn’t and some resigned from their positions and responsible administration was restored. A special thank you to Bob Brenner from someone who is aware of what a Secretary’s job entails.

One of the great characters of the club in my time must include the late Tom (the Lizard) Spencer. Tom, of gangly physique and apologetic manner was an amazing leg spinner who, apart from “Warne like” turn, could skid a bouncer at a batsman’s throat off his normal run. The wicket keeper had no chance if it was down the leg side. Tom had a dodgy knee that at times would seize and he would have to be carried off until the knee sorted itself out. Tom’s wife, Lynne, was always in position with camera on the hill and captured amazing action photos. Tom and Lyne’s Centenary History of MWDCC was an excellent record of the club’s 1st hundred years. At Tom’s memorial service in 2022 Lynne showed me the working sheets where they manually compiled every player’s scores and wickets from annual reports, newspapers at the NSW Library, and NSWCA records and added them up as no long term records, other than those of the current year existed. That, in its own right, earned Tom a deserved Life Membership and Lynne should receive it also. If we were washed out, we regularly went to Tom’s parents’ house at Seaforth and played snooker, which as a young PG’s player I thoroughly enjoyed.

We are all aware of it by now, if not what rock have you been hiding under ? The most memorable game, other than the grand final win, was against Bankstown at Manly Oval in 1973 which included Mick Pawley bowling a bean ball at Jeff Thompson off 18 yards. Rolly Elliott knew it was coming and the ball thudded into his glove next to Thommo’s ear. He was out bowled the next ball, uttering obscenities and threats as he departed. This was not such a great thing for us batsmen to witness as we still had to bat again in the 2nd innings. The game was a shouting match with Mick pointing his bat, telling Thommo, walking back to his mark backwards, he “thought he could bowl quicker and to try again” then Mick would back away, swing and snick again over the top for another boundary. Alan Fraser then pulled Thommo for six into the tennis courts with the ball not reaching head height. Alan paid the penalty with sore ribs the same over. We won the game and went on to win the premiership. That Bankstown game and the final have been chronicled in prior reminiscences.

I “missed” large sections of our fielding sessions in our premiership year as I was designated by Mick as the bunny to “run interference”. I positioned myself at the very end of the front crease at silly point. As soon as I saw the batsman take a backswing I spun around and covered up for my own safety in case he played a square cut. Despite looking silly if it wasn’t, it had the effect of mentally hindering the batsman moving across and Rolly at keeper, Terry Lee and Phil Allum in the slips reaped the benefits with almost 60 catches for the season. The attached photo in the Manly Daily shows some action.

The best nick name ? Fingers… no name and no explanation.

Otherwise, Killer for Jeff MacPherson. He never found out who stole his trousers on a Newcastle trip but he was intent on homicide. The name stuck and possibly had an impact on nervous opposition batsmen when we called his name in encouragement. As a slightly built, unlikely looking opening bowler but with a silky smooth action, he had a skidding bouncer that caught many batsmen unaware. One such batsman was the Bankstown opener Grace in that infamous game. We batted first, got approximately 240 in quick time, no-one was hanging around. First over from Killer, a trademark skidding bouncer broke his specs… oh shit, and we were going to have to bat again! I had a great view from silly point and helped pick up the pieces.

My life has not moved geographically far from Manly and the oval. Raised at North Balgowlah, moved to Queenscliff when married to Jenny, two years in Dubbo, 32 years at Balgowlah Heights, and currently into our 12th year at Balgowlah.

We have a son, Simon who lives at North Curl Curl and daughter, Lauren who is on acreage in the Upper Hunter where we visit frequently. Five grandchildren, none of whom have taken to cricket as surfing, as with Simon, and mountain biking have taken priority. However, Ken has 6 grandchildren, three who are currently in their respective Manly juniors representative sides. It would be great if one or all ultimately played for MWDCC as that would complete four respective generations playing for the Waratahs. His youngest grandson, Thomas, recently scored 103 in the Cawsey Shield.

I believe our father, Allan, Ken and I, and Graeme and Mark (Ken’s sons) have the aggregate of most runs scored by a family for MWDCC (18,374), open for challenge. I am aware that Tim Cruickshank and Cameron Merchant combined beat that… but they are not family, not withstanding, the Waratahs are one large, amazing family.

Not so sure on dates but in the nineties we arranged under the name of the Manly Cavaliers X1, games at Manly Oval and away v Primary Club and Hong Kong Cricket Club. It was lovely to get back into the creams and enjoy a beer after. Best bowler in those games, who I wished chose cricket rather than league was Darren Bradstreet. In those games he had the batsmen terrified, we won them all when he was with us.

Not being able to get the Blue Blood out of my veins I became involved again in 2018 assisting with net management on Tuesdays. Thanks for the opportunity Gains. Once again I have benefited from knowing another generation of players. It is an honour and rewarding to see, and to have participated in, the club at the very top of grade and district cricket globally.

I enjoy our get togethers at the Blue Blood, not that we need an excuse to wander down to watch the latest talent. I have more stories to tell, that’s enough for now and keeping the rest for over beers at the oval.

I have mentioned earlier Steve Beattie, however no missive about the Waratahs would be complete without a huge call to Andrew Fraser our perennial President. I first came across Frase in a 4th Grade game when the club was short of players. Ken and I were called up by Tom Spencer, the captain, to fill in. A young upstart made himself known. Who was to know here was the club’s future for many years, and still going. Well done Frase, enjoying our golf, not that you are very competitive !
A thank you to our mother, Nancy, Jenny and Judy (Ken’s wife) for tolerating cricketing husbands and the wonderful afternoon teas. Not forgetting our sister, Rosemary, who had the misfortune of playing tennis at the oval courts and, apart from dodging Terry Lee sixes, had two brothers who requested our captains field us on the mid wicket boundary so we could give her some advice.

Thanks for reading, if you have got this far. Thank you also Michael for requesting I put this together.

Frank (Frantic) Turner

MWDCC

Twelve months ago I was in transit at Tokyo airport, tired from the last flight from Heathrow, not into the movies on offer, done the big crossword, finished a book with which I was struggling and wondering how to amuse myself for the next flight home when I remembered Mick Pawley, had recently told me “us oldies should chronicle our experiences before we leave it too late”. So prior to Michael Osbourne’s questions I had already made a start, stalled when life got back in the way, and now picking up the threads. Excuse me if I go off script. Not all of Michael’s questions are answered and some morph into others. Warning, it’s long.

Q1. Love of Cricket…
As a young son watching our father play. Visits to the SCG to watch Sheffield Shield and Tests, sprints along the concourse at the Sheridan Stand to get good seats behind the wicket with Mum trudging along behind with the food for the day. Heroes were the NSW and Test players of the time.

