C&DCA 1968 -

Colac & District Cricket Association - History

click on season below to view highlights

1968/69 - 1985/86

The four ex Polwarth teams started off in C&DCA 'B' Grade competition. Deans Marsh played Forrest in the semi-final and lost. (season statistics)

Deans Marsh won its first premiership ('B' Grade) in the Colac & District Cricket Association in 1969/70 against A.P.I. (Australian Postal Institute) 221 (Les McKay 4/70, Geoff Millard 2/29 & K. Marriner 2/35) Deans Marsh 9/264 (Ron Millard 73, Les McKay 39, Geoff Millard 36, Neville Clissold 27). It was the Clubs first flag since 1954/55 and after 33 years of cricket at Deans Marsh, Ron Millard was finally a member of a premiership side. (Ron had played in the unsuccessful 'B' team at the 'Marsh' during the Clubs invinsible years of the 50's).

  (see details).

The Club was promoted to 'A' grade the following season but found the standard  a little to high and were relegated to 'B' Grade in 1971/72. The Club had joined forces with Forrest to form a Junior team in 1968/69. Andrew Stewart finishing fourth in the Association vote count. It was unfortunately the last year for Juniors at the 'Marsh' until 1991.

Between 1971/72 - 1975/76 the 'Marsh' lost in five consecutive semi-finals. In 1975/76 the Club entered a 'C' Grade side in the competition. Not since 1955/56 had the Club fielded two teams. Fresh faces to play for the Club included Phillip Steenholdt, Paul & Wayne Clissold, Laurie & Rodney Millard, Neville Armistead, Michael Fenn, Neil Berry, Greg Swayn, Wayne Berry, John Cornish & Kelvin Clissold.

Ron Millard & Les McKay both retired in 1978, Les had started playing for the 'Marsh' in the 1930's and continued his interest in the club becoming President in 1986/87. Ron who had played continuously since 1946 and a well know district historian completed 'The Deans Marsh Cricket Club - A History' in 1990. A excellent publication that traces the history of the club and which has become a very valuable reference for the pages of this site, the Club is deeply indebted to Ron Millard's book.
In 1980/81 and after 12 consecutive semi-final losses, Deans Marsh finally broke through by defeating Beeac, unfortunately losing to Alvie narrowly in the final. Deans Marsh 124 & 5/76 (Neville Clissold 31,Terry Mortimer 25, Noel Swayn 21) lost to Alvie 130 & 2/40 (Andrew Stewart 4/47, Geoff Millard 3/25)
The Club lost semi-finals in the next four seasons before relegation to 'C' Grade in 1986/87 

1986/1987 'C' Grade Premiers.

After a disappointing season the previous year, the 1986/87 'C' Grade team finished the home and away rounds on top of the ladder undefeated  including two outright wins. Drawn to play Forrest in the Semi Final and won comfortably by 48 runs and following that up with a convincing win in the Grand Final against Stonyford by 7 wickets.

Andrew Kirkland 'Horace' Stewart won the batting averages with 51.63. Andrew scored two centuries and two fifties during the season as well as taking 33 wickets at a average of 11.30. This consistency earned him the C&DCA 'C' Grade Cricketer of the Year. Neville Clissold batted solidly during the season averaging 44.55 with one century and three fifties. Ray Edwards won the bowling averages taking 45 wickets at 7.62, he was supported by Cowan 'The Bird' Spowart. Ron Hollmer and Peter Bell played their first seasons for the 'Marsh'. (season statistics)

The Deans Marsh Cricket Club had spent the previous season in recess due to the shortage of players. The Edwards brothers had headed back to Winchelsea and Neville Clissold had retired after a long and successful career spanning three decades. Les McKay retired from the Presidency which was taken on by Peter Bell. Tom Reid had moved into the district from Apollo Bay. Tom had captained the Apollo Bay 'A' Reserve team to back to back premierships over the previous two seasons and accepted the captaincy at 'The Marsh'. Other new recruits were Matty Clissold, Mike Robinson-Koss, Leigh Rodgers and Damian Campbell.

