Mont Albert Cricket Club History


The Mont Albert Cricket Club was formed in 1930 although its origins can be traced to the early 1920's. It is the fourth oldest Club in the Eastern Cricket Association and is the only Club which has continuously participated in the top grade - now known as the Dunstan Shield - of the Competition.

From 1930 - 1936 the Club competed in the Box Hill Reporter & District Cricket Competition. However, in 1937, it joined the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Association (now known as the Eastern Cricket Association).

The Mont Albert Cricket Club is based at Mont Albert Reserve. Throughout the various grades it has won 45 Premierships. The First XI has won nine Premierships with "back-to-back" Premierships in 1938-39; 1939-40; in 1961-62; 1962-63 and, again, in 1997-98 and 1998-99. In 1959-60 and in 2005-06 and 2006-07 the First XI was runner-up.

In 2001-02 the Club's Under 14 team won the ECA Premiership and in 2005/06 the Under 16 team won the title.

The Veterans' "Blue" Team has participated in seven successive Veterans Grand Finals. The Blues won five successive BHRDCA Premierships from 2001-02 to 2005-06 and in each of seasons 2006-07 and 2007-08 it was runner up.

A second Veterans team ("Red") participated in the BHRDCA finals series in 2002-3; 2003-4; 2005-06; 2006-07 and in 2007-08. The "Reds" won its inaugural Premiership in 2004-5 followed by a second Premiership in 2005-06.

In 2004-5 a third Veterans team ("Gold") was formed with the side making the Grand Final only to lose in a close result. In 2005-06 and 2007-08 the team was runner-up.

In 2005-6 a fourth Veterans team ("Purple") was formed and won the BHRDCA Premiership in its first season. In 2006-07 and in 2007-08 the "Purples" was runner-up losing the 2007-08 Grand Final to Deepdene by just 3 runs.

In 2007-08 a fifth Veterans team - the "Greens" (for players over 50 years of age) was formed. It participated in the competition's inaugural Grand Final but lost to United Eagles.

Most importantly, Mont Albert Cricket Club is recognised as an innovative; well-administered and successful Club which offers its players a "pathway" to higher cricket. Ex-junior players currently make up more than a quarter of the senior playing strength of the Club.

Seven Mont Albert Players have played First Class cricket - Arthur Dummett (Victoria), Dave Cowper (Victoria), Jim Higgs (Victoria and Australia), Alan Thomson (Victoria and Australia), Mike Dimattina (Victoria); Sean Cary (Western Australia) and John Owens (Derbyshire).

Mont Albert Cricket Club has over 200 members, the vast majority of whom live within the City of Whitehorse.

Dunstan Medals have been won eight times by Mont Albert players with Noel King winning three and Len Williams two. Len Williams was also runner-up three times.

The Dave Dickie Cup has been won twice and the Perc Richardson Trophy has been won once by Mont Albert cricketers.

Four Mont Albert players have been awarded Life Membership by the ECA - Geoff Mair (1959), Ron Hodge (1988); Garnet Armstrong (1993) and Richard Barker (2006). Three players have had ECA Grade Competition Shields named after them - Garnet Armstrong (C Grade Turf), Geoff Mair (E Grade Turf) and Richard Barker (Under 12).

Since the late 1980's the Club has fielded between 2 and 10 junior teams each season.

The Club currently fields five senior X1's, five Veterans X1's and twelve junior X1's.


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