Q2, 3, 4, etc
My earliest memory of MWDCC is the Saturday morning coaching clinic, run by George Lowe MBE, Alan (Pappy) Lee and John Gwynne at Manly Oval. No junior competitions existed. The story goes that Pappy Lee forgot to pick me up for my first appearance age 7. I’m not sure what our father was doing, he may have been at work.

The grade games commenced at 1.00pm, as many worked Saturday mornings, and those who could make it practised in the nets at the oval of a morning before their game.

The coaching clinics were of three divisions. Wickets were mown into the outfield. Seniors, which included my brother Ken, were in front of the grandstand, intermediates at the southern end and juniors near the tennis courts. The practice nets were at the northern end.

I can recall George Lowe, in his suit and tie, explaining the basic rule of a straight vertical bat with the full height of the bat effective versus the narrow width of a horizontal cross bat. Ramps and reverse sweeps were not in his coaching book.

These Saturday morning coaching clinics have been chronicled in Tom and Lynne Spencers’ fantastic history prepared for the 1978 centenary.

Our father, Allan Turner, now deceased Life Member and player who didn’t start grade cricket until the age of 34, scored 4474 runs for the club and was Secretary for 5 years. Dad and his boyhood mate from Concord in pre WW11 days, Nev Travers, still hold the 2nd Grade opening partnership record they set in 1963 (219). They were both in their forties. Ken and I became involved in the tasks of a cricket club Secretary, being vastly different to current Secretary Steve Beattie’s modern, dynamic input to the administration of the club.

The groundsman, Dan Delaney, a tall, gentle man, was a council employee and did not work Sundays so if there was a Poidevin Gray game or similar being played at the oval, after watering the wicket the night before, whilst the RAT was operating, I would be behind the roller, in the morning, hoping I did not electrocute myself by running over the lead from the shed or run over my foot. I recall it had a mind of its own. We would then repaint the creases as the same wicket would be used.

The groundsman at Brookvale Oval was Merv Paynter, also a Councli employee. “Aye I do love a wee drop of Drambuie” when presented with a Xmas gift. Merv later transferred to Manly Oval and was the culprit of the fresh grassy wicket of the game v Bankstown in 1973.

Another duty was the annual Spring sprigging of the wicket square repairing the damage of the rugby season. Our working bee would assemble of a Sunday morning, axes in hand and a supply of couch runners that Dad had pulled out of our front lawn. A line of axe blows would open the ground and the grass runners would be laid in, watered and closed over with the bottom of the axe. Once again toes survived.

The first Junior Saturday Morning competition commenced around the time I was 10 which replaced the Saturday morning coaching classes. Alex Anderson was an instigator of the competition and he later became a long serving Secretary and Life Member of the club. He appears in the official photo of our 1973/74 1st Grade Premiership team.

Saturday afternoons, after the morning game, were spent on the scoreboard being the rickety, black canvas roller style. One had to be cautious as there were several decking timbers missing. It was replaced with the modern, black, “drop in numbers and letters” board. I was first to score on that board, being nervous not to scratch a letter or number. This board, only relatively recently after also becoming decrepit, was replaced with the current electronic screen. The Bulli soil and grass cuttings’ smell of the old groundsman’s shed adjacent, is still vivid. Off track for a moment… my son Simon and his mates also scored on the “drop in board”. Approximately 30 years ago they were scoring when Manly hosted the Sri Lankan team and I assisted, my job being painting letter A’s and trying to work out abbreviations as their names were far too long and every second letter was an A.

A further promotion was serving cans at the RAT at the age of 14. Listening to the stories of famous players, some of whom ultimately became teammates (Bruce Adrian, Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke, Tom Brooks, Gareth Blades and the like) was an inspiration.

My first foray into a pub, underage, was after a preseason practice for selection. We walked down Eustace St to the Moorings bar in the old Manly Hotel. Two middies from Percy Philpott and co and I was gone, Ken got me home.

Friday nights at home were stapling together the fundraising “doubles” which were the sweepstakes for the highest score and wicket takers for the next day. Much disappointment if you were given a bowler such as Brian Kinsey for the batting score. BK is proud of the fact that he took more wickets (694) for the club than scored runs.

Mending the nets in the lounge chair at home is also a memory of my father as Secretary. He was taught by a fisherman how to make/mend nets. He bought a special “knitting needle” tool and many nights while watching television he would be making squares to cover holes in the nets.

Dad, whilst not a selector, would attend Monday night’s selection meetings, Mum would type the teams, a copy would be posted on the notice board at Manly Wharf and a copy to the Manly Daily. He was also Publicity Officer and wrote the weekly articles for the Manly Daily until they started editing too much, so he quit.

In 1961 Ken, with Ken Nichol and Joe Pawley (Mick’s brother) from Balgowlah Boys High were selected in the NSW Under 14 team and represented in Perth. This was an achievement I was not able to emulate, similar to my failure to match him on the golf course. I was however selected in the NSW CHS team in 1968 and represented in Brisbane at an underdeveloped Gabba. This at least gave me some time off school which only filled in between sport of the weekends anyway. My CHS teammates became good mates when we opposed playing for our respective grade clubs and long term friendships were formed.

I represented in Cawsey Shield and Moore Shield but not Watson Shield as I was by that age playing 4th Grade and ineligible. I captained the Green Shield team in 1967, it was the only time a captain gave me a decent bowl.

The pathway to grade cricket was through the two MWDCC Under 16 D Grade teams the club had playing in the Saturday afternoon park competition. One team was the Harveys and the other the MacDonalds with Ray Harvey and Don MacDonald managing and umpiring. It was a derby when we opposed and it was fatal to get hit on the pads by Macca with his old man umpiring.

The club then also had two Municipal and Shire C Grade teams and I progressed through the team captained by Len Carter including the veteran wicket keeper, Jack Blades, with the next step being 4ths. Our ground for Shires was Grahams Reserve. This then became the 3rd and 4th grades’ ground when we lost Brookvale Oval when it became Brookvale Rectangle and we had already given away Weldon.

I was a committee member in the 1970’s when the club, under President John Hodgson, sponsored the formation of the Warringah Shires and gave them Weldon Reserve. Hence when the club formed a 5th grade we did not have an extra turf wicket and so used Balgowlah Oval synthetic.

My 4th grade captain was the affable, great wine lover and backyard bottling host, Dick Woodfield. Dick also famously managed our premiership inspiring tour of New Zealand over the 1973 Christmas/ New Year break. Team spirit was to the fore and that stays on tour. With half of the touring party from 1sts, we were delighted on the late Friday night flight home when the captain announced it had been raining all week in Sydney. We assumed our one day match at Hurstville was a washout, wine was therefore ordered, otherwise there was a good chance our winning streak may have been derailed as most were not in good shape. We continued on to win the minor premiership with four outright wins, taking 20 wickets in each game. No shifty, forfeiting of innings, into which both Jim Burke and Mick Pawley were capable of persuading a naive opposing captain.

