“… the Preston players went in first and during their first innings repeated and not uncalled for complaints were made about the decisions of the Preston umpire as being in favour of the club he represented …” … the Phillipstown players had the good sense to go when they were given out and many and bitter were the remarks indulged in off the field as to the decisions … Preston again took the bat … one of them at the bowler’s wicket having attempted to make a bye, the ball was thrown to the bowler by the long-stop (Clement) and the player run out.
“He disputed the decision of the umpire, claiming to have been home and when he went into the tent, sent the nominal captain, a mere schoolboy, down to demand another umpire. This being the only decision of the Phillipstown umpire that even the Preston players had had the impudence to cavil at, while the eccentricities of the other umpire had been as glaring as they were unjust, the Phillipstown players regarded this request as adding insult to injury, and refusing to comply, left the ground”. (The Brunswick and Pentridge Press, February 11, 1860)
Background
For the few scraps that remain of the earliest Preston Cricket Club, we extend our thanks to Miss E. Dods of East Brunswick. Or perhaps more correctly, to the trustees of her estate.
Miss Dods passed away in 1941 and discovered amongst her possessions were copies of the first three years editions of The Brunswick and Pentridge Press, from October 1, 1858 to September 28, 1861.
The trustees had the foresight to pass on what may have seemed a worthless pile of newspapers to the Historical Archives for the Citizens of Brunswick from whence they found their way to the State Library of Victoria where copies remain on microfilm.
Phillipstown was one of the very early names used for part of the area that became Brunswick.
The area roughly defined by the northern boundary of Royal Park, by Grantham and Victoria Streets and Sydney Road. Other early names around the district included Wrigglesworth (off Hope Street) and Sweet-hope, north of Albion Street. One of the district’s first settlers, T. W. Wilkinson and a partner acquired a property in Phillipstown and named it Brunswick Park after the ascension to the English throne of Queen Victoria, a member of the House of Brunswick, the district later adopting that name.
The teams appear to have played three times, the first game being at Preston on January 14, 1860. The following week, the Press “regretted full scores were not available”, but revealed that Phillipstown won by four wickets, Tthe day will be remembered as a most boisterous one and rendered the game anything but pleasant to those engaged … the match was of two innings each and was spiritedly played out”.
No details were given of the second match, but on February 4 the Press advised readers that “the third or off-match will be played on Monday”. With formal fixtures still many years away, the challenges of the day usually involved two matches on the alternate grounds, the “off-match” probably meaning Preston won the return game and the clubs agreed to play a decider.
The date of the second match isn’t known, but the first encounter was played on a Saturday, which indicates that the two teams must have had quite a few members to select from, or perhaps in Preston’s case, drew on the farming community for players. Saturday for most trades and professions even by 1860 was still a full working day; sporting activities of any sort on Sunday were deeply frowned upon and as a result, most matches between smaller clubs were scheduled on Monday public holidays.
Cricket clubs bearing the Preston name came and went several times before today’s club was formed (as Preston District), prior to the 1901-02 season.
Image: Preston Municipal Cricket Club, Darge, Algernon, 1881-1941, photographer. [ca. 1928-ca. 1929] via State Library Victoria
