The Beginnings (Pre-1890)

The Beginnings (Pre-1890) First recorded reference to Andersons Creek CC (Warrandyte CC) Doncaster CC formed Doncaster Heights CC formed Mitcham CC plays its first recorded match Canterbury CC formed First recorded reference to Templestowe CC First Test Match between Australia and England in Melbourne Ferntree Gully CC formed East Doncaster CC formed Blackburn CC plays its first recorded match 1855 1864 1874/75 1876/77 1881/82 1882/83 1883/84 1886/87 1887/88 1888/89 First record of Camberwell CC and Balwyn CC Nunawading (Original name for Box Hill) CC plays its first recorded match Guildford (Surrey Hills) CC plays its first recorded match

Reporter District Cricket Association formed FIRST OFFICER BEARERS William Meader (President) and John Toon (Secretary) - Elected as the first Office Bearers ROUND 2 M. Cronin (Mitcham) in Rnd 2. carries his bat for the first time - 70* ROUND 9 D. Hadlam (Canterbury CC) in Rnd 9. takes for the first time all 10 Wickets in an Innings - 10/45 1890/91 ROUND 1 G. Bullen (Doncaster) in Rnd 1. vs Blackburn takes the first 7 Wicket/ Innings haul S. Sneesby (Blackburn) in Rnd 1. takes the first recorded 10 Wicket/ Match haul ROUND 5 D. Wilson (Surrey Hills) in Rnd 5. takes the first Hat Trick 1ST CENTURY W. Hurrey (Burwood) scores 134no - the first recorded Century in the Gilmour Trophy play-off between Reporter premiers Box Hill and challengers Burwood CC

1891/92 Mr.A.Gilmour (Burwood CC) becomes President of the competition and it is renamed the Gilmour Trophy 1892/93 Gilmour Trophy changed to Eastern District Trophy as requested by Mr.Gilmour (didn t want trophy in his name) 1893/94 Reporter competition goes into recess due to 1890's depression. Clubs continue to play each other on casual basis 1895/96 First recorded reference to Vermont CC First recorded reference to East Burwood CC 1898/99 Eastern District CA formed, with support from Reporter Newspaper. Phil Plaisted (Box Hill CC) was organiser and Secretary 1899/00 E.Watsford (Camberwell CC) makes the first double century with 201 against Doncaster CC 1901/02 Eastern District CA goes into one year recess due to lack of support from Reporter Newspaper, Box Hill CC and Mitcham CC

Reporter Newspaper reforms 1902/03 Reporter District Cricket Association

1903-1918 Old Mitcham CC and Box Hill CC share premiership Mitcham District CC and Old Mitcham CC merge to reform Mitcham CC Mitcham CC make 4-592 against East Burwood CC in R3, Dudley Boyle scores 216 - the highest individual score Mitcham CC withdraw from the competition after a dispute with the Reporter District Football Association after an appeal to alter the Grand Final loss to Ferntree Gully CC was dismissed Wally Boyle (Vermont CC - B Grade) first to pass 1000 runs in a season. Boyle makes 1005 runs and takes 59 wickets E.F.G.Hodges (Reporter Newspaper owner) elected Reporter President B Grade formed, Templestowe CC win first B Grade premiership Paddy Gilchrist (Ringwood - A Grade) makes 683 runs and takes 137 wickets Only six teams playing due to WWI 1903/04 1904/05 1905/06 1906/07 1909/10 1910/11 1913/14 1914/15 1915/16 1916/17 H.Hughes (Doncaster Heights CC) makes 636 runs @ 106.00 and takes 55 wickets to lead Doncaster Heights CC to their only A Grade premiership 18 clubs re split into 4 geographical divisions with the top side from each division playing off for the A Grade flag Paddy Gilchrist (Ringwood - A Grade) makes 684 runs and takes 135 wickets