The group of fellow juniors that rose up the grade ranks included the Allums, Phil and Steve, Paul Stephenson, Alan Fraser, Graeme Beard, and the two Ian spin twins, Macca (Ian MacDonald)and Felto (Ian Felton). Stepho toured West Indies with the Australian Schoolboys in 1969. Graeme Beard’s dedication to training was at another level and he deserved his selection in the Australian team that toured Pakistan. Beardy arrived at training early, batted first and was last to leave, donning the pads again at the end, whilst some of us were already on our way to Millers Manly Vale, the Steyne or the Harbord Hilton.

Premierships were won in PG’s in 1968/69 with Ken and Peter Harvey captains, and 3rds 1969/70 under Keith Fitzpatrick. As a group of youngsters we were enjoying success. Unfortunately, we also lost 2 PG finals, the first against Randwick, and one with our team stacked with 1st graders v Petersham who also had a team stacked with 1st Graders. We should have got the job done on a sticky Waverley Oval wicket but didn’t

In 1970 I was a member of the 36 over Rothmans Knock Out winning team including Terry Lee, Peter Philpott and Jim Burke against St George, including Saunders and Watson and other NSW representatives. We were comfortably chasing a very gettable target, until I drove a catch to mid off to start a rot that nearly cost the game. Stepho and Tom Spencer, as last wicket, got us home with an inside snick by Stepho off the last over.

I have mentioned earlier Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke as great representative players I have played with. Terry Lee has the distinction of two 1st Grade premiership wins, 1957/58 and ours captained by Mick Pawley 1973/74

In 1973 I was selected in the NSW Colts squad with Thursday practice sessions at SCG 2. Steve Rixon and I, who worked in the city together, would catch the bus after an early exit from work. The practices were great fun facing Thommo, Pascoe and the like on grassy wickets off 18 yards. Their modus operandi being, apart from showing the selectors how fast they could bowl, to injure us so we were not a threat when playing against them for our clubs.

Whilst overseas the following year I played 3 months in the Middlesex League with Shepherds Bush and toured midweek with a wandering club, The Stoics, to many parts of England. Great times and great cricket.

My top score in grade was 105 in 75 minutes v Wests at Pratten Park, being the only century I scored in grade. I have to rely on PG’s and NZ tour to claim a few more but long stays at the crease were not my forte. The innings against Wests was interesting as the late Bob Simpson was bowling his leggies and not impressed with my lack of respect. He called me a “one day wonder” which confirms he knew his stuff.

This reminds me, in 1976 the committee of which I was a member, sought an overseas player. David Lord a Mosman CC legend was venturing into sports management and had all but inked a deal with Coca Cola for $20,000 for the young West Indian, Vivian Richards, who had scored a century in his first test. As a final check before signing, Coke checked with a sales employee and South Australian leg spinner, as to his thoughts of Richards to be told “he is a one day wonder”. Hence Coke withdrew, Richards signed with Queensland and we know the rest. We signed Alvin Kallicharan who had a wonderful holiday, staying and “entertaining” in the Steyne Hotel. He was recovering from shoulder surgery, was definitely not fully recovered, and top scored with 47. The leg spinner mentioned had a more successful prediction and input with Shane Warne.

Back to Pratten Park…Another occasion at Pratten Park was a year or two later when Wests had batted the first week on a belter, no rain during the week and we turned up, me looking for another century, to a wet sticky and faced the unplayable Wally Welham on a “specially prepared” wicket. As I was trudging off I hurled my bat (I had heard the story of my father hurling his bat once). Unfortunately I hurled it in front of a few guys on the hill who had had a few beers and I had to sheepishly, go over and pick it up. At least I gave them some amusement. Also at Pratten Park, I will never forget one of the best balls I have seen bowled when the late Dave Packer beat Simpson with an off cutter and sheer pace to shatter his stumps.

Another incident was a 2nd grade game at Chatswood when I top edged a hook and it went straight up. I sensed a fielder approaching from leg slip so stayed my ground and dropped my shoulder at the appropriate time to look down and see Marshall Rosen and the ball next to him on the ground. I was given out for obstruction and it made the newspaper, as the last time anyone in grade cricket had been dismissed for obstruction was twelve years before.

Ken and I both had the pleasure of playing with Dad. I was batting with Dad in 3rds when chasing approximately 240 in a one day game at Uni 2. I hit a six over mid wicket so at the end of the over he said I was going well so he would feed me the strike. I wasn’t expecting him to just drop the first ball at his feet and run. Not game to overturn his call I ran and didn’t make it. He payed my “batting fees” that game.

The last personal incident, I promise, was v St George 1973/74. Dad was by now a 1st Grade umpire and doing our game at the oval with Tom Brooks. I was living at home and we agreed that if I got a nick I would walk. I got a nick off John Martin (Big Fav) and habit kicked in, I didn’t look around, being the give-a- way, a stifled appeal and I calmly stood my ground. By the time I had realised I had renigged it was too late to walk so I carried on for 48. Each time I got to Dad’s non strikers end I couldn’t look him in the eye. After the game at RAT we did not speak, mainly because I was avoiding him. Finally when I got home he said “don’t worry, Tozer (NSW keeper) dropped it”… and he had let me stew all day!

I note Hilly omitted the day we played at Somerville Oval in 1977 on an horrific underprepared wicket against NDs with Bernard and Clews. Hilly was KO’d and I was next in. Thanks Asif, you were supposed to be sheltering me ! Ken opened and carried his bat, with a mass of bruises, for 18 while the rest of us departed quickly for a team total of 42. Tom Brooks, umpiring, was close to abandoning the game.

My strength as a cricketer I would like to think was as a teammate who hated to lose and not give in until the last ball was bowled. Many a time as a fielding side we came back from certain defeat to a win.

The best players at Manly I played with over a reasonable length of time are Terry Lee, Mick Pawley and Mal Elliott. Terry, the son of Pappy and to me a legend, was my initial 1st Grade captain. He was playing when I worked the original scoreboard. He was a great captain for us raw youngsters settling into the higher grade, as not only did he lead by example, he did not suffer fools. If you let the team down, you were not left wondering.

Mick took over for the captaincy for 73/74 year. He made the season an adventure, including “out of the square” captaincy. We played 7 specialist batsmen but only reached 200 twice all season, nothing to rave about despite the excuse of uncovered wickets and anything else we could cling to, to explain this ordinary statistic. After our NZ tour over the Christmas break Mick declared the team set for the remainder of the season. It was disappointing for those in 2nds looking for promotion but took the pressure off those of us trying to hold our spots. It was then all concentration on winning as a team, including special fielding sessions every Wednesday.

