We hope you can join us for this year’s Annual Awards Evening!
Here are the details:
Date: Friday, 21 April 2023
Venue: Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, 33 Peel St Kirribilli
Time: 6:30pm for 7:00pm seating
Dress: Cocktail
Tickets are available in the website shop. Click the link below to be taken there:
“The following tribute, in Geoff Pike’s memory, was written by Peter James, Geoff’s opening bowling partner in 1st Grade in the 1970s. Between them, they took 786 wickets in all grades (Peter James 356 from 1967 until 1977. Geoff Pike 430 from 1969 until 1984) for the Club. In 1st grade, Peter took 320 wickets and Geoff took 242. “
Geoff Pike, Vale
The SCG members long bar and the adjacent dining area were full to overflowing to witness Geoff Pike’s final innings, to hear heartfelt tributes from Sue and his family, a glowing eulogy from his solicitor colleague/ friend John Coorey, each introduced by fellow SUCC bowler and pal Chris Elder, plus to share memories of his life and friendship among us all.
These encapsulated the key important factors in his life – family, the legal profession, and cricket (or more specifically the Sydney University Cricket Club). They also referred to his courage and stoicism with which he faced numerous serious medical challenges over the past decade, and especially over a ravaging final 12 months. Almost 72 years was far too short, but it was a lifetime of great achievement and success at the personal, sporting and professional level.
Professionally, after graduation in arts law at Sydney University in 1974, he was admitted to be a solicitor, did articles at Stephen Jacques & Stephen, joined Dawson Waldron, then became a partner at Westgarth Baldick in the mid-1980s, before joining Sparke Helmore, where he remained until retirement from practice in 2012, including a period as Chairman of Partners. Along the way, he developed a fine reputation for litigation cases, a team man working with barristers, juniors and clients. Geoff’s collaborative team approach was also clear through descriptions of his support for junior solicitors and staff in the office, as well as his collusive approach to the role of Chairman in navigating the issues big and small for the firm in modern society.
In cricket, Sydney Grammar had a formidable bowling attack of Geoff Pike, Rick Allsop, Alan Manzie and Ross/”Gus” Kelly, three of whom went on to play at SUCC. Geoff also played cricket for Manly DCC from age 14 until he went to uni. In 1966 and 1967, he played in the Combined Green Shield team against the Country Coaching Class. I was in the country team in 1966, so we first met on the SCG, as opponents, and my only wicket was the no 5 batsman… G Pike for 3. Incidentally other bowlers in the city side were Thompson, Rhodes, Palmer and O’Keefe, yet country won 238 to 221. Thanks to Cricket NSW for locating the scoresheet. (Bizarrely for many hours during the game, a top pop band rehearsed at full volume next door at the Showground, just behind the old scoreboard and the Hill; exactly a year earlier it would have been the Rolling Stones).
Geoff joined SUCC in 1969, playing 15 seasons, in which he captured 430 wickets, putting him in the top 10 of all time. 242 of these were in first grade spanning 1971-1980, at an average of 20.8. This included in 1972 a remarkable 8-42 against Northern Districts, with victims including 4 NSW batsmen: Ian Davis (who opened for Australia the following year), Barry Rothwell, Kerry Mackay, Lyn Marks. Complementing me bowling right arm opening at the other end for five seasons, Geoff was medium pace left arm, always operating over the wicket, but had unusual ability to swing both ways. His normal trajectory was inswing to a right-hand bat, so many wickets were bowled or lbw, but the ball he pushed across or outswung got him many edges to the keeper or 1st slip (where I was a grateful recipient and admirer). It was before the term “reverse swing” was used or known, but perhaps some of these were that. Suffice it to say that Geoff’s batting performances are not easily found among the club’s records. Later in his career he continued in lower grades, including as a member of the 2nd grade premiership winning team in 1979/80. He was awarded a Blue in 1972.
Geoff also took an active role in the club’s administration on the committee, including a stint as Hon Treasurer. In 1975, he was appointed a Vice President and remained an active supporter thereafter. He was one of 7 Patrons of the SUCC Foundation, and was appointed a Life Member in 2014. A true team player, always friendly, always ready to help and encourage others.
An especially notable recent achievement was as Chair of the Sesquicentennial Committee, which coordinated the organisation of the brilliant event at the SCG. It was indeed fitting that his final innings was at the SCG.
PJ 15/3/23. For those wishing to read John Coorey’s eulogy to see more detail on Geoff’s life, contact Peter James at pjames@a1.com.au
This Sunday our First Grade side are taking on Northern Districts in the big dance!
Clear your schedule and get down to Cricket Central Oval as they play for the Limited Overs Cup title!
