170 Years of History
1856/57
The Coburg Cricket Club was formed out of the Pentridge Cricket Club for the 1856/57 season competing at various locations throughout the City of Coburg including McDonald Reserve next to the old Pentridge Stockade site and a ground locatedfd in Reynard Street.
1860/61
The Club competed in the VCA second grade competition with its only success being a Second XI Quarter final appearance.
1888/89
A 208 8th wicket partnership was recorded between B. Baxter and A. Ewins v Port Melbourne.
1889/90
Under the captaincy of Dr Ramsay Mailer, Coburg defeated Hawksburn in the Grand Final of the Boyle and Scott competition, winning by 11 runs before a crowd of 40,000 people. The Boyle and Scott Cup (the junior trophy of Victoria) is now on display at the MCG.
1892
Ramsay Mailer (son of Robert) and Peter O'Shannessy represented a Victorian XI against a touring English XI with Mailer scoring 43 and O'Shannessy claiming 5/24, including the prize wicket of WG Grace for a 'duck'.
1894/95
Coburg lost to Hawksburn by one run in from of 5000 people in the first of three Grand Finals played over fourteen Saturday's to decide the Boyle & Scott Champions of Victoria. Victory in the second final went to Coburg however our finest hour came in the third game to win the Boyle & Scott Cup by 5 runs played at the Richmond City Reserve before huge and excited crowds. The scores Coburg 142 & 362 (Irwin 110, Hyde 92) defeated Hawksburn 386 & 113. Other than the tight scores, the game had its controversy when in Coburg's seconf innings, Hawksburn's O'Connor was no balled for throwing 6 times in his first over. O'Connor tried both right and left hand bowling with Coburg's Dr Mailer twice refusing to play him. (The Coburg Advertiser, 1894)
1898/99
A game against Port Melbourne produced two club 1st XI records with a team score of 636 and a personal best by B Baxter 242 after being dropped before scoring.
1908/09
Coburg Cricket Club became a founding member of the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association (VSDCA).
1912/13
Coburg win against Elsternwick when FOUR Coburg players were absentees during their teams second innings.
Trophy winners that year included included A Askew (Batting 29.5 ave) and Jack Carlton (Bowling 15.5 ave).
1913/14
Coburg 2nd XI received a walkover from University and so as not to waste a beautiful day a scratch match was arranged with a Varcity player lifting two balls clean into Pentridge. (Coburg Advertiser, 1913)
1915/16
A terrible period for all as the club is drained of players for service during the Great War in Europe including future president H J Silverthorne. 1915 marked the official opening of the Coburg City Oval (formerly referred to as Henderson's Paddock).
During this era the CCC is represented by the "Cricketing Huntington's" with Frank eventually becoming the most prolific run scorer in the club's history. Of the eleven sons, eight played with Coburg and another with Caulfield. One of the daughters (Nancy) married Stan Booth who also became a playing member of the club. Jack Huntington (Captain) was followed by George and Frank. Second XI players include Les, Charles, Harry and Bob. Stan Huntington played with Coburg until he married, moving to Caulfield club. Stan and Jack also played football with Melbourne (VFL).
1920/21
Coburg Cricket Club embrace City Oval as "home" with A Loh claiming 9/41 against Brighton. The 2nd XI were dismissed for a platry 7 in their second innings versus Geelong. Interestingly, the first day was played at Coburg and the second day at Geelong. The scorecard highlighted Coburg 67 & 7 defeated by Geelong 119. (the Coburg 2nd innings included 6 ducks).
1922/23
The 1st XI are runners up to Brighton in it's first VSDCA Grand Final appearance.
1925/26
Construction of the City Oval grandstand commenced in 1925. In the 1925/26 season Cr D McDonald was elected President. Charles Huntington scored 274 including 144 v Kew, featuring in a 215 run partnership with brother Jack v Preston. R Robinson with 38 wickets headed the averages.
1926/27
Only two senior sides were fielded with the 1st XI finishing fifth and the 2nd XI runners up. Reg Heskett (father of Des) wins the VSDCA batting average. 2nd XI bowler A Martyn claims a record 82 wickets for the season. Crowds were aplenty with the lub fortunate to elicit the services of Messrs C Callander, J Maloney, and J Hall as gatekeepers. A sibling relationship is also established with the Fitzroy Cricket Club.
1927/28
........