Mal (Rolly) Elliott was a senior member of that team and would have to be regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers to don the Waratah cap. His lack of representative selection was puzzling. Lynne Spencer’s photo of him catching Barry Rothwell in the final from an inside knick off Mick is special.

I had the pleasure of nominating Mick as a life Member and quoting his amazing stats. I also had the pleasure of seconding Sam Mesite, Gary Flowers and Greg Hill as Life Members in 1993.

The best performance at Manly was the Premiership winning spell by Mick in the 1973/74 final win wherein he claimed “5-37 off 31 overs of tantalising and superbly controlled spin bowling which gave him season’s figures of 62 wickets at an average of only 8.71 runs each” (Tom Spencer’s History)

Fond memories include a 118 partnership with Ken at Sydney Uni with our mother watching in the grandstand. Ken was a regular opener and Mick pushed me up the order that day. Alvin Kallicharan was padded up with a few spectators wishing one us of would get out quickly. We made them wait.

My wife, Jenny, and I moved to Dubbo in 1979 which effectively brought an end to a good run of grade cricket. 1978/79 was the only year I had the batting aggregate (472) which shows we were an inconsistent bunch at that time but at least I left on a relative high.

Playing for Dubbo Rugby Club we won the premiership the first year and lost in the final the second year. A visiting MWDCC X1 played against a Dubbo Invitational side. The touring side included Phil Marks, Bob Rickey, Dean Abbey, Ross Wiblin, Gareth Blades , Ken, Keith Fitzpatrick and Nev Travers. Refer 1963 opening partnership with our father who umpired the game. The Atlas Motel trophy was a bugle, which we still have and the grandchildren let the neighbourhood know. Maybe I should present it to the club to be used when chasing quick runs.

Two “comebacks” to captain lower grades were rewarding experiences. 1985 I initially captained 4ths and moved to 3rds, leaving Ken Pitcher with the captaincy and 1994/95 I captained 3rds.

These comebacks gained me lasting friendships with new, younger, teammates. I believe I was Simon Couch’s first grade captain in 1985. Couchy was 16, Cameron Lawes 17, I could add their ages together and still had 10 years on them. My nephew Graeme, David Gainsford, Warren Evans and Adam Parkinson also, come to mind. Parko, who I assume is the club’s most successful captain and Gains have all had huge contributions to the success of the club.

1989/90 whilst working with Andrew Fraser I was sold, as Frase does tend to sell, on the Chairman of Selectors role and followed up the following year. At the same time as Captaining 3rds in 1994 I somehow found myself as Chairman of Selectors again. Apologies Michael for not selecting you in 5ths as you have informed me on a number of occasions. You set a great example of perseverence to ultimately become a valuable, long serving player and administrator of the club. In hindsight I should have taken Sam Mesite’s philosophy for selection of younger players. It has something to do with girlfriends and mothers.

A great honour was being granted Life Membership with my father at the 2000 AGM. Unfortunately, it was an acrimonious AGM due to some who believed they could run the club better. Many not so friendly speeches were made. Towards the end of the meeting, as an aside we were made life members. No speeches were made in support and no speeches were made by us recipients. We were presented with a nice tie that I still wear. It was underwhelming at the time but forever a rare honour cherished, especially taking into account those who have become life members since. As to the election of office bearers at the meeting, in time it became obvious those who thought they could do better realised they couldn’t and some resigned from their positions and responsible administration was restored. A special thank you to Bob Brenner from someone who is aware of what a Secretary’s job entails.

One of the great characters of the club in my time must include the late Tom (the Lizard) Spencer. Tom, of gangly physique and apologetic manner was an amazing leg spinner who, apart from “Warne like” turn, could skid a bouncer at a batsman’s throat off his normal run. The wicket keeper had no chance if it was down the leg side. Tom had a dodgy knee that at times would seize and he would have to be carried off until the knee sorted itself out. Tom’s wife, Lynne, was always in position with camera on the hill and captured amazing action photos. Tom and Lyne’s Centenary History of MWDCC was an excellent record of the club’s 1st hundred years. At Tom’s memorial service in 2022 Lynne showed me the working sheets where they manually compiled every player’s scores and wickets from annual reports, newspapers at the NSW Library, and NSWCA records and added them up as no long term records, other than those of the current year existed. That, in its own right, earned Tom a deserved Life Membership and Lynne should receive it also. If we were washed out, we regularly went to Tom’s parents’ house at Seaforth and played snooker, which as a young PG’s player I thoroughly enjoyed.

We are all aware of it by now, if not what rock have you been hiding under ? The most memorable game, other than the grand final win, was against Bankstown at Manly Oval in 1973 which included Mick Pawley bowling a bean ball at Jeff Thompson off 18 yards. Rolly Elliott knew it was coming and the ball thudded into his glove next to Thommo’s ear. He was out bowled the next ball, uttering obscenities and threats as he departed. This was not such a great thing for us batsmen to witness as we still had to bat again in the 2nd innings. The game was a shouting match with Mick pointing his bat, telling Thommo, walking back to his mark backwards, he “thought he could bowl quicker and to try again” then Mick would back away, swing and snick again over the top for another boundary. Alan Fraser then pulled Thommo for six into the tennis courts with the ball not reaching head height. Alan paid the penalty with sore ribs the same over. We won the game and went on to win the premiership. That Bankstown game and the final have been chronicled in prior reminiscences.

I “missed” large sections of our fielding sessions in our premiership year as I was designated by Mick as the bunny to “run interference”. I positioned myself at the very end of the front crease at silly point. As soon as I saw the batsman take a backswing I spun around and covered up for my own safety in case he played a square cut. Despite looking silly if it wasn’t, it had the effect of mentally hindering the batsman moving across and Rolly at keeper, Terry Lee and Phil Allum in the slips reaped the benefits with almost 60 catches for the season. The attached photo in the Manly Daily shows some action.

The best nick name ? Fingers… no name and no explanation.

Otherwise, Killer for Jeff MacPherson. He never found out who stole his trousers on a Newcastle trip but he was intent on homicide. The name stuck and possibly had an impact on nervous opposition batsmen when we called his name in encouragement. As a slightly built, unlikely looking opening bowler but with a silky smooth action, he had a skidding bouncer that caught many batsmen unaware. One such batsman was the Bankstown opener Grace in that infamous game. We batted first, got approximately 240 in quick time, no-one was hanging around. First over from Killer, a trademark skidding bouncer broke his specs… oh shit, and we were going to have to bat again! I had a great view from silly point and helped pick up the pieces.