The team had a mixed year winning three of their ten games and only narrowly missed a place in the finals. Reid was the best of the batsman with 523 runs @ 43.60 and the bowling honors to Andrew Stewart with 33 wickets @ 12.60. Another new recruit Geoff 'Spook' Hateley burst onto the scene with some impressive fast bowling that yielded 23 wickets. Cowan Spowart again proved that he had not lost it over the season break and returned a 'Hat trick' versus Birregurra guaranteeing a outright result in round 6, his figures of 5.4/0/4/12 were his best. (season statistics)

1990/1991  'B' Grade Runner Up

Interest in cricket at Deans Marsh was waxing, match write ups (Cricket Capers) were appearing in the local publications and the team was boosted by notably inclusions, father and son Peter & John Dempsey and Peter 'Choofa' Campbell. Four wins from ten games in the home and away rounds was good enough to secure fourth position in the finals. It had been an inconsistent year  with the bat, all out for 53 v Stonyford in round 3 and two rounds later amassing a huge 280 to secure a win against premiership favorites South Colac.

South Colac were unbackable in the semi-final, a five wicket haul to Stewart and a excellent fielding performance along with a unbeaten century from the skipper produced a surprising five wicket win and a grand final appearance against Irrewarra. A healthy rivalry had been spawned between ourselves and Irrewarra with some hard fought games during the season. Unfortunately the batsman were unable to capitalize on some excellent bowling from 'Big Bird' Spowart 22/7/7/41 in the first innings and lost outright late on the third day.
Highlight of the season were the 'kids'. The club had a wonderful family atmosphere with more kids than players running around at home games on Saturday. Other first gamers were Rowan Reid, Peter Wardrop and Damon McKenzie. Spowart was almost unplayable for most of the season taking 39 wickets and Geoff Hateley continued to bowl well with three five wicket hauls. Tom Reid's 155 against South Colac was one of two centuries and five fifties. (season statistics)

1991/1992  'B' Grade

The season started with a huge win against Beeac, Ronny Hollmer's unbeaten century was sensational in a total score of 9/378 but in a replay of last seasons grand final against Irrewarra the following week the team was bowled out for 54. The team managed four wins from eleven games and finished well outside the final four. The highlight was the batting in general with several players scoring personal bests. A Club record opening stand of 171 against Warrion between Reid and Bell was one of several large partnerships. Reid finished the season with 948 runs at 72.90, including five centuries. Tom won the C&DCA 'B' Grade Batting Averages, 'B' Grade Cricketer of the Year and shared the Don Nicolsons award with Rohan Russell from Irrewarra. 'Spook' Hateley won the Club bowling averages with 21 wickets at 21.10. 

Alan Smith and sons Adam & Brook returned to play, Geoff Millard played his last game for the 'Marsh', a career that commenced in 1957, Johnny Wilson played his first and last against Stonyford and Peter Bell coached the first Junior team at the 'Marsh' for 25 years. (season statistics)

2002/2003  'C' Grade Runner Up

After six years in the wilderness, Brook Smith son of Alan, grandson of Colin got the club up and running again (see Colac Herald Story). Grant Byrne captained the team to 8 wins (two outright) and 3 losses during the home and away rounds to finish in second position. The 'Marsh' moved into the Grand Final against City United by easily defeating Lorne in the semi by 166 runs. Unfortunately we were outplayed in the final by an experienced father son combination and chasing 203 could only manage 70.

Phil Borg, 571runs @ 47.58 (one century and five fifties) was a consistent performer with the bat. Grant Byrne (one century) and Adam Smith were great support. Adam won the bowling averages with 39 wickets @ 10.90 (best 22/5/7/49). The teams strength was its varied bowling lineup with 'Nifty' Bennett, Phil Borg, Jimmy Melville and Matty Clissold all taking five or more wickets in a innings. Many players played their first games for the 'Marsh' including Shaw Kitchen, Jacob Hepner and Mark Fagan. (season statistics)

2003/2004  'C' Grade Premiers.

The format for the seasons games had been changed to 18 one day games in 'C' Grade. The team remained the same as the previous season were quietly confident of going one better. Finishing the home and away on top with 12 wins, 3 loses & 3 draws the 'Marsh' played old rival Lorne in the semi. They had beaten Lorne on 2 occasions during the season but batting first limped to 101 all out. Lorne had recovered from 7/42 thanks to a captains knock from Liam Breedveld (57). With one over remaining Lorne required 3 runs to win with 1 wicket in hand. The skipper Grant Byrne in a masterstroke brought himself on and secured the wicket, a great catch by Brook Smith. The 'Marsh' into the grand final by 1 run.

