the history of western suburbs district cricket club 1921-2002

-57-and Peter Somerville, a sportsman’s dinner with Merv Hughes as guest speaker. Greg Rowell playedas Second Grade batsman captain for the season as a result of a foot injury.Eight of the previous year’s First Grade team could not play this season. Darren Brown once againlooked after the U19 team. Maurice and Denise Gray were particularly praiseworthy for the way theyconsoled Don and Beryl Kersey and developed a real intercontinental friendship. The Gray’s and otherclub members spent many hours vigil at Graham’s bedside in the eight days between his accident anddeath. It was soul destroying for all concerned and followed the similar tragic losses of Steven Farmerand Scott Fisher.Glenn Scarffe with 220 runs and 25 wickets came second in the Peter Burge medal, after not havingplayed First Grade for several years. Ross Lupton did well when given a first grade opportunity. BrettStephensen finished during the season as well after giving wonderful service for 11 seasons.The Second Grade team had an excellent season under Greg Rowell’s captaincy ending up as beatenSecond Grade finalist. The batting was headed by David Lossberg, Robbie Walker, Peter Cameron,Steven Ryan, Matthew Calwell and Glamorgan visitor, Michael Powell. Leading wicket takers wereRobbie Walker, Murray Proctor, Bruce Worthington and Ricky Wallace who made real advances withbat and ball.The Sixth Grade team again won the premiership under the captaincy of Dan Crompton. In fixturematches Eddie Ebert set a QCA all timers record for the Grade of 531 runs and scored a valuable 72in the final. Other successful batsmen were 49 year old Graham Stirling (400 runs at 30.77), StephenRyan (336 runs at 33.6 including his highest score in more than 100 games of 167), and Mark Walker(269 runs at 24.45). The leading wicket takers were Jeff Rae (32 wickets at 10.88), Flash Ryan (40wickets at 12.60), David Cook (31 wickets at 13.81) and the captain(19 wickets at 13.89).Chris Magoffin headed QCA Fourth Grade wicket takers with 44 and Mark Le Flay in the same teameffected 29 dismissals to also head the QCA list.Steve Paulsen’s wicket tally in U16 dropped off to 11 but he compensated with 439 runs at 73.17, bestin the QCA. Other future first graders, Steve Magoffin, Brett Beavan, Matthew Lane and DavidPamenter played in the U16 team.FIRST GRADECenturiesFive WicketsS L Ryan 105 G A C Scarffe 16/4/42/6R D Lupton 103 G A C Scarffe 30/8/81/6B R Stephensen 20.2/5/61/7B Worthington 24.5/6/85/61997-8Office bearers were similar to previous years with the addition of Dan Crompton and Geoff Parkinsonto the committee. Peter Cameron was appointed club coach and paid a part time salary by the QCA inline with their now established scheme to fund a coach for all clubs. The club won the Club Championshipfor the seventh time. A women’s team commenced playing matches with a view to playing formal QCAfixtures in the following season. Sixth Grade was abolished with reversion to an U18 grade. Westsfielded two teams in Fourth Grade and many of the players who participated in the winning Sixth Gradepremierships of the last two seasons moved up to Fifth Grade and again won the premiership under DanCrompton’s captaincy. “New” players to play this year were Mal Gold, Andrew Leitch and GregGunton. The best batsmen were Graham Stirling (413 runs at 29.50), Greg Gunton (388 at 29.84) andDale Lawson (320 at 32.00, HS 148 not out). The skipper took 50 wickets at 9.50 and Andrew Leitch29 wickets at 9.24, including 9 for 72 in both innings in the final. Paul Taylor broke the Fifth Grade clubrecord with 32 dismissals. David Cook finished his outstanding career with Wests by snapping ahamstring early in the grand final.A sportsman’s dinner with David Boon as guest speaker was held. David Cook again organised asuccessful stockbroker’s day.The U18 team containing future first grader, Cameron McLeod who scored 99 were beaten grandfinalists under coach John Draney. They were an inspiration in attempting to chase 500 runs set by theirGold Coast opponents. Adam Matthews performed well as an all rounder. Peter Somerville’s teamwas undefeated Third Grade minor premiers but were beaten in their semifinal.The club fielded a team in the Subdistricts competition for the first time with disappointing on field results.This involved a lot of additional administration. Tony Dell organised a development U15 team whoplayed against five other clubs. The First Grade team were without Darren Kingdon, Dennis Albionand Dirk Tazelaar who all retired after the previous season.Geoff Paulsen returned to the club after two seasons at Beenleigh Logan and performed well in the FirstGrade Metway One Day matches, which was won by a Brett Stephensen led Toowoomba. LeighDalton after scoring 115X against Norths won selection for Queensland Colts against NSW scoring 15and 35 in a Queensland team containing 7 future state players. Greg Rowell played two matches in theSheffield Shield (4 wickets) and four matches in the MM Cup (5 wickets). The batting was led by DavidLossberg, Chris Torrisi, Ross Lupton and Steven Ryan and the bowling by Andrew Cowan (30wickets), Jon Dooley (21 wickets) and Greg Rowell (17 wickets). Bruce Worthington at age 37 bowledhis offspinners superbly early in the season. In Second Grade a young Steven Paulsen took 5 wicketsin an innings on three occasions.FIRST GRADECenturiesD A Lossberg 127D A Lossberg 103R D Lupton 108