1920-1922 Ringwood CC storm home to win A Grade premiership (no finals played) and win three flags in three seasons (excl. WWI seasons). Ringwood CC leave Reporter Association to p l a y i n n e w l y f o r m e d C r o y d o n C C Association - changed to Ringwood District Cricket Association in 1921-22 1919/20 S.B.Gravenell (Box Hill) makes 238 against Surrey Hills CC in R12 Paddy Gilchrist takes 10-26 for Ringwood CC against Doncaster CC E.F.G.Hodges resigns as BHRDCA President at end of season Mitcham CC return to the competition after a six year recess 1920/21 All Premierships thereon decided on final series Doncaster CC are all out for 5 against Blackburn CC in R3, but go onto win A Grade premiership over 29 MARCH 1922 BHRDCA plays the Melbourne CC in a representative match at the MCG. Australian captain, Warwick Armstrong makes 107(ret) and takes 5-65. MCC win by 327 runs

1922-1933 Box Hill ANA are dismissed for 10 and 12 against Auburn CC in only their second match Box Hill CC win both A & B Grade premierships Canterbury CC legend Tom Mackie dies. Commenced playing in 1886 Canterbury CC win both A & B Grade premierships Harry Swan returns from Wyclif Congregationals CC and takes 105 wickets for Canterbury CC Harry Swan takes match figures of 16-162 for Canterbury in A Grade Grand Final win over Box Hill CC 1922/23 1925/26 1927/28! Paddy Gilchrist plays his last Reporter Association match for Doncaster CC, after a career with Blackburn CC, Mitcham CC, Ringwood CC and Ferntree Gully CC C Grade formed. St.Peter's CC wins first C Grade premiership 1928/29 1931/32 1932/33 Blackburn KSP CC (C Grade) make lowest recorded score of 3 against Templestowe CC in R3 Blackburn CC win their first A Grade premiership over Mitcham CC - breaking the dominance which commenced with Canterbury CC, Box Hill CC and Surrey Hills CC which started in 1921-22 and broken only by Templestowe CC in 1928-29

Reporter DCA formally 1933/34 changed name to Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association

A NEW ERA 1933/34 Box Hill CC and Box Hill ANA CC merge 43 teams play in BHRDCA 1935/36 BHRDCA award four premierships by splitting C Grade into Section I and II Balwyn CC and Surrey Hills CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA 1937/38 Canterbury CC defeat Mitcham CC to win their 12th and final BHRDCA A Grade premiership Box Hill CC is re-incorporated as a new entity, taking the best players from Box Hill CC, St.Andrews CC and Box Hill Methodists CC. The new club joins the VTCA. The 1936-37 A Grade Runners-Up, St. Andrews CC fold, due to the new Box Hill club taking their best players Mont Albert CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA Joe Cain makes 1072 runs for Box Hill Hibernians CC in C Grade 1934/35 1936/37 1938/39 BHRDCA play the Melbourne CC in a representative match (Feb 1935) at the MCG. Victorian and Australian legend, Bill Ponsford makes 56. MCC win by 77 runs Harry Swan elected BHRDCA President East Doncaster CC win their only A Grade flag, despite their players fighting a major blaze in a coolstore the night before the game Bernie Keenan elected BHRDCA Secretary Harold and Dudley Britt from East Doncaster CC are reported and subsequently suspended indefinitely. East Doncaster CC, who are on top of the A Grade after five rounds immediately withdraw their A Grade side from the competition (but refused to formally advise the BHRDCA of this) Canterbury CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA

1940-1946 1940/41 Box Hill Church of Christ CC win their third successive A Grade Premiership by making 9-430 against Mitcham CC 1943/44 Athol Reed (Box Hill Methodists CC) makes 1326 runs for the season 1944/45 East Burwood CC join BHRDCA return from Burwood District CA (after 22 years) and win A Grade flag, their fourth premiership in a row. President - Harry Swan dies in office prior to the start of 1944-45 season 1945/46 Cedric Crouch (1115 wickets) plays his final match after forty seasons with four different clubs (Doncaster CC, Doncaster Heights CC, Blackburn CC and East Doncaster CC)