The 'Marsh' went on to defeat Tomahawk Creek in the final by 7 wickets in great all round performance. Glenn Dempsey 8/0/4/28 and Nathan Bennett 7.1/1/3/23 had the opposition reeling and all out for 104. The 'Marsh' batted with maturity and were never troubled, Brook Smith 43, Adam Smith 28 confirmed the premiership.
Adam Smith 408 runs @ 45.30 and Grant Byrne 434 runs @ 36.17 were the best of the batsman. Jimmy Melville 30 wickets @ 12.30 won him the association bowling averages. Glen Dempsey 31 wickets @ 14.10 and Phil Borg 26 wickets @ 13.85 proved the depth of bowling at the 'Marsh'. Brook Smith's 21 catches behind the stumps was also a highlight. (season statistics)

2004/2005  'B' Grade Runner Up

Deans Marsh was promoted to 'B' Grade after last seasons emphatic grand final victory. Adam Smith was elected captain. Leighton Hart from New Zealand and Tom Reid returning from Cairns bolstered the already strong lineup. At Christmas the team had just one win from eight games and were looking at relegation back to 'C' Grade. 

The competition was well balanced and five wins from six games after Christmas secured third place and a semi-final game versus Forrest. The turn around was largely due to a recruiting coup, the experience and guile of Peter 'Rip' Bracken from Anglesea and past premiership captain at Lorne Marshall 'Feelers' Goddard. Their enthusiasm and enjoyment for the game rubbed off on the other players. 

A fine innings of 93 from Phil Borg and 'Rip' Bracken's four wickets accounted for Forrest (match report) and a place in the clubs third consecutive grand final. The team battled well against old rival Lorne but were unable to match the youth and skill of Luke Hodge. (match report)
Season highlights were many. Shaw Kitchen's six at Otway, Glenn Dempsey's 20/6/7/47 v Colac, and Phil Borgs swash buckling century v Irrewarra. (season statistics)

2005/2006  'B' Grade Premiers & 'C' Grade All Stars

After the disappointment of the previous season the 'Rat Executive' set about improving the training facilities at the Deans Marsh Memorial Reserve. A generous grant from Cricket Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire enabled the Club to construct two new practice nets with green tops. A new surface was layed on the center wicket and talk of two senior teams was in the air.

Two teams were entered in the competition for the first time in 25 years. Leighton Hart was elected captain of the Club with John Dempsey taking on the leadership role of the newly formed 'C' Grade (All Star Rats).

'B' Grade season statistics

'C' Grade season statistics

Club Championship

Grand final match report

Presentation Winners

The atmosphere was fantastic with twenty five members consistently at training. Highlights were many. In 'B' Grade, Scotty Kent's aggressive batting throughout the season, Nathan Bennett's faultless display behind the stumps and the skippers attacking leadership combined to form a strong team that was only beaten once.

In 'C' Grade, Kane Smartt and Nick Colesmore's fielding and catching were superb, new boy Danny Zdybel helped to bond this youthful team into a competetive outfit by season's end.

2006/2007  'A'  Reserve Premiers , 'C' Grade Premiers & Under 13's

The Club had recruited well over the previous winter. New recruits Craig Jarvis (Colac West) and Matty Nelson (City United) both performed above expectations. Craig and Matty finished one, two C&DCA Cricketer of the year.

The ‘Premier Rats’ had played sixteen matches, winning fourteen of them.

 Grant Byrne returned to the Club to lead the Second Eleven. The team was made up of several young local lads and some very wise old heads. Andrew Stewart found the form he enjoyed in the seventies making four fifties, twice batting through the allotted forty overs. He was supported by Byrne and the young guns, James Fowler and Nick Coles-More.

The bowlers all bowled well throughout the season. Luke Sayers (18 wickets), Richard DiNatali (5/24 in the semi), Shaun Smartt and Seb Cotton gave the skipper plenty of options. The ‘All Star Premier Rats’ played fifteen games winning ten.

Thanks to Ramon More and Luke Sayers, the Club was able to field an Under 13 Junior side. Jessie Steenholdt led an enthusiastic group with great maturity.

The competition was strong, but with several of the Junior Rats playing their first competitive games they continued to improve with every game. The highlights were countless, Josh Weatherhead (batting) won the association batting aggregate, Josh McFarlane (bowling), Siobhan and Cameron White (fielding) to name a few. The twilight matches were played in a wonderful spirit and in a very social atmosphere thanks to the many supporting parents. The Club is keen to extend the development of the juniors next season drawing on the Birregurra community for their continued support. 

2007/2008 'A'  Reserve Premiers , 'C' Grade  & Under 13's

2008/2009 Division 2 , Division 4 & Under 14's