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Contributed by Joe Sewell, courtesy Dougies Mate 2000-01
After the war commitments were completed, servicemen returned home.
Some of them regarded themselves as pretty fair cricketers and started
spreading these rumours. It didn't take long for the word to spread and so it
came to be. Hillgrove Cricket was formed.
Hillgrove fielded a team in the Armidale Cricket competition in 1947/48. and
proceeded to enforce these rumours by winning the competition. Successful years
followed during the 50's and in 1960 Hillgrove formed their second team. They
continued this format until 1975/76 when Hillgrove nominated it's first
"A" grade side.
During the Club's life, Tom Dye, Kay Morgan and Herb Edgar held the executive
positions. Herb Edgar held the position of Secretary/Treasurer for 19 years. Tom
Dye spent 17 years as President and Kay Morgan was Secretary/Treasurer for 10
years.
They played the game as it was meant to be played, with sportsmanship, spirit
and the will to win with respect for their fellow cricketers.
It is with great gratitude we, as Hillgrove today, owe the much-deserved
respect to these early pioneers for guiding this mighty club to where it is
today.
In 1980/81 the first Life Memberships were presented to the long serving and deserving
members of Hillgrove Cricket Club.
They were: Tom Dye (deceased(, Herb Edgar, Kay Morgan, Howard Munday, Keith
Martin.
WELL DONE BOYS!!!
Contributed by Joe Sewell, courtesy Dougies Mate 2001-02
Hillgrove had their first game of cricket against Wollomombi
in 1946; played at Wollomombi and organised by Andy Boundy. Hillgrove opened
with Jack and Keith Sewell. They scored 50 and 40 respectively. Great opening
stand even back then.
In the 50's Hillgrove was playing in the Armidale competition.
All the team lived in Hillgrove. Keith Martin owned the general store in
Hillgrove and owned a 3 ton truck with sides. This was their chief source of
transport, even to games at Manilla and Bellbrook. After a game in Armidale,
these high spirited cricketers would pile into the truck, long necks were passed
around, a tap on the roof and the bottles were passed into the front.
The one unfailing aspect of the Hillgrove C.C. is the friendly
family spirit. After watching the 3rd Grade grand final, it was great to see the
families gathered around and the interaction between the very young and the not
so young. And as for the Association's presentation evening at the Sportsground,
once again it was the Hillgrove C.C. that stood out with its players and
supporters (and photographer).
Keep up the good work Grove!
Joe Sewell
Life Member
Hillgrove
Congratulations Jack on your life membership of the Hillgrove Colts
Cricket Club.
Jack's early days of cricket (1946) saw him involved in playing
practice matches against Wollomombi and Jeogla where he opened the
batting with brother, Keith. These matches were played before the club
started playing competition cricket.
Jack started playing in these competition games in the mid fifties
and played for twenty years alongside K Morgan, Herb Edgar, Keith
Martin, Norm Waters, a fair few Sewells and the Frost boys, to name a
few.
Jack was involved in team selections which was done by telephone with
Herb Edgar and K Morgan on a three way party line hook-up. K's mother
ran the telephone exchange and was able to plug the three in. If a call
came through for one of them, they would be disconnected until finished
and then Mrs Morgan would reconnect them to continue the selections.
Jack was president of the Club in the ate sixties. He worked with
other club members on working bees and social activities, mainly dances
as money raisers for the club. Jack boiled many a billy, usually a 5
gallon honey tin, over the fire for the famous HCG afternoon tea.
Jack has kept a keen interest in Hillgrove cricket right up to the
resent day, following the progress of his grandsons.
Well done Jack!
Courtesy of Joe Sewell (Dougies Mate 2004)
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