The Pinjarra Cricket Club has a long and proud history. The club formed way back in 1874, playing sides from Fremantle and Perth in what was then called social cricket. From those pioneering days travelling by horse and cart, and playing on coir wickets, the club now boasts 3 sides with an excellent turf wicket, modern training facilities and a fully equipped bar and club rooms.
Following here is a brief summary of the long history of our proud club.
In the very early days, the distances to other teams and the long travel times by horse and cart, meant only a few games were played each year. Often members of the whole town would travel to the city to stay with the opposition. The game would typically be followed by a town dance held at one of the local halls. The matches themselves and the after match festivities must have been notable occasions for the whole community.
Some of the prominent figures of the club in these early years were the Fawcetts, Patersons and McLartys. Theodore Fawcett was one of our first recorded captains of the club, while Charles Fawcett in 1895 took 15 wickets in a match (this is a record that still stands today). Another well-known figure in the 1800’s was Alfred Thomas who took a lot of wickets with his underarm bowling!
The early 1900’s saw players like the Paterson family (Donald, Roy and Frank). Tom Strain a local fisherman, Albert Cantwell (Cantwell Park), Bob Ecclestone along with the McLarty brothers Douglas and Ross (who later would become the Premier of Western Australia) were all great cricketers and were heavily involved with the club.
Cricket in the 1920’s became a little more competitive with associations being formed. The first association was the Murray Association, with most of the games being played against Coolup, Yarloop, Mandurah, Waroona and Jarrahdale. Although there were still a lot of social games being held, clubs within the Murray Association played two innings cricket on a surface known as coir matting.
Pinjarra claimed its first Premiership in 1926. In those days who ever finished on top of the ladder won the Premiership. Some outstanding cricketers of this era were William Cornish (54 innings 2040 runs @ 48), Douglas McLarty, Albert Cantwell, Stan Healey, Bob Ecclestone and Alex Jones.
The 1930’s was a very successful period. Three premierships, with back to back titles in 1933-34 & 34-35 under the captaincy of Harry Grigg, and the 1938-39 premiership under captain Reg Spears the local Fairbridge teacher. This era saw grand finals introduced, and there were some brilliant cricketers: Harry Grigg (9 centuries, 74 innings 3158 runs @ 51) & Burt Harrold (344 wickets @ 8) who were both state cricketers. Bill Hennessy the elegant opening batsman all rounder and the emergence of Tony Dixon.
The 1940’s saw limited cricket due to the world war. After the war Pinjarra upgraded the pitch from coir matting to Malfoid. Both surfaces were not ideal to bat on due to the unevenness of the surface. In amazing circumstances in 1947-48 the club was involved in a tied grand final against Yarloop. After two innings each over two days the teams were both tied on 286 runs a piece. The two captains decided that because there was no more time to play that the only fair thing to do was to toss a coin to see who would win! Unfortunately Pinjarra called incorrectly. Some consolation was achieved the following year 1948-49 taking the premiership under Tony Dixons leadership beating Waroona.
Some great players and club people of this period were Tony Dixon (captain and secretary for most of the decade), Arthur Brown, William Paterson (son of Roy, stylish batsman and outstanding keeper) and Jack Perry (Club all time leading wicket taker – 707 wickets).
The 1950’s saw a change in direction when in 1956 the league became the Harvey Murray Association. This was made up of teams from Harvey, Uduc, Waroona, Coolup, Yarloop and for the first time a second team from Pinjarra called Railways. Railways Cricket Club was introduced because Pinjarra had such a strong team and with no second grade not everyone could get a game. Interestingly enough, after only two seasons in the competition, Railways played off against Pinjarra for the premiership and won!
Throughout the 1950’s Pinjarra had very strong sides. The club contested 6 grand finals, although they only managed to win one, under the captaincy of Jack Perry in 1957-58.