1946/47 Ray McIntosh takes 123 wickets for St.Andrews Combine CC (C Grade)! 1948/49 Junior Cricket (under 16) commences Meadow CC join BHRDCA 1950/51 D Grade Commenced. Mitcham CC wins first D Grade premiership Mitcham CC win A, B and D Grade premierships Warrandyte CC (West) return to BHRDCA Len Williams (Mitcham) made 1008 runs (949 runs in D Grade). In his last six innings from round nine, Williams made 79no, 104no, 233, 72, 57 and 203 THE 40 S CONTINUE.. 1947/48 1949/50 1951/52 Tunstall CC change their name to Nunawading CC Joe Beale (Templestowe CC) plays his last match Bernie Keenan resigns as BHRDCA Secretary at end of season to commence term as Vice President Joe Cain (Box Hill Hibernians CC) plays his final season in BHRDCA. Joe Cain made a then Association record 20 centuries Doncaster Footballers CC formed and join BHRDCA Bernie Keenan elected BHRDCA President Mitcham CC lead East Burwood CC after the first innings of the A Grade Grand Final, but refused to play on - forfeiting the game to East Burwood CC Doncaster CC and Doncaster Heights CC merge

1953/54 1953/54 Ray McIntosh elected BHRDCA Secretary Bernie Keenan resigns as BHRDCA President at end of season 40 teams from 21 clubs in four grades 1956/57 Box Hill Adelphians CC join BHRDCA Warrandyte CC celebrate Centenary Nunawading win first A Grade premiership 1958/59 Ted Tainton plays his 50th and final year of cricket for East Burwood CC Current Points system (10pt Outright & 6pt 1st Innings win) adopted 31 teams from 15 clubs in four grades after several clubs folded or left (Doncaster CC and Box Hill Methodists CC) 1955/56 Doncaster Footballers CC win A Grade premiership, ending 11 years of dominance by Mitcham CC and East Burwood CC. Keith Read made 126 and took 6-46 against Vermont CC in Semi and 124 and 5-29 against Blackburn CC in Grand Final Doncaster CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA, ending a 65 year association Forest Hill CC formed and join BHRDCA 1957/58 Box Hill Methodists CC leave BHRDCA and join Churches competition Les Stoneham (Templestowe) takes 10-13 against East Doncaster CC in D Grade 1959/60 Blackburn CC win first A Grade flag since 1932-33

The Sixties The period without VJCU/CUOV affiliation was also the BHRDCA's period of fastest growth driven in no small degree by the recent (1957/58) introduction of a Junior Competition. At the time of the split BHRDCA had 40 open and 18 under-age teams, by the reunification it had grown to 120 and 96 respectively 1961/62 Bulleen CC win B Grade in 1960-61 and are unbeaten in A Grade until Semi Finals - to win 22 matches in succession Blackburn CC win A, C and D Grade premierships BHRDCA dis-affiliates from the then VJCU (now VMCU) after a dispute over umpires' remunerations 1962/63 Tom Gibbons (East Burwood CC) takes match figures of 17-106 against Doncaster Footballers CC in D Grade 1963/64 Parkview CC and St.David's CC formed and join BHRDCA Meadow CC Surrey Park and changed their name to Blackburn North Cricket Club Bob Saker makes 191 for Nunawading CC in A Grade Grand Final against Doncaster Footballers CC Keith Read (Doncaster Footballers CC) averages 137.60 (688 runs) in A Grade