Opponent: Northern Districts
Venue: Cricket Central Oval, Silverwater
Date: Sunday 26 February
First Ball: 10:00am
The match will also be livestreamed via Frogbox through the following link:
I had the privilege of knowing Geoff very well, initially professionally and then through the Wombats (dropping three catches in an over off Geoff or Hungerford, as we also called him) and then through a preposterous early morning exercise group for a number of years.
He was great company, always thoughtful and modest, and had a very strong legal career. He was also so stoic and courageous during the last few years.
He was the driving organising force behind the Cricket Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations a few years ago, both at McLaurin Hall and later in the year at the SCG.
May he rest in peace.
ASB
The Honourable A. S. Bell
Chief Justice of New South Wales
This is desperately sad news that we have lost Geoff.
I was fortunate enough to travel on two social cricket tours to England with him with in the Wentworth Wombats team in the 2000’s and whilst he was the best cricketer in the group by far, he was always modest and so happy to be a team member of a motley crew of cricketers, described by some as the worst cricket team to ever leave Australian shores!! I recall in 2005, his luggage went missing and stayed missing for a few days after our arrival and in our first match against Oxford (whilst still without any luggage ) he pulled a calf or hamstring muscle running between he wickets when we batted first, which prevented him from bowling and participating in much of the tour. He never however complained, was a great tourist and his support for the team was unwavering. As another member of the team shared his surname, namely Ian Pike, Geoff was referred to as Pike Major and Ian as Pike I shall never forget his kindness to me at this time.
He was a wonderful cricketer and I believe his name deserves to be alongside all of those Sydney University cricketing greats! More significantly though, he was an even more wonderful man and he will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of playing cricket with him and those whose lives he touched.
Warm regards to you all
Thos Hodgson
Barrister
Edmund Barton Chambers
Geoffrey Hungerford Pike, SUCC 1st Grade no492, died yesterday.
Geoff was the chief organiser and the driving force behind the Club’s 150th anniversary in 2014.
A more comprehensive obituary will follow.
James Rodgers
“ SUCC friends
I had a message from Sue confirming that Geoff died in ICU. He had developed an infection after the surgery last Thursday and his heart gave out.
In my reply with condolence, I undertook to let you know funeral arrangements when available. [final arrangements not available yet].
Clearly his final year since Crommo’s funeral was hellish for him, Sue and family, but what a great life he had until then, with so many wonderful happy times and memories.
No doubt there are many other pals I have not included on this email so kindly spread the word.
Vale Geoff Pike
11am Thursday 2nd March, 2023. The Long Bar, Members Stand, Sydney Cricket Ground, Gate A, Driver Ave, Moore Park. The Pike family would love to see you there to celebrate Geoff’s life”.
Peter James
Just to the right of the grandstand at no1 Oval as you look at the ground is a once handsome drinking fountain now shamefully fallen in to disrepair.
It was put up and unveiled in June 1902 by the Chancellor of the University, HN MacLaurin.
It commemorates one of the University’s most dominant sportsman of the 19th century.
The colleagues and friends of Dr Leopold Edward Flood Neill BA, MB, ChM (1866-1901) wished his memory to be preserved.
The current state of the fountain would seem to suggest that Dr Neill’s memory will now unfortunately quickly fade.
Neill, educated at Sydney Grammar, played Rugby for University during some of its glittering seasons, 1884-1890, including the three seasons,1887,1888,1889, when the 1st XV was undefeated. He also represented NSW.
He was also a Sydney University cricketer although the records of the time are scattered.
He played at least during 1886-87 when he was also a member of the General Committee and the selection committee.
In 1886-87, he played mainly 2nd Grade but he also played at least two 1st Grade games (9 not out v Parramatta, 3-48 v Belvedere). In 2nds he was dominant in low-scoring games with 126 runs @21. His 43 against Carlton was easily the highest score in University’s 82. He played in 2nds’ extraordinary game against Manly at Manly in March 1887 when Neill’s 39 was once again highest score in University’s 144. Manly then collapsed for the lowest score ever made against University in any grade in any season. All out 11. Boyce 6 for 5. Neill 3 for 6.
So, when you’re at the oval, just pause at Neill’s drinking fountain and remember one of our great doctors and sportsmen.
And petition the University authorities to preserve this 121 year old monument!
James Rodgers
Died 22 January 2023 aged 79.
SUCC 1963-1968
1st Grade cap no.449
Cricket Blue 1966.
1069 runs in 1st Grade.
Son of John Wentworth SHAND. 1st Grade cap no.144
A more comprehensive obituary will appear soon.