My life has not moved geographically far from Manly and the oval. Raised at North Balgowlah, moved to Queenscliff when married to Jenny, two years in Dubbo, 32 years at Balgowlah Heights, and currently into our 12th year at Balgowlah.

We have a son, Simon who lives at North Curl Curl and daughter, Lauren who is on acreage in the Upper Hunter where we visit frequently. Five grandchildren, none of whom have taken to cricket as surfing, as with Simon, and mountain biking have taken priority. However, Ken has 6 grandchildren, three who are currently in their respective Manly juniors representative sides. It would be great if one or all ultimately played for MWDCC as that would complete four respective generations playing for the Waratahs. His youngest grandson, Thomas, recently scored 103 in the Cawsey Shield.

I believe our father, Allan, Ken and I, and Graeme and Mark (Ken’s sons) have the aggregate of most runs scored by a family for MWDCC (18,374), open for challenge. I am aware that Tim Cruickshank and Cameron Merchant combined beat that… but they are not family, not withstanding, the Waratahs are one large, amazing family.

Not so sure on dates but in the nineties we arranged under the name of the Manly Cavaliers X1, games at Manly Oval and away v Primary Club and Hong Kong Cricket Club. It was lovely to get back into the creams and enjoy a beer after. Best bowler in those games, who I wished chose cricket rather than league was Darren Bradstreet. In those games he had the batsmen terrified, we won them all when he was with us.

Not being able to get the Blue Blood out of my veins I became involved again in 2018 assisting with net management on Tuesdays. Thanks for the opportunity Gains. Once again I have benefited from knowing another generation of players. It is an honour and rewarding to see, and to have participated in, the club at the very top of grade and district cricket globally.

I enjoy our get togethers at the Blue Blood, not that we need an excuse to wander down to watch the latest talent. I have more stories to tell, that’s enough for now and keeping the rest for over beers at the oval.

I have mentioned earlier Steve Beattie, however no missive about the Waratahs would be complete without a huge call to Andrew Fraser our perennial President. I first came across Frase in a 4th Grade game when the club was short of players. Ken and I were called up by Tom Spencer, the captain, to fill in. A young upstart made himself known. Who was to know here was the club’s future for many years, and still going. Well done Frase, enjoying our golf, not that you are very competitive !
A thank you to our mother, Nancy, Jenny and Judy (Ken’s wife) for tolerating cricketing husbands and the wonderful afternoon teas. Not forgetting our sister, Rosemary, who had the misfortune of playing tennis at the oval courts and, apart from dodging Terry Lee sixes, had two brothers who requested our captains field us on the mid wicket boundary so we could give her some advice.

Thanks for reading, if you have got this far. Thank you also Michael for requesting I put this together.

Frank (Frantic) Turner

Twelve months ago I was in transit at Tokyo airport, tired from the last flight from Heathrow, not into the movies on offer, done the big crossword, finished a book with which I was struggling and wondering how to amuse myself for the next flight home when I remembered Mick Pawley, had recently told me “us oldies should chronicle our experiences before we leave it too late”. So prior to Michael Osbourne’s questions I had already made a start, stalled when life got back in the way, and now picking up the threads. Excuse me if I go off script. Not all of Michael’s questions are answered and some morph into others. Warning, it’s long.

How did your love of cricket come about as a child? Who were your cricket heroes growing up?

As a young son watching our father play. Visits to the SCG to watch Sheffield Shield and Tests, sprints along the concourse at the Sheridan Stand to get good seats behind the wicket with Mum trudging along behind with the food for the day. Heroes were the NSW and Test players of the time.

Tell us a bit about your junior journey on your way to playing at Manly and what are your memories of the club in the early 2000s? Both on and off the field?

My earliest memory of MWDCC is the Saturday morning coaching clinic, run by George Lowe MBE, Alan (Pappy) Lee and John Gwynne at Manly Oval. No junior competitions existed. The story goes that Pappy Lee forgot to pick me up for my first appearance age 7. I’m not sure what our father was doing, he may have been at work.

The grade games commenced at 1.00pm, as many worked Saturday mornings, and those who could make it practised in the nets at the oval of a morning before their game.

The coaching clinics were of three divisions. Wickets were mown into the outfield. Seniors, which included my brother Ken, were in front of the grandstand, intermediates at the southern end and juniors near the tennis courts. The practice nets were at the northern end.

I can recall George Lowe, in his suit and tie, explaining the basic rule of a straight vertical bat with the full height of the bat effective versus the narrow width of a horizontal cross bat. Ramps and reverse sweeps were not in his coaching book.

These Saturday morning coaching clinics have been chronicled in Tom and Lynne Spencers’ fantastic history prepared for the 1978 centenary.

Our father, Allan Turner, now deceased Life Member and player who didn’t start grade cricket until the age of 34, scored 4474 runs for the club and was Secretary for 5 years. Dad and his boyhood mate from Concord in pre WW11 days, Nev Travers, still hold the 2nd Grade opening partnership record they set in 1963 (219). They were both in their forties. Ken and I became involved in the tasks of a cricket club Secretary, being vastly different to current Secretary Steve Beattie’s modern, dynamic input to the administration of the club.

The groundsman, Dan Delaney, a tall, gentle man, was a council employee and did not work Sundays so if there was a Poidevin Gray game or similar being played at the oval, after watering the wicket the night before, whilst the RAT was operating, I would be behind the roller, in the morning, hoping I did not electrocute myself by running over the lead from the shed or run over my foot. I recall it had a mind of its own. We would then repaint the creases as the same wicket would be used.

The groundsman at Brookvale Oval was Merv Paynter, also a Councli employee. “Aye I do love a wee drop of Drambuie” when presented with a Xmas gift. Merv later transferred to Manly Oval and was the culprit of the fresh grassy wicket of the game v Bankstown in 1973.

Another duty was the annual Spring sprigging of the wicket square repairing the damage of the rugby season. Our working bee would assemble of a Sunday morning, axes in hand and a supply of couch runners that Dad had pulled out of our front lawn. A line of axe blows would open the ground and the grass runners would be laid in, watered and closed over with the bottom of the axe. Once again toes survived.

The first Junior Saturday Morning competition commenced around the time I was 10 which replaced the Saturday morning coaching classes. Alex Anderson was an instigator of the competition and he later became a long serving Secretary and Life Member of the club. He appears in the official photo of our 1973/74 1st Grade Premiership team.

