THE SECOND DAY
On 11 October, Futter hit a four from McBeath but was then immediately caught. McBeath 6-23, Marsh 4-36.
Sydney then batted sedately. Quist again scored 37 before Freeman had him stumped by Waddy. Waddy was to play 55 first class games and was once 12th man for Australia. His wicket keeping was discarded in favour of his technically correct batting. Freeman had taken his only 1st Grade wicket, a NSW captain. Verge took another four wickets; Futter another two. Sydney had a lead of 201.
University then lost Waddy and Stephen to Marsh before increasing gloom saw an end to the match with University 2 for 30.
RESOURCEFUL BOWLING BUT TIMID BATTING
It had been a promising return to 1st Grade for University. To bowl out the accomplished Sydney batsmen twice was a remarkable effort for such inexperienced bowlers. The batting, however, was undeniably weak. At University Oval, the University 2nds had also been soundly beaten, scoring only 99 and 118 against Waverley. In Round 2, the 1sts just avoided an outright defeat to Leichhardt-Balmain. 2nds struggled to 101 but were powerless to prevent Sydney from leading by 238.
NO DEPTH
1sts did not win a game until February when they overcame Glebe (with six present or future NSW players including three Australian players) by 16 runs in an inspiring display as Fisher took 7-55. Then in March, the potential in the side was demonstrably evident when Woodburn scored 119 before Fisher’s 6-48 demolished Redfern.
From nine games, University finished in equal seventh place with three victories.
The standard of the side’s fielding, however, caused the Annual Report’s writer (probably EF Waddy) to assert that it was “patchy, sometimes very good, at others, bad and slovenly.”
In 1902-03, University fielded only two teams in the Grade competition and the 2nds were consistently and comfortably humiliated, winning only one game. Towards the end of the season, things seem to fall apart completely in 2nds. In the penultimate round, they were defeated by an innings and 235 runs. In the last round came the worst defeat in the Club’s history in any grade. University scraped together a dismal 45. Redfern replied with an opening partnership of 296 and with an astounding 8 for 729.
THE DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN
1902-03 was the Club’s first season back in the 1st Grade competition for five years.
In August 1897, the NSWCA had announced that the University teams would, from then on, include only undergraduates. A rescission motion was lost and University consequently withdrew from the NSWCA.
In 1897-98, the Club played a motley assortment of opponents (Sydney Juniors, Illawarra, Warwick Club, Mudgee, Stoddart’s touring English team).
In August 1898, University, swallowing some pride, applied for readmission to the NSWCA.
In September 1898, University’s 1st XI was permitted to play in the 2nd Grade competition but restricted to undergraduates. The Club’s leading players were forced to leave the Club and play elsewhere.
In the next four seasons, University won the 2nd Grade twice, memorably in the Final of 1901-02 at the SCG when they beat Glebe by six runs, on the back of Fisher’s seven wickets.
In May 1902, Hermes observed:
“The usual application for admission to the 1st Grade competition has been made and rumour hath it that our prospects are exceedingly bright.”
By August 1902, despite the efforts of some club delegates to the NSWCA to restrict the Club to men living in one of the university colleges only, the club was readmitted with its players “matriculated students proceeding to a degree.”
THE PRIVILEGE OF PLAYING FOR THE CLUB
Since those days, we have been aware of not taking our position for granted in the Sydney Grade competitions.
In particular, in 1997, we were almost expelled.
Since 1997, we have won four Club Championships, six 1st Grade Premierships and 20 lower grade or under-age Premierships.
From these troubles we have emerged more confident, more successful, more aware of our traditions and the privilege that is associated with playing for University.
Within twelve years of the readmission in 1902 and despite initially faltering progress, University won three 1st Grade Premierships with its teams consisting solely of students proceeding to a degree.
VOICES FROM 120 YEARS AGO
FC (Cecil) Rogers played in that first game of the 1902-03 season at Rushcutters Bay.
Towards the end of his long life, he talked with Eric McElhone who made his debut for the Club in 1904. McElhone recalled that conversation:
“We regarded it as a great honour to get into the University team. Cecil and I were privileged to have played in an era when cricket was played hard and keenly but always as a sport and a game, and never as a battle.”
James Rodgers
