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The History of Kincumber-Avoca Cricket Club
Kincumber Cricket Club was one of the first cricket clubs formed on the Central Coast around the mid 1860s. It was one of five clubs in 1920 to form the Gosford District Cricket Association.
Prior to 1919 the games were social affairs played between local clubs and some sides from Sydney, the latter coming up by boat to Davistown to play. At other times, the local Club travelled to Sydney. In those early years, the team played locally on a ground in Davis Avenue, Davistown opposite where local Kincumber Avoca legend, Perc Henderson lives, as well as at the Kincumber Cricket ground (later Frost Reserve). The Kincumber side (called the "Cucumbers" in those days), included players from original families in the area, including "Frosts", "Normans", "Dunlops" and "Humphreys".
From the mid 1890s, cricket was predominantly played a social basis. Often matches would be scheduled against a local club one week, and against a Sydney team the next. Other local clubs to appear consistently at this time were Gosford, Wyong, Ourimbah, Yarramalong, Narara and Jilliby. Teams from Erina, Wamberal, Noraville, and Wyee also appeared. Formal Brisbane Water competitions were held in 1899-00 and 1906-07 and in both seasons Kincumber finished third in a field of six. In 1912-13 the Wyong District Cricket Association commenced, though Kincumber did not enter. In 1920-21 the Gosford District Cricket Association was formed and from that date Kincumber club played in competition each season. Kincumber were the inaugural winners. The following season Narara and Ourimbah switched from Wyong District, Terrigal and Lisarow were formed, and a second grade competition commenced. At the end of the 1929/30 season the Chapman Shield was won by First Grade concluding a decade of dominance in local cricket, including seven premierships in ten years. A replica of the Shield now resides in the Sports Bar of the Central Coast Leagues Club. The trophy cabinet remained untouched for the next thirty years, although Kincumber were always competitive.
In the mid fifties, a team from the Avoca area entered the competition and started to build a very competitive team playing at Heazlett Park (Avoca Oval). The team, based around Nev (Weary) Wilson, Bill Phillips, Jack Harding, Frank Martin and George Rees made the Grand Final in 1959/60, only to be beaten by Gosford at Grahame Park. The following season after the amalgamation of the Kincumber and Avoca Clubs, the First Grade side won the Premiership, defeating The Entrance in the final on a rain affected wicket. It would be another thirty four years before First Grade won another title in 1994/95.
During the 70s and 80s, the Club had much success, mainly in the lower Grades. They won the prestigious Prudential Cup two years running (1981/82 and 1982/83) under the captaincy of Terry Walters. During these years, a lot of talented players and characters joined the Club and their influence and personalities are still felt today. Len Bowcock, the grand old man of Central Coast cricket, played continuously for 50 seasons. The Jarvis family have had three consecutive generations of brothers, Les and Norman, Robert and Kevin, Scott and Dean, play with the KincumberAvoca Club. Other players such as the Late Bill Tobin, Don Scott-Orr, Dennis Campbell, Bruce Phillips, Brian Sawyer, Warwick Barr, Ian Moad, Rod Masters, Perc Henderson, John Geerke, Warwick Banks, Steven Milne and many more, have all had a long association with the Club, and in some cases, their Sons continue this tradition.
In the early 90s, Ross Shepherd, Bill Lothian and Mal Elliott joined the Club from Toukley after playing together in Sydney Grade with the Cumberland Club. The professional attitude they brought to the First Grade side at the time, transformed the team into premiership contenders, winning the jack Gavenlock Shield three years out of six from 1994.
Bill Sawers also joined the Club around this time, and his captaincy and experience along with a talented base of players, dominated the Third Grade competition h winning g five premierships between 1990 and 1999.
The 1994/95 season showed how much depth was in the Club at the time when KincumberAvoca won four out of six premierships (First, Seconds, Thirds and Sixth Grade), with the Fifths going down in the semifinals, and Fourth Grade being washed out in the Grand Final.
KincumberAvoca policy has always been to promote promising juniors into the senior ranks, particularly into Second and First Grades, to give them experience on turf. The combination of experienced older players and a sprinkling of juniors, has guaranteed the success of the Club over recent years and will ensure that the depth of playing skill continues. This is evidenced by the fact that there are eight local juniors in the current First Grade side, and players such as Todd Hoare and Darren Wotherspoon currently playing in the Sydney First Grade competition.
Finally, the KincumberAvoca Club would not be the Club it is today without the efforts of the tireless workers who over a long period of time, have put in so much effort to make the Club the best on the Central Coast. Thanks to Kevin Jarvis, Perc Henderson, Dave Robertson, Bob Jarvis, Geoff Wotherspoon and Ross Shepherd.
Yours in cricket
FRANK O'TOOLE
Thanks Frank - if anyone else has any historical information or pictures please let us know and we’ll publish it right here at Club Griffin!