Saturday afternoons, after the morning game, were spent on the scoreboard being the rickety, black canvas roller style. One had to be cautious as there were several decking timbers missing. It was replaced with the modern, black, “drop in numbers and letters” board. I was first to score on that board, being nervous not to scratch a letter or number. This board, only relatively recently after also becoming decrepit, was replaced with the current electronic screen. The Bulli soil and grass cuttings’ smell of the old groundsman’s shed adjacent, is still vivid. Off track for a moment… my son Simon and his mates also scored on the “drop in board”. Approximately 30 years ago they were scoring when Manly hosted the Sri Lankan team and I assisted, my job being painting letter A’s and trying to work out abbreviations as their names were far too long and every second letter was an A.

A further promotion was serving cans at the RAT at the age of 14. Listening to the stories of famous players, some of whom ultimately became teammates (Bruce Adrian, Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke, Tom Brooks, Gareth Blades and the like) was an inspiration.

Do you have any clean stories you could share with us?

My first foray into a pub, underage, was after a preseason practice for selection. We walked down Eustace St to the Moorings bar in the old Manly Hotel. Two middies from Percy Philpott and co and I was gone, Ken got me home.

Friday nights at home were stapling together the fundraising “doubles” which were the sweepstakes for the highest score and wicket takers for the next day. Much disappointment if you were given a bowler such as Brian Kinsey for the batting score. BK is proud of the fact that he took more wickets (694) for the club than scored runs.

Mending the nets in the lounge chair at home is also a memory of my father as Secretary. He was taught by a fisherman how to make/mend nets. He bought a special “knitting needle” tool and many nights while watching television he would be making squares to cover holes in the nets.

Dad, whilst not a selector, would attend Monday night’s selection meetings, Mum would type the teams, a copy would be posted on the notice board at Manly Wharf and a copy to the Manly Daily. He was also Publicity Officer and wrote the weekly articles for the Manly Daily until they started editing too much, so he quit.

What are some memories of players at Manly that you played with?

In 1961 Ken, with Ken Nichol and Joe Pawley (Mick’s brother) from Balgowlah Boys High were selected in the NSW Under 14 team and represented in Perth. This was an achievement I was not able to emulate, similar to my failure to match him on the golf course. I was however selected in the NSW CHS team in 1968 and represented in Brisbane at an underdeveloped Gabba. This at least gave me some time off school which only filled in between sport of the weekends anyway. My CHS teammates became good mates when we opposed playing for our respective grade clubs and long term friendships were formed.

I represented in Cawsey Shield and Moore Shield but not Watson Shield as I was by that age playing 4th Grade and ineligible. I captained the Green Shield team in 1967, it was the only time a captain gave me a decent bowl.

The pathway to grade cricket was through the two MWDCC Under 16 D Grade teams the club had playing in the Saturday afternoon park competition. One team was the Harveys and the other the MacDonalds with Ray Harvey and Don MacDonald managing and umpiring. It was a derby when we opposed and it was fatal to get hit on the pads by Macca with his old man umpiring.

The club then also had two Municipal and Shire C Grade teams and I progressed through the team captained by Len Carter including the veteran wicket keeper, Jack Blades, with the next step being 4ths. Our ground for Shires was Grahams Reserve. This then became the 3rd and 4th grades’ ground when we lost Brookvale Oval when it became Brookvale Rectangle and we had already given away Weldon.

I was a committee member in the 1970’s when the club, under President John Hodgson, sponsored the formation of the Warringah Shires and gave them Weldon Reserve. Hence when the club formed a 5th grade we did not have an extra turf wicket and so used Balgowlah Oval synthetic.

My 4th grade captain was the affable, great wine lover and backyard bottling host, Dick Woodfield. Dick also famously managed our premiership inspiring tour of New Zealand over the 1973 Christmas/ New Year break. Team spirit was to the fore and that stays on tour. With half of the touring party from 1sts, we were delighted on the late Friday night flight home when the captain announced it had been raining all week in Sydney. We assumed our one day match at Hurstville was a washout, wine was therefore ordered, otherwise there was a good chance our winning streak may have been derailed as most were not in good shape. We continued on to win the minor premiership with four outright wins, taking 20 wickets in each game. No shifty, forfeiting of innings, into which both Jim Burke and Mick Pawley were capable of persuading a naive opposing captain.

The group of fellow juniors that rose up the grade ranks included the Allums, Phil and Steve, Paul Stephenson, Alan Fraser, Graeme Beard, and the two Ian spin twins, Macca (Ian MacDonald)and Felto (Ian Felton). Stepho toured West Indies with the Australian Schoolboys in 1969. Graeme Beard’s dedication to training was at another level and he deserved his selection in the Australian team that toured Pakistan. Beardy arrived at training early, batted first and was last to leave, donning the pads again at the end, whilst some of us were already on our way to Millers Manly Vale, the Steyne or the Harbord Hilton.

Premierships were won in PG’s in 1968/69 with Ken and Peter Harvey captains, and 3rds 1969/70 under Keith Fitzpatrick. As a group of youngsters we were enjoying success. Unfortunately, we also lost 2 PG finals, the first against Randwick, and one with our team stacked with 1st graders v Petersham who also had a team stacked with 1st Graders. We should have got the job done on a sticky Waverley Oval wicket but didn’t

In 1970 I was a member of the 36 over Rothmans Knock Out winning team including Terry Lee, Peter Philpott and Jim Burke against St George, including Saunders and Watson and other NSW representatives. We were comfortably chasing a very gettable target, until I drove a catch to mid off to start a rot that nearly cost the game. Stepho and Tom Spencer, as last wicket, got us home with an inside snick by Stepho off the last over.

I have mentioned earlier Peter Philpott, Terry Lee, Jim Burke as great representative players I have played with. Terry Lee has the distinction of two 1st Grade premiership wins, 1957/58 and ours captained by Mick Pawley 1973/74

In 1973 I was selected in the NSW Colts squad with Thursday practice sessions at SCG 2. Steve Rixon and I, who worked in the city together, would catch the bus after an early exit from work. The practices were great fun facing Thommo, Pascoe and the like on grassy wickets off 18 yards. Their modus operandi being, apart from showing the selectors how fast they could bowl, to injure us so we were not a threat when playing against them for our clubs.

Whilst overseas the following year I played 3 months in the Middlesex League with Shepherds Bush and toured midweek with a wandering club, The Stoics, to many parts of England. Great times and great cricket.

What was your highest score for MWDCC? What do you remember about that innings?

My top score in grade was 105 in 75 minutes v Wests at Pratten Park, being the only century I scored in grade. I have to rely on PG’s and NZ tour to claim a few more but long stays at the crease were not my forte. The innings against Wests was interesting as the late Bob Simpson was bowling his leggies and not impressed with my lack of respect. He called me a “one day wonder” which confirms he knew his stuff.

