Cricket Club
This plaque is located at 45 Parrott St. (Back of Recreation Reserve scoreboard)
Up until season 2022-23, Cobden Cricket Club had won 20 top-grade premierships, 11 division 2 and 3 flags, 16 under 16 pennants.
Alas, no division 1 premierships between 2001 and 2023. Then, much hard work was finally rewarded in season 2023-24 when the Knights broke through for the club’s 21st division 1 flag.
Not only that, the club also won South West Cricket under 16 and under 13 flags and, with Mortlake CC, it won Warrnambool DCA under 17 and under 15 pennants, plus the under 17 T20 final.
It may signify the start of another golden era. Between 1979 and 2001 alone, Cobden Cricket Club won 13 of its 20 top grade premierships.
Colin Gaut, Graham Hunter, Neal Simmonds and Wayne Walsh were four of the best bats to play cricket locally since 1960. Rob Connoley was the best spinner, Michael Hinkley, Graeme Fagan and Robert Orr were among the best quicks and Phil Roche and Alan Pell (who could also bat very well) were among the best keepers in our area since 1978.
Historian Alan ‘Sarge’ Hart was the ‘lowest’ bowler to play cricket locally. He often lost skin off his knuckles when his hand scraped the bails. His arm got lower and lower until he was actually bowling under-arm. Jim ‘Pockets’ Dalziel talked on (and off) the ground more than any known cricketer. Rob Connoley and Michael Hinkley were the most mild-mannered bowlers ever to play for Cobden.
Ken “Dutchy” Holland, Greg “Herbie” Merrett and Adrian “Slash” Kelly all had a simple batting philosophy – block the first ball, hit the next one for six, block one, hit the next one for four, block one, hit the next one for six.
The turf wicket, established in 1992, has been looked after mainly by volunteers including David Hester, Evan Savage, Keith and Neal Simmonds, Peter and Leigh Walsh. The wicket, plus ground lights set up in the mid-1990s, has enabled day/night cricket to be played including a visit from Mel Jones and her Southern Stars in 1998.
While winning flags in local associations, Cobden also won two in stronger Colac A grade ranks in 1993-94 and 1994-95.
The club is supported by its community. For years, Thommos’ Hotel has been a popular venue for the Friday night ‘competition’. Albert ‘Scratchy’ Mounsey oversaw this with help from others including Graeme Fagan, Geoff Fagan, Kelvin White and Cameron Beaton.
Long-term presidents have been Sid Smith (10 years), Colin Gaut, Bill Brown, Cameron Beaton (all 9 years), C Hoare (7 years), F Hoare (6 years) and Michael Hinkley (5 years). Secretaries and/or treasurers who have given long service include David Hallyburton (17 years plus four years as president), Sid Smith, Kelvin White (both 8 years), G Allison (7 years), Geoff Fagan (6 years), Ewart Mounsey (5 years) and Wayne Gibson (5 years unfinished).
Cobden played Camperdown in 1879. Terang, Cobrico, Timboon, Port Campbell, South Purrumbete and Naroghid produced sides during the 1880s and Cobden formed an actual club in 1883.
Cricket was originally played on the current golf course before moving to the recreation reserve. The first organised competition, the Doughney trophy, was contested in 1892 by Mortlake, Camperdown, Timboon, Terang and Cobden. It was reported at the 1900 AGM that Cobden had not been beaten for three years. Two teams represented the club at that time – for five years.
After the 1914-18 war, the club joined the Mt Noorat CA but Cobden cricket was in ‘fits and starts’ until 1929 when it defeated Pomborneit to win the Corangamite association premiership, with other flags following in 1931-32, 1932-33 and 1933-34.
Cobden defeated Camperdown to claim the 1936-37 Corangamite flag. Outstanding players of this era included Ron Harris, Les Simpkin and Dave Longmore. With no formal matches during WW2, Cobden re-formed in 1946 with Leo Thompson presiding. Two Cobden teams were entered in the re-jigged Corangamite association and won premierships in 1946-47 and 1947-48.
Cobden did not win another A grade premiership until 1979-80 in the Hampden association (est 1951) and the premiership tap started to flow!
In 2024, the Cobden Knights are in top gear – senior and junior teams (male and female), development programs, two-way community links, talk of an indoor centre . . . and, importantly, strong and inclusive leadership.
