The History of Kincumber-Avoca Cricket Club
Founded in 1866
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.
1920's Gosford District Cricket Association
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.
1950's Heazlett Park
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.
1970's
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 Kincumber/Avoca 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, Frank O’toole and many more, have all had a long association with the Club, and in some cases, their Sons continue this tradition.
1990's
In the early 90s, Ross Shepherd, Bill Lothian and Mal Elliott joined the Club from Toukley after playing in the Sydney 1st Grade competition with the Cumberland & Manly clubs. 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 winning five premierships between 1990 and 1999.
The 1994/95 season showed how much depth was in the Club at the time when Kincumber/Avoca 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. This season was the beginning of a period of domination by our first grade side that has taken us through to 2011. During this period saw the side make 13 semi final appearances which included 8 grand final appearances with 5 grand final wins to their credit. The players captaining through the majority of this time were Stephen Milne, Daniel Rowe, Shaun Robertson and Jamie Rowe.
Junior development
Kincumber/Avoca’s 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 is a very high percentage of local juniors in the current First Grade side, and players such as Stephen Milne, Ben Garrett, Matthew Makepeace, Chad Soper, Todd Hoare and Darren Wotherspoon have played or are currently playing in the Sydney First Grade competition. Players to represent at the highest levels include Chris Rogers (Australian Test Team),Leon Thompson, Shaun Robertson & Daniel Rowe (NSW Country Team) Jenny Wallace (WA State Team), Mark Robertson (NSW Country Colts - 2 years) & Jamie Rowe (NSW Country & Australian Country Teams).
2005 Erina Turf Wickets
The Kincumber/Avoca cricket club began to prepare the Erina turf wickets in 2005 under the guidance of Mark Danckert, David Robertson and Bob Jarvis. The club took the opportunity to develop turf training wickets at the southern end of Erina oval. The dedication of Mark and his team to the centre wicket and surrounding Oval culminated in the presentation of the “curator of the year” from NSW country cricket in 2005/06. In addition to this Mark was presented with a service award by the CCCA in 2011.
With the focus of Stephen Milne and his committee on the club’s facilities, the club embarked on a major upgrade. Rod Master was able to obtain a considerable grant to help build the 4 wicket concrete training facility, New covers have been acquired, a second roller was purchase as well as a super sopper and a mower for the turf wickets. There has been an upgrade of the Frost reserve nets at Kincumber with Paul Koen working with the Gosford Council to secure this. This focus has led to the Erina Ground being selected to host the first grade grand final on a regular basis. It has the best facilities currently in central coast cricket.
Our Future
With the club in a sound financial position and a strong committee in place the Kincumber/Avoca Cricket Club now looks to the future. With such First grades senior players such as Shaun Robertson, Mark Robertson, Jamie Rowe and the return of Scott Jarvis to blend in with the clubs youth, the club will be a formidable side for years to come.
KACC First XI 1959-60 Grand Finalists
|
Back Row: Ted Chalmers, Jack Harrowell, Eric Gibbons, Jack Harding, Malcolm Pickett,
Geoff Frost, Peter Brand
Front Row: Bill Phillips, Frank Martin, Neville Wilson, Ross Dartnell
|