The 60 s continue Under 14's commences Donvale CC joins BHRDCA 50 teams from 19 clubs in five grades. BHRDCA grew by 19 teams in only six years B Grade split into B1 and B2 Grades Burwood District Cricket Association folds, 8 new clubs join BHRDCA St. Peter s CC merge with Box Hill North Primary School to form Box Hill North CC Parkview CC change name to Heatherdale CC. Yarraleen CC joins BHRDCA Tom Cullen makes 341 in the Under 16 Grand Final for Blackburn CC E-Bees CC form and join BHRDCA 1964/65 1965/66 1966/67 1967/68 1968/69 1969/70 John Wilkins suspended for 5 years. At BHRDCA meeting, proposal to expel Bulleen CC was rejected, resulting in Tom Reeves and Ray McIntosh temporarily resigning Brockhoff's join BHRDCA, win D Grade and fold after one season 1954/55 to 1971/72 Nunawading CC were the powerhouse of the competition for a quarter of a century. During this span Nunawading reached the A Grade top four in 18 consecutive seasons. Over a 30 year period to 1984/85 they captured 11 A Grade/Shield premierships and were runners up on another 6 occasions. In addition they secured 11 lower grade flags

The Seventies 1973/74 SHIELD GRADE ESTABLISHED Consisting of 12 clubs: Blackburn CC, Box Hill North CC, Bulleen CC, Doncaster Footballers CC, E-Bees CC, East Burwood CC, Forest Hill CC, Heatherdale CC, Mitcham CC, Nunawading CC, St. David s CC & Vermont CC 1970/71 Bulleen Templestowe Youth Club (BTYC) join BHRDCA Box Hill Adelphians CC change name to Laburnum CC 1971/72 Under 12's fielded Laburnum CC change to name to East Box Hill CC 1972/73 92 teams in eight grades & 72 teams in juniors with three Under 16's and Under 14's and two Under 12 grades 1974/75 Shield Grade reduced to 10 clubs with E-Bees CC & St.David s CC relegated Donvale CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA. Park Orchards CC first play in BHRDCA E-Bees CC, St.Mary's CC and Templestowe Footballers CC expelled from competition

The 70 s continue Bulleen CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA East Burwood Methodists CC (later East Burwood UnitingCC) compete in Shield for the first time Twilight competition started Shield Grade renamed to McIntosh Shield and expanded to 12 clubs with Blackburn North CC, Burwood Socials CC (later Burwood District CC) & St. Andrew s CC competing for the first time Vermont South CC form and join BHRDCA Helmets allowed 6 Ball Overs introduced Templestowe CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time Blackburn Church of Christ CC compete in Shield for their only season East Doncaster CC leave BHRDCA and join ESCA First licensed Club at Mahoney's Reserve (Nunawading Cricket & Soccer Clubs) 1975/76 1976/77 1977/78! Ray McIntosh resigns as BHRDCA Secretary at end of season Trevor Hutchins from Nunawading CC makes 238 not out in A Grade Grand Final against Blackburn CC, Nunawading reach 6-558 First synthetic pitch surface (Autex) installed 1978/79 1979/80 E-Bees CC re-admitted to BHRDCA Burwood Socials CC change their name to Burwood District CC BHRDCA re-affiliates with the then CUOV (now VMCU) after dis-affiliating in the 1960s

The Eighties Early 80 s 1980/81 HEATHERDALE CC In their last season to date out of McIntosh Shield, Heatherdale enjoyed a hugely successful season with their top four sides winning premierships (A1, A2, C1 and C2 grades). The Dales 5th XI finished runnersup to Eley Park in D1 while their 6th XI were beaten by just 6 runs in a semi-final in D2 grade. Rubber pitch surface through competition 1981/82 Len Toogood Medal introduced Koonung Heights CC join. E-Bees CC change their name to Eley Park CC Vermont CC leaves BHRDCA to play in Ringwood District Cricket Association 1982/83 Doncaster Church of Christ CC compete in McIntosh Shield for their only season Bulleen-Templestowe CC prove themselves the major force outside of McIntosh Shield by winning premierships in A1, A2 and A3 grades. The Bullants also reach the semi-finals in C2 grade 1983/84 Dean Jones (EBCC, FHCC) First BHRDCA produced player to play Test cricket for his country Bulleen-Templestowe CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time

