A Brief History

As the Traralgon Whites the club won the 1952/53 premiership, recording a resounding victory over Toongabbie. The game will be remembered for a number of outstanding points, none more so however than a majestic 180 by Frank Sartori, well supported by Harold Gilbert with 98. The clubs first innings score of 468 remains the highest innings score in the history of the club and came during a period where scores exceeding 200 were a rarity. Toongabbie responded with scores of 213 and 233, meaning that the club won its first premiership by an innings and 12 runs.

The club played and lost the semi final in each of the next two seasons, and were runners up to Centrals in season 1956/57.

In season 1957/58 as the Rovers Cricket Club, a second Premiership was added under the leadership of captain Jack Freeman. In that side were a number of greatly talented players including Jack himslef, but none were as dominant during that season as John Smales. John was a teacher who found himself moving from area to area with the Department of Education and whilst only playing a couple of seasons with the club his record as a bowler remains unchallenged. In just 18 games John took an amazing 116 wickets at an average of just 5.68. Players of this era talk of his greatness and of his action not being dissimilar to the famous Australian Test bowler of the 1950's and 60's Ray Lindwall - high praise indeed. In the 1957/58 season alone John took an incredible 84 wickets - put bluntly - he was just too good. As great as John was however premierships are not achieved by the talents of just one player, and the 1957/58 premiership was won by a team of contributors from number one to number eleven. Scoring 204 and 154, Centrals could only manage 86 and 129, Rovers therefore winning by 143 runs. John Smales dominated, scoring 50 in the second innings and taking 9 wickets for the match. He was well supported by Peter Hill's 4/39 in the first innings, and Jack Freeman's 6/40 in the second innings.

The club went through somewhat of a lean trot in terms of final appearances following its premiership success of 1957/58. It was not until the 1963/64 season that the club played in a semi final, losing that one to Demons by 9 runs.

Of particular note however during this period of time was the club's commitment to entering a team into the newly formed B Grade competition and so in season 1962/63 a Rovers Cricket Club B Grade team took to the field for the very first time. Not only would the B Grade side prove a strong breeding ground for the A Grade teams, but in its own right the B Grade team was to taste finals action on many occasions. It should further be noted that in 1963/64 the Brownbill Shield competition commenced for under 14 junior players, this level of competition also providing many senior players in the years to follow.

On 5 November 1965 Duncan Cameron Park was used for the first time by the TDCA and was the first turf wicket in the Association. In season 1981/82 this ground was to become the home of the Rovers Cricket Club, which it remains to this day, providing players and spectators alike with one of the most attractive grounds in Gippsland.

In the 1966/67 season the club again rose to finals action, this time making the grand final against a very dominant Toongabbie. David Little made a very good 63 in Rovers First Innings of 175, however despite 3 wickets by Gary Grist in Toongabbie's first innings the bowlers had little answer to Alan Anton and Roger Reis who made 154 n.o and 100 respectively in a team total of 332. Rovers responded with 8/143 in the second innings. Despite being well beaten there was no disgrace in losing to a Toongabbie team that will long be remembered as one of the greatest teams of the TDCA.

The club was unfortunate to again run up against Toongabbie in the semi final this time of the 1967/68 season and were defeated by 91 runs on the first innings. It wasn't until 1971/72 that the club next made the finals, again a semi final, and again unfortunately a loss, this time to Centrals by 108 runs on the first innings. In 1973/74 the old aversaries were at it again when Rovers played Toongabbie in the semi final. Consistent with recent finals matches against Toongabbie, Rovers lost be 38 runs on the first innings.

In 1974/75 the club had an opportunity to turn the tide on the mighty Toongabbie outfit, this time in the grand final. In what can only be described as an amazing grand final Toongabbie won by an innings and 31 runs despite only scoring 99 runs in the first innings, Brian Gobbi taking 5/17 for Rovers. Rovers were routed for scores of just 40 and 28 in its two innings.

In 1981/82 the TDCA was to commence a C Grade competition, with the club again committed to entering a team.

In A Grade however it was another 8 seasons until the club was to see finals action, season 1983/84 seeing it defeated by by Centrals by 26 runs in the semi final. Another semi final appearance in 1986/87 saw the club pitted against Tyers, this time losing by 3 wickets and another crack at a premiership went begging.

Under the astute leadership of Neil Burns, a very young and inexperience Rovers team made the grand final in season 1990/91 against Centrals which boasted some of the best credentialed players to play in the TDCA. Rovers were never in the hunt and had no answer to the magnificant bowling of former Melbourne District fast bowler Ron Howland who took 7 wickets in the innings. Despite 5 wickets by Neil Burns, Centrals total of 9/248 was well beyond the young Rovers team who were dismissed for just 73.

Another grand final was competed for in 1992/93 against Gormandale. On a wicket offering some assistance to the bowlers, Rovers made 138 to which Gormandale, recovering from 2/10, replied with 4/141.

A drought of 37 years was finally broken in 1994/95 when the club played and defeated Tyres in the grand final. New skipper Mark Brown had recruited strongly prior to the commencement of the 1994/95 season, in particular in attracting Peter Petrou and Adrian Wilson, Wilson later going on to a fine career at Franskton and South Melbourne in District Cricket in Melbourne. Batting first at one stage Rovers were 5/68 however recovered to compile 227 with Glen Betteridge (61) and Mick Meyer (43) the top scorers. Tyers, Brian 'Red' Roberts, a former Rovers player bowled superbly to take 7 wickets. In response Tyers were dismissed for 120 with Mick Meyer and Anthony Bloomfield taking 4 and 3 wickets respectively.

The following year, season 1995/96, the club again made the finals, this time against Ex-Students. The game was eventually a washout, with Ex-Students progressing to the grand final by virtue of finishing higher on the ladder at the end of the home and away season. This game represents the final time the club played in a TDCA finals series however the club remains focused on the development of its youth and with continued inprovement this proud club will no doubt again rise to finals glory.

Compiled by Mick Meyer - 2004