This reminds me, in 1976 the committee of which I was a member, sought an overseas player. David Lord a Mosman CC legend was venturing into sports management and had all but inked a deal with Coca Cola for $20,000 for the young West Indian, Vivian Richards, who had scored a century in his first test. As a final check before signing, Coke checked with a sales employee and South Australian leg spinner, as to his thoughts of Richards to be told “he is a one day wonder”. Hence Coke withdrew, Richards signed with Queensland and we know the rest. We signed Alvin Kallicharan who had a wonderful holiday, staying and “entertaining” in the Steyne Hotel. He was recovering from shoulder surgery, was definitely not fully recovered, and top scored with 47. The leg spinner mentioned had a more successful prediction and input with Shane Warne.

Back to Pratten Park… Another occasion at Pratten Park was a year or two later when Wests had batted the first week on a belter, no rain during the week and we turned up, me looking for another century, to a wet sticky and faced the unplayable Wally Welham on a “specially prepared” wicket. As I was trudging off I hurled my bat (I had heard the story of my father hurling his bat once). Unfortunately I hurled it in front of a few guys on the hill who had had a few beers and I had to sheepishly, go over and pick it up. At least I gave them some amusement. Also at Pratten Park, I will never forget one of the best balls I have seen bowled when the late Dave Packer beat Simpson with an off cutter and sheer pace to shatter his stumps.

Another incident was a 2nd grade game at Chatswood when I top edged a hook and it went straight up. I sensed a fielder approaching from leg slip so stayed my ground and dropped my shoulder at the appropriate time to look down and see Marshall Rosen and the ball next to him on the ground. I was given out for obstruction and it made the newspaper, as the last time anyone in grade cricket had been dismissed for obstruction was twelve years before.

Ken and I both had the pleasure of playing with Dad. I was batting with Dad in 3rds when chasing approximately 240 in a one day game at Uni 2. I hit a six over mid wicket so at the end of the over he said I was going well so he would feed me the strike. I wasn’t expecting him to just drop the first ball at his feet and run. Not game to overturn his call I ran and didn’t make it. He payed my “batting fees” that game.

The last personal incident, I promise, was v St George 1973/74. Dad was by now a 1st Grade umpire and doing our game at the oval with Tom Brooks. I was living at home and we agreed that if I got a nick I would walk. I got a nick off John Martin (Big Fav) and habit kicked in, I didn’t look around, being the give-a- way, a stifled appeal and I calmly stood my ground. By the time I had realised I had renigged it was too late to walk so I carried on for 48. Each time I got to Dad’s non strikers end I couldn’t look him in the eye. After the game at RAT we did not speak, mainly because I was avoiding him. Finally when I got home he said “don’t worry, Tozer (NSW keeper) dropped it”… and he had let me stew all day!

I note Hilly omitted (from Greg Hill’s in history story)the day we played at Somerville Oval in 1977 on an horrific underprepared wicket against NDs with Bernard and Clews. Hilly was KO’d and I was next in. Thanks Asif, you were supposed to be sheltering me ! Ken opened and carried his bat, with a mass of bruises, for 18 while the rest of us departed quickly for a team total of 42. Tom Brooks, umpiring, was close to abandoning the game.

What do you think your strength was as a cricketer?

My strength as a cricketer I would like to think was as a teammate who hated to lose and not give in until the last ball was bowled. Many a time as a fielding side we came back from certain defeat to a win.

Who was the best player at Manly that you played with?

The best players at Manly I played with over a reasonable length of time are Terry Lee, Mick Pawley and Mal Elliott. Terry, the son of Pappy and to me a legend, was my initial 1st Grade captain. He was playing when I worked the original scoreboard. He was a great captain for us raw youngsters settling into the higher grade, as not only did he lead by example, he did not suffer fools. If you let the team down, you were not left wondering.

Mick took over for the captaincy for 73/74 year. He made the season an adventure, including “out of the square” captaincy. We played 7 specialist batsmen but only reached 200 twice all season, nothing to rave about despite the excuse of uncovered wickets and anything else we could cling to, to explain this ordinary statistic. After our NZ tour over the Christmas break Mick declared the team set for the remainder of the season. It was disappointing for those in 2nds looking for promotion but took the pressure off those of us trying to hold our spots. It was then all concentration on winning as a team, including special fielding sessions every Wednesday.

Mal (Rolly) Elliott was a senior member of that team and would have to be regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers to don the Waratah cap. His lack of representative selection was puzzling. Lynne Spencer’s photo of him catching Barry Rothwell in the final from an inside knick off Mick is special.

I had the pleasure of nominating Mick as a life Member and quoting his amazing stats. I also had the pleasure of seconding Sam Mesite, Gary Flowers and Greg Hill as Life Members in 1993.

Who was the best player at Manly that you played with?

The best performance at Manly was the Premiership winning spell by Mick in the 1973/74 final win wherein he claimed “5-37 off 31 overs of tantalising and superbly controlled spin bowling which gave him season’s figures of 62 wickets at an average of only 8.71 runs each” (Tom Spencer’s History)

Fond memories include a 118 partnership with my brother Ken at Sydney Uni with our mother watching in the grandstand. Ken was a regular opener and Mick pushed me up the order that day. Alvin Kallicharan was padded up with a few spectators wishing one us of would get out quickly. We made them wait.

My wife, Jenny, and I moved to Dubbo in 1979 which effectively brought an end to a good run of grade cricket. 1978/79 was the only year I had the batting aggregate (472) which shows we were an inconsistent bunch at that time but at least I left on a relative high.

Playing for Dubbo Rugby Club we won the premiership the first year and lost in the final the second year. A visiting MWDCC X1 played against a Dubbo Invitational side. The touring side included Phil Marks, Bob Rickey, Dean Abbey, Ross Wiblin, Gareth Blades , Ken, Keith Fitzpatrick and Nev Travers. Refer 1963 opening partnership with our father who umpired the game. The Atlas Motel trophy was a bugle, which we still have and the grandchildren let the neighbourhood know. Maybe I should present it to the club to be used when chasing quick runs.

Two “comebacks” to captain lower grades were rewarding experiences. 1985 I initially captained 4ths and moved to 3rds, leaving Ken Pitcher with the captaincy and 1994/95 I captained 3rds.

These comebacks gained me lasting friendships with new, younger, teammates. I believe I was Simon Couch’s first grade captain in 1985. Couchy was 16, Cameron Lawes 17, I could add their ages together and still had 10 years on them. My nephew Graeme, David Gainsford, Warren Evans and Adam Parkinson also, come to mind. Parko, who I assume is the club’s most successful captain and Gains have all had huge contributions to the success of the club.

1989/90 whilst working with Andrew Fraser I was sold, as Frase does tend to sell, on the Chairman of Selectors role and followed up the following year. At the same time as Captaining 3rds in 1994 I somehow found myself as Chairman of Selectors again. Apologies Michael for not selecting you in 5ths as you have informed me on a number of occasions. You set a great example of perseverence to ultimately become a valuable, long serving player and administrator of the club. In hindsight I should have taken Sam Mesite’s philosophy for selection of younger players. It has something to do with girlfriends and mothers.