The 80 s continue 1984/85 BENNETTSWOOD CC Bennettswood CC prove themselves the major force outside of McIntosh Shield by winning premierships in A1, A2 and A3 grades 1985/86 Bennettswood CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time 1986/87 Blackburn South High School change their name to Blackburn South CC Blackburn South CC & Vermont South CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time 1987/88 East Box Hill CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time 1988/89 Doncaster Footballers CC change their name to Doncaster CC Syndal CC join BHRDCA Kookaburra Sport's sponsorship established. $3,000 over 3 seasons from 1988/89 > $92,500 over 4 seasons from 2011/12)

The Nineties Andrew Mills made 349 for Nunawading Church of Christ CC out of a team score of 6-666 Synthetic pitch surface widespread Vermont CC returns to BHRDCA from Ringwood DCA Glen Waverley Hawks CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time Yarraleen CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time East Burwood CC and Bennettswood CC merge Wheelers Hill CC join Early 90 s 1993/94 1994/95 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 Koonung Heights compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time BHRDCA celebrates Centenary Dinner at Camberwell Civic Centre Designated One Day Grades introduced Veterans Competition (Over 40's) formed Wheelers Hill CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time Mazenod Old Collegians CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time Kooka/Under-10/Anklbytr pre-competition development cricket launched

The Noughties Vermont CC win their 4th McIntosh Shield premiership in a row creating a new record beating the 3 in a row won by Box Hill Church of Christ CC (from 1938/39) and East Burwood CC (from 1951/52) Junior Development Foundation / Fund established BHRDCA wins VMCU s Neil Wright Shield (U/21 Turf) One Day Grades introduced to Senior Competition Box Hill Church of Christ CC change their name to Elgar Park CC "BHRDCA Grants" and "Volunteer Training Support" Programmes formalised Junior (Fri) twilight competition(s) established Hybrid draws introduced Penalty Guidelines adopted 2001/02 2003/04 2004/05 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Park Orchards CC compete in McIntosh Shield for the first time Under 18 Competition introduced First Under 18 Grade, East Doncaster CC were premiers Over 50 s grade in Veterans cricket introduced BHRDCA cash balance surpassed 100k for the first time More than 300 teams (308) compete in BHRDCA competitions for the first time

2010/11 The Modern Era FOREST HILL CC Forest Hill batsmen Ben Johnston (147 not out) and Jared Taun-Henderson (124 not out) make an unbroken 249 partnership to spearhead Forest Hill to a 46 run win over Vermont Open T20 (twilight) competition established T20 format adopted for Open Inter-Association Challenge matches hosted by Templestowe CC 2013/14 McIntosh Shield Grand Final live streamed - a first for Victorian Metropolitan cricket Grand Final President Lunch commences The Association employs a P/T Administration Manager and a P/T Sponsorship, Marketing and Grants Manager Split Innings introduced into Senior & Junior Grades Nunawading Church of Christ CC change their name to Laburnum CC Elgar Park CC and Doncaster CC merge Box Hill North CC and the Melbourne Super Kings CC merge to form the Box Hill North Super Kings CC Penalty Guidelines updated & mandated BHRDCA wins the VMCU's Jim Beitzel Shield (U16 turf)!

The Present Moment 2014/15 Following Mitcham CC s relegation, Blackburn CC remain the only club to have competed in all 42 seasons of Shield Grade. Then follows Mitcham CC 41 seasons, Box Hill North/Super Kings CC 37, Heatherdale CC 36 & Nunawading CC 31 BHRDCA enters 8 teams in to the VMCU Junior Carnival. The inaugural Under 12 Girls team wins the Claudia Fatone Shield Social Media Manager appointed Rebel signs on as a ball sponsor across junior, senior and veteran competitions including T20 games The BHRDCA announces a new and exciting partnership with the Melbourne Stars, and are proud to be once again setting the pace in metropolitan cricket, as we have been, for the past 125 years The BHRDCA celebrates 125th Anniversary - the oldest hard wicket competition in Victoria