The opening day of the final round of the 2021/22 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield season this Saturday carries extra significance when the West Gambier Cricket Club tips its cap to the heroes of the past.
As the modern-day Roos hunt for the minor premiership in club’s 80th anniversary against East Gambier on home turf, some of the greats will be in attendance celebrating success of the past.
Names such as Barry Hudson, Barry Ward, John Shepherdson, David Lock, Peter Berkefeld, Warren Davis, Peter Bruhn, Ken Collins and Richard McDonough lifted the Barber Shield 50 years ago and the team will reconvene at Malseed Park half a century on.
A decade later Hudson also led West to another title with Steve Freeman, Mike Walmsley, Darren Earl, Richard Mcdonough, Greg Pascoe, Cameron Craig, Ward, Ian Jackman, Berkefeld, Peter Pick and 12th man Peter Taylor.
The third team being honoured is the Roos of 1957, who also tasted the ultimate success 65 years ago.
Col O’Niell captained the likes of Harry Dennes, Roy Millowick, Wally Hudson, Jim White David Perryman and a very young John “Seedy” Yeates.
The main event of the reunion will be a happy hour and dinner at Malseed Park on Friday night.
The celebrations and stories will continue the following day during the West v East battle with refreshments being available from 3.30pm at the tea break.
Players of all grades are invited to attend, with those interested asked to register their intentions by emailing westgambiercc@gmail.com, inbox West Gambier Cricket Club’s Facebook page or ring or text 0417 372 707 to allow the club to gauge numbers.