A great honour was being granted Life Membership with my father at the 2000 AGM. Unfortunately, it was an acrimonious AGM due to some who believed they could run the club better. Many not so friendly speeches were made. Towards the end of the meeting, as an aside we were made life members. No speeches were made in support and no speeches were made by us recipients. We were presented with a nice tie that I still wear. It was underwhelming at the time but forever a rare honour cherished, especially taking into account those who have become life members since. As to the election of office bearers at the meeting, in time it became obvious those who thought they could do better realised they couldn’t and some resigned from their positions and responsible administration was restored. A special thank you to Bob Brenner from someone who is aware of what a Secretary’s job entails.

One of the great characters of the club in my time must include the late Tom (the Lizard) Spencer. Tom, of gangly physique and apologetic manner was an amazing leg spinner who, apart from “Warne like” turn, could skid a bouncer at a batsman’s throat off his normal run. The wicket keeper had no chance if it was down the leg side. Tom had a dodgy knee that at times would seize and he would have to be carried off until the knee sorted itself out. Tom’s wife, Lynne, was always in position with camera on the hill and captured amazing action photos. Tom and Lyne’s Centenary History of MWDCC was an excellent record of the club’s 1st hundred years. At Tom’s memorial service in 2022 Lynne showed me the working sheets where they manually compiled every player’s scores and wickets from annual reports, newspapers at the NSW Library, and NSWCA records and added them up as no long term records, other than those of the current year existed. That, in its own right, earned Tom a deserved Life Membership and Lynne should receive it also. If we were washed out, we regularly went to Tom’s parents’ house at Seaforth and played snooker, which as a young PG’s player I thoroughly enjoyed.

We are all aware of it by now, if not what rock have you been hiding under ? The most memorable game, other than the grand final win, was against Bankstown at Manly Oval in 1973 which included Mick Pawley bowling a bean ball at Jeff Thompson off 18 yards. Rolly Elliott knew it was coming and the ball thudded into his glove next to Thommo’s ear. He was out bowled the next ball, uttering obscenities and threats as he departed. This was not such a great thing for us batsmen to witness as we still had to bat again in the 2nd innings. The game was a shouting match with Mick pointing his bat, telling Thommo, walking back to his mark backwards, he “thought he could bowl quicker and to try again” then Mick would back away, swing and snick again over the top for another boundary. Alan Fraser then pulled Thommo for six into the tennis courts with the ball not reaching head height. Alan paid the penalty with sore ribs the same over. We won the game and went on to win the premiership. That Bankstown game and the final have been chronicled in prior reminiscences.

I “missed” large sections of our fielding sessions in our premiership year as I was designated by Mick as the bunny to “run interference”. I positioned myself at the very end of the front crease at silly point. As soon as I saw the batsman take a backswing I spun around and covered up for my own safety in case he played a square cut. Despite looking silly if it wasn’t, it had the effect of mentally hindering the batsman moving across and Rolly at keeper, Terry Lee and Phil Allum in the slips reaped the benefits with almost 60 catches for the season. The attached photo in the Manly Daily shows some action.

The best nick name ? Fingers… no name and no explanation.

Otherwise, Killer for Jeff MacPherson. He never found out who stole his trousers on a Newcastle trip but he was intent on homicide. The name stuck and possibly had an impact on nervous opposition batsmen when we called his name in encouragement. As a slightly built, unlikely looking opening bowler but with a silky smooth action, he had a skidding bouncer that caught many batsmen unaware. One such batsman was the Bankstown opener Grace in that infamous game. We batted first, got approximately 240 in quick time, no-one was hanging around. First over from Killer, a trademark skidding bouncer broke his specs… oh shit, and we were going to have to bat again! I had a great view from silly point and helped pick up the pieces.

What does your life involve now, and do you keep abreast of how the Waratahs are faring?

My life has not moved geographically far from Manly and the oval. Raised at North Balgowlah, moved to Queenscliff when married to Jenny, two years in Dubbo, 32 years at Balgowlah Heights, and currently into our 12th year at Balgowlah.

We have a son, Simon who lives at North Curl Curl and daughter, Lauren who is on acreage in the Upper Hunter where we visit frequently. Five grandchildren, none of whom have taken to cricket as surfing, as with Simon, and mountain biking have taken priority. However, Ken has 6 grandchildren, three who are currently in their respective Manly juniors representative sides. It would be great if one or all ultimately played for MWDCC as that would complete four respective generations playing for the Waratahs. His youngest grandson, Thomas, recently scored 103 in the Cawsey Shield.

I believe our father, Allan, Ken and I, and Graeme and Mark (Ken’s sons) have the aggregate of most runs scored by a family for MWDCC (18,374), open for challenge. I am aware that Tim Cruickshank and Cameron Merchant combined beat that… but they are not family, not withstanding, the Waratahs are one large, amazing family.

Not so sure on dates but in the nineties we arranged under the name of the Manly Cavaliers X1, games at Manly Oval and away v Primary Club and Hong Kong Cricket Club. It was lovely to get back into the creams and enjoy a beer after. Best bowler in those games, who I wished chose cricket rather than league was Darren Bradstreet. In those games he had the batsmen terrified, we won them all when he was with us.

Not being able to get the Blue Blood out of my veins I became involved again in 2018 assisting with net management on Tuesdays. Thanks for the opportunity Gains. Once again I have benefited from knowing another generation of players. It is an honour and rewarding to see, and to have participated in, the club at the very top of grade and district cricket globally.

I enjoy our get togethers at the Blue Blood, not that we need an excuse to wander down to watch the latest talent. I have more stories to tell, that’s enough for now and keeping the rest for over beers at the oval.

I have mentioned earlier Steve Beattie, however no missive about the Waratahs would be complete without a huge call to Andrew Fraser our perennial President. I first came across Frase in a 4th Grade game when the club was short of players. Ken and I were called up by Tom Spencer, the captain, to fill in. A young upstart made himself known. Who was to know here was the club’s future for many years, and still going. Well done Frase, enjoying our golf, not that you are very competitive !
A thank you to our mother, Nancy, Jenny and Judy (Ken’s wife) for tolerating cricketing husbands and the wonderful afternoon teas. Not forgetting our sister, Rosemary, who had the misfortune of playing tennis at the oval courts and, apart from dodging Terry Lee sixes, had two brothers who requested our captains field us on the mid wicket boundary so we could give her some advice.

Thanks for reading, if you have got this far.

Frank (Frantic) Turner – MWDCC Life Member