Early Beginnings
Challenge Match – Burwood vs Box Hill, 25 April, 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May 1891
At the end of the season, Burwood’s President, Mr.A.Gilmour challenged Box Hill to a play-off between the two clubs to determine the champion team of the area – with a stipulation that the game be played on Burwood’s home ground. This match started on 25 April 1891 and lasted six consecutive Saturday’s until finally ending on 29 May 1891 with a two wicket win to Burwood. In the end it was Hurrey’s 134 not out in Burwood’s first innings which won the match, despite a desperate fight-back from Box Hill and the efforts of Charles White who made 28 and 56 in respective innings.
Burwood 220 (W.Hurrey 134no, G.Mills 31) & 8-81 (W.Meader 5-67 match, P.Schober 7-101 match) def Box Hill 111 (C.White 28, M.Mills 4 wickets, W.Hurrey 3 wickets) & 197 (J.Steele 39, C.White 56, Brewer 31, M.Mills 5 wickets – match 9-101) Burwood won Outright by 2 Wickets
1892
At Burwood, their AGM was a lavish event that started with a program of local singing talent. After winning the previous year’s championship, they didn’t hold back with Mr.Gilmour stating regret that Burwood had not formally competed before 1891-92, and that they should be recognised as the best club in the eastern suburbs.
The club was presented with the Gilmour trophy and each individual player was given a premiership medallion, in return the players gave Gilmour a gold framed photograph of the premiership side.
The Lost Years
There is a period of time when there was no team for Burwood. The early 1900s to the 1920s are currently being investigated as to whether Burwood actually fielded a team - stay tuned.
From the 1920s
What we do know is that the Burwood Cricket Club was re formed in 1922 and played in local competitions the last being the Burwood District Cricket Association. Remarkably the club only had three secretaries and three presidents over a 40-year period, up to the 1963/64 season. The club won five of the last seven premierships in the BDCA. Up until 1963/64 Burwood was a very successful side winning 18 premierships at A, B and C level. The table is shown below:
Premierships
Season Grade Premier
1925-26 A Burwood
1925-26 B Burwood
1926-27 A Burwood
1926-27 B Burwood
1930-31 A Burwood
1930-31 B Burwood
1933-34 B Burwood
1937-38 B Burwood
1940-41 A Burwood
1941-42 A Burwood
1945-46 A Burwood
1945-46 B Burwood
1956-57 A Burwood
1958-59 C Burwood
1959-60 A Burwood
1960-61 A Burwood
1961-62 A Burwood
1962-63 A Burwood
Premiership Players
From the 1920s to 60s we had number of players that participated in winning grand finals. The list is a tribute to their personal success, their team and our club’s proud history.
Name Premierships
Fergie G 6
Warner M 6
Melville A 5
Luff H 5
Packer M 5
Sunderland P 5
Sykes R 5
Fielden M 5
Stonehouse L 5
Anderson J 4
Clements G 4
Kerr J 4
Luff R 4
Grace A 4
Swan M 4
Grace M 4
The 60's and Beyond
In the 1964/65 season, the club applied for and was granted entry to the Eastern Suburban Cricket Association (ESCA), raising enough money for a turf square, heavy roller and a professional captain/coach, Noel Parnell (ex. Richmond and VCA 2nd XI opening batsman). The club was graded straight into Senior Turf and finished Runner Up in its first season. Noel Parnell amassed 626 runs and David Teasdale took 55 wickets (still a Burwood Club record in Senior Turf). The Second Eleven was also Runner Up in C-Grade Turf in its opening season.In 1968/69 the club won its first premiership in the ESCA during this season, winning both Senior and C-Grade Turf. The First Eleven scored a thrilling last wicket victory over Ashburton, with Captain/Coach John Butler (ex Carlton and South Melbourne VCA) scoring a match winning century. The Second Eleven ended up easily defeating Deepdene by nearly 200 runs in the C Turf grand final of the same year.From 1976 to 1989 the club endured indifferent years in the Turf sections during this time with the First Eleven being relegated to A-Grade. However the Third and Fourth Elevens were regular finalists, winning flags under Des DeKretser and Max Warner.In 1989/90 season the club finally won an A-Grade flag and promotion under Captain/Coach David Power, defeating Heathmont in a high scoring match. Burwood scored 542 to Heathmont 309 with our openers Malcolm Fielden (216) and Michael Grace (119) setting an opening record of 252.
In 1991/92 a second Senior Turf grand final was won. In 1994/95 another Senior Turf flag was won. The D Turf team of 1996/97 had a great grand final victory.
The introduction of the Limited Overs Competition in 1999/00 proved to be a sign of things to come in the league. Burwood was the inaugural winners of this competition.
The club had to wait until 2006/07 for the next grand final win and this was in the LOC. A star studded team was assembled to try and win the competition. On the back of captain Stonehouse. L who scored 1097 runs in the LOC and (1269 for the club that year) and club veteran Ron Luff with 5 wickets (man of the match), the win was incredibly satisfying.
From 2010 onwards
In 2010/11 the club had dual success as many of the younger players started developing from excellent juniors. D Turf Thomson Shield (MyCricket page) was a wonderful win by the very young side led by James Wood who scored a magnificent captains’ century of 124. In fact Lachlan Stonehouse (121) playing D Synthetic Merrell Shield (MyCricket page) also scored a century as both teams tasted grand final success (read the report). There was a wonderful crowd at Ashburton for the second day of the turf game as the D Synthetic finished on the Sunday. Such a memorable day with a very large supporter base. Many of the current players were part of this team and they have come on and are now playing senior cricket.
In 2011/12 the club won the C Synthetic Wilson Shield, being promoted from D Synthetic. The year was a dominant one for the club losing one game but winning the semi on the back of a 60 from Mark Swan and some very tight bowling.
The B Turf Sturgess Shield was significant for the team as they needed to virtually win all of the six remaining games to make the finals. They did. The team beat the top placed Donvale in the semi and then headed to play Marcellin in the final who finished third. Marcellin won the toss and batted. In 43.5 overs we had bowled them out for 101 with Jackson Sharpe taking a grand final record haul of 9/30. A phenomenal performance. We battled for the remainder of the time to be 8/166 from 59 overs, Stonehouse 78no and man of the match Sharpe 22no. A sensational win and a first premiership for many including John Doak the captain.
Division 2 Vets after playing in several grand finals broke the drought with a win in 2015/16.
The 22 years of waiting for another senior grand final win is now over. The team consisted of 8 talented juniors who had been through the Burwood ranks and a mix of a few senior players. The team managed to win the last 13 games. The grand final was a sweet win for fostering our own talent. Scores BCC 9/255 defeated La Trobe University 120. Read the full summary by Tom Keys here.