In 1958 the club decided to change location, moving to the trotting track. The club had until this point been located on an oval located where the current Murray Shire offices are located. From what we can gather this oval was the first and only oval used before the trotting track. The trotting track went around what is now both the football & cricket ovals at Sir Ross McLarty Complex. The new ground was located inside the track, complete with a new turf wicket. This was one of the first turf wickets in regional WA. Some of the better cricketers from this era were Jack Perry, Jack Baker (153 wickets @ of 6), Murray Macdonald, William Paterson, Ben Johnson, Tony Dixon and the emergence of a young Cliff Perry.
The early 1960’s were very good for the club with back to back premierships in 1962-63 vs Uduc (Captain Cliff Perry) & 1963-64 vs Waroona (Captain Jack Perry). Sid Broomfield and Jack Perry in particular were very good club people taking on various roles in the club. Life memberships were introduced in the 60’s with Jack Perry being our first life member, followed by Sid Broomfield. Great players for the club during this time were Murray MacDonald (2684 runs @ 30, and 193 wickets @ 11), Cliff Perry (3389 runs @ 28, and 218 wickets @ 9.8), and Kevin Hennessy (514 wickets @ 10.4).
Only one premiership was won in the 1970’s, in 1977-78 v Rushton Park, captained by Kevin (Shorty) Hennessy. The first season of regular second grade cricket was played in the 1978-79 season with Grant Abbott the first captain. This was a big step for the club and trying to produce two teams consistently had its challenges. Great players to come out of this era were Kevin Hennessy, Keith Saunders (324 wickets @ 8.6), Robert Symington and the appearance of the up and coming Tony Rocchi.
The early 1980’s weren’t too kind to the club, they lost to Mandurah in consecutive years 1980-81 & 1981-82 and then lost to Coastals in 1982-83. Three successive years of being bridesmaids had its toll on the club who for the next few years were cellar dwellers. In 1988 things changed and the club moved away from the Mandurah based competition and formed the Harvey Murray Association. Teams included Waroona, Harvey, Benger (formally Uduc), North Dandalup, Dwellingup, Serpentine and Yarloop.
Pinjarra had instant success winning back to back premierships in 1988-89 & 1989-90. (Both under Captain Neil Opie and both against Benger). Great players to come out of this time were Tony Rocchi, Robert Symington, Brian Woodward, Shane Malycha, Neil Opie and the up and coming MacDonald Brothers Glenn & John. Three life memberships were given in the 80’s first being Kevin Hennessy, Keith Saunders and Robert Symington.
The 1990’s started quite well with the club premiers in 1991-92 beating Benger once again but losing the year before to Waroona. But the 1992-93 season took a huge twist with the Pinjarra team placing one team in the Harvey Murray competition and one in the Peel Assoc which included teams from Mandurah, Rockingham, Shoalwater, Warnbro, Halls Head & Singleton.
For the first two seasons it was two day cricket, Pinjarra unfortunately struggled. After 2 seasons the cricket changed to 50 over limited over cricket. Four life memberships were given during the 90’s first to John Tuckey, Hayden Green, Frank Treen and Graham Eddy. Great players to come out of this period were Glenn & John MacDonald, Neil Opie and Wayne Reid.
The 2000’s started poorly with off field dramas affecting the club. The team’s performances were dismal but with the inclusions of some local footballers and a fresh attitude the club has become very strong. After being knocked out of the semi finals in 2002-03 the club went one better winning the premiership in 2003-04 under captain Peter Miller (former Fremantle Docker) against the Halls Head cricket club. Since then the club has been very competitive playing in the 07, 08 and 09 final series. Terry McNeill, William Paterson and Mark Hennessy have made life members of the club and great players have been Ronald Coles, Peter Miller, Mark Hennessy and Chris Zadow.
This brings us to the present day. In 2008-09 the club broke new ground by introducing a third side into the competition. And now in the winter of 2009, breaks new ground again with a side all set to tour India!
The squad arrived safely as planned at 10pm Monday night and were wide eyed as we exited Chennai airport and made it to our hotel about midnight. A few beers were had at the hotel bar with fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee who gave us lots of wise advice. The hot weather has continued today and this meant that our training session was a real test of what is ahead of us. We are extremely lucky that we could train 
at the MRF pace academy facilities. This is inside the grounds of Madras Christian College and the kids made us feel very welcome. We have been well looked after.
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