the history of western suburbs district cricket club 1921-2002

-8-GROUNDSOwing to their delightful environment, their open position, the splendid light and the absence of shadows,our grounds have always been admired by visiting players. These conditions are, in the main, due to theexcellent groundsmen our club has always possessed. During the early days the wickets weremaintained by voluntary effort. The first groundsman of whom there is any record was Mr RandallNewman. This gentleman (before the day of electorate cricket) prepared and rolled the wickets in hisperiods of leisure.In 1925, the services of Mr Jack McAndrew were made available. Jack, himself an old interstate player,and formerly associated with the preparation of one of the finest grounds in Queensland (the old Goodnawicket) set about fashioning a club ground whose playing surface was destined to become one of the bestin Australia. The present condition of the ground is a monument to the unwavering persistence anddevotion to duty of this conscientious curator and his assistants.GRANDSTANDIn 1930 a fence was built around the No.1 oval at an approximate cost of £50. Subsequently a gate tothis oval was erected by Mr W H Huet. The materials and cost of this gate represented a donation to theclub by that gentleman.After years of zealous endeavour and tedious waiting, the proposed Grandstand became a reality inth1936. On Saturday, 5 September, of that year, the official opening took place. In the absence of thePresident of the Queensland Cricket Association (Mr J S Hutcheon) the opening ceremony wasperformed by the Club’s President, Mr R J Hartigan. The opening ceremony was concluded and a matchbetween a club team and a team lead by the President was played. The stand which was built at anapproximate cost of £1,000 was designed to accommodate 250 spectators and is a distinct asset to theclub.REFRESHMENT STALLIn response to repeated requests from our patrons, members and visiting players the Refreshment Stallwas erected during the off season of the year 1946. The pretty, little design was the work of Mr RobertFranklin - a prominent member of our club. The work of erecting the stall was carried out by a localbuilder - Mr George McLeod.The acceptance of Mr Franklin’s plan was made possible through the wonderful generosity of one of ourmost enthusiastic members and a splendid club man - Mr Robert Auld. This gentleman guaranteedsufficient finance to enable the club to proceed with the project. Your club is deeply indebted to thesegentlemen and the stall will be a lasting monument to their club-spiritedness.FUTURE IMPROVEMENTSAt the moment of writing, plans are underway for the construction of a new scoreboard - a permanentfixture.It is proposed that a board be erected on the side of the oval, in a position easily discernable by bothplayers on the field and patrons in the stand. This would obviate its removal every Saturday and wouldprovide added comfort for players and spectators alike.THE STATISTICIAN’S DEPARTMENTINTERNATIONALS1. R J Hartigan (v England)In the 1907-1908 season, playing at Adelaide, he scored a century (116) in his first Test Match,thand in association with the late Clem Hill (160) established a record 8 wicket partnership of 243in Australian Test Cricket - a record, which as yet, remains unbroken. His Test Match averagefor that season was 42.5. In 1909 Roger toured England with the Australian Team.2. H M (“Pud”) Thurlow (v South Africa)Was selected to play in the Test Match against South Africa, at Adelaide, in the 1931-1932season. Although he did not capture a wicket, Thurlow recorded the fine figures of 39 overs, 7maidens, 86 runs, 0 wickets, on a pitch which is regarded by most Australian cricketers as “thefast bowler’s heart-break”.3. W A Brown (v England)(v South Africa)Has toured England twice with Australian Teams.Has played in 11 Tests against England and Tests against South Africa. Brown’s highest Testscore was 206 N.O. at Lords in 1938.On his second tour Brown scored an aggregate of 1,992 runs and averaged 53.83 runs.Against South Africa Brown scored 121 in a Test, at Capetown in 1935-36.In 1946, Brown was honoured by being appointed captain of the Australian side which touredNew Zealand.