Payneham Dukes
Cricket Club

Founded 1868

Chronological
History

Please click here to view the First XI Cap Numbers

1838
Samuel Payne subdivided Payneham, and set aside four acres as a public park on the block bordered by Rosella, John and Arthur Streets. Eastern boundary was probably in line with the existing pepper tree adjacent to the John Street entrance gates.

1868
Foundation year of the Payneham Cricket Club.

1883
Three trustees appointed by public meeting to oversee the development of the land, originally donated by Samuel Payne, into a reserve eventually known as “The Square” and used by Payneham Cricket and Football Clubs.

1898
Foundation year of the East Torrens Cricket Association.

1908-09
Payneham Cricket Club’s first premiership in the East Torrens Association
From 1909 to 1931 Payneham played in 20 Grand Finals, winning 13 premierships.

1916
“The Square” handed over to the Payneham District Council by the Trustees.

1923
Mr Bowles’ market garden to the east of “The Square” purchased for 1500 pounds to develop Payneham Oval.

1926
Payneham Oval used for both cricket and football.

1927
Foundation stone laid for grandstand on November 5th.

1930
Turf wicket established at Payneham Oval, mainly through the efforts of Dr W A Pryor.

1932
Adelaide Turf Cricket Association formed during the winter. Dr W A Pryor, a leading Payneham cricketer, played a prominent part in its formation and was Chairman for the first three years.

1932-33
Inaugural season of the ATCA. Dr Pryor donated the Pryor Shield for annual competition between affiliated clubs: St Peters College, St Peters Old Collegians, Prince Alfred College, Prince Alfred Old Collegians, Payneham, Hawthorn, East Torrens Colts and Prospect.

Grounds used were St Peters College Oval, Prince Alfred College Oval, Payneham Oval and Hawthorn Oval.

Opening round was held 1 and 8 October 1932 when Payneham played East Torrens Colts at Payneham Oval. Payneham team (batting order): A C Cross, J H McDonald, D Smith, R Bent, E Franklin, W Johnson, L Philcox, J Mealor, R Smith, R Cook and W Blucher.

Scores:Payneham 196 ( J McDonald 90, A Cross 46) and 127 (I Philcox 24)

East Torrens Colts (L Philcox 4/55, E Franklin 3/15)

1934
Passing away of leading Payneham allrounder Laurie Philcox.

1935-36
Payneham Second Eleven disbanded.

1940-41
ATCA premiership won by Payneham. No finals were played, the team with the most points at the end of the season were awarded the premiership.

1940-41 to 1943-44
Payneham Oval was not used due to financial and war-time man-power restrictions.
Practice wickets used and prepared by voluntary labour.

1944-45
Cricket matches resume at Payneham Oval.

1945-46
Second and Third Elevens formed at Payneham.

1946-47
Second Eleven admitted to ATCA. Annual Report and Balance Sheet produced, printed and posted to members prior to AGM. Fourth Eleven was formed. G H Manuell, Payneham President, donates the Manuell Shield for annual competition in ATCA for Grade A2.

1947-48
Premierships won by First XI and Fourth XI.

1948-49
Sightboards manufactured for Payneham Oval by Ambrose Smith and his father.
First publication of the fortnightly newsheet, “The Payneham Cricketer”.

1949-50
Premiership won by Third XI.

1950-51
Extensions to practice wickets at southern end of Payneham Oval.

1951-52
Premiership won by Colts (Fourth XI).

1952-53
Premiership won by Second XI. Passing of H R James (Patron).

1953-54
Inaugural end of season trip to Wallaroo.

1954-55
Premierships won by Second XI and Third XI.

1955-56
Old concrete pitch replaced at Wellington Road School (now Trinity Gardens School) at cost of 29 pounds. Eventual site of Devitt Oval.

1956-57
Fifth XI formed and won premiership. Third XI admitted to ATCA. Approval given by Wellington Road School Council to establish a turf wicket at Portrush Road end of grounds (now Wellington Oval).

1957-58
Turf wicket established on Wellington Oval by voluntary club labour.

1959-60
Fifth XI admitted to ATCA (Junior hardwicket grade). Additional practice pitches laid down at northern end of Payneham Oval. Mechanical roller for turf wicket at Wellington Oval constructed by members R Duffy, K Edwardes and K Duke.

1960-61
Approach from East Torrens District Cricket Club to amalgamate with Payneham.

1961-62
Construction begun for social room and canteen at northern end of change rooms.*

1962-63
Premiership won by Fifth XI. Two schoolboy teams fielded in local Saturday morning competition. Extension to dressing shed at Wellington Oval. New social room at Payneham used for first time. Work commenced on new enclosed practice area.

1963-64 to 1964-65
Development of new practice area.

1965-66
Premiership to Fourth XI. New practice area used for first time.

1967-68
Payneham Oval ploughed up, graded, and reseeded.

1968
4 December: Inaugural meeting of the Payneham Sports Club (now PSA Inc).*

1970-71
First XI won premiership. Members bar in operation.* Club now an incorporated body.

1971-72
First XI won premiership. Fifth XI admitted to turf grade. Sixth XI formed and admitted to ATCA hardwicket. Passing of G H Manuell (Patron) and M E Redden (President).

1972-73
Sixth XI admitted to turf grade. Under 15 XI formed and admitted to ATCA hardwicket grade. Steel sightboards installed at Payneham.

1973-74
Practice area extended to include two carpet wickets. Payneham Oval playing area enlarged and mounds graded by Payneham Council. Negotiations between Trinity Gardens School Council, St Peters YCW Football Club and Payneham Cricket Club for establishment of second turf wicket on school grounds.

1974-75
Work commenced on new turf oval (Devitt) at Trinity Gardens School. Roof removed from old grandstand at Payneham Oval. Dressing rooms converted to Tom Cheney Bar and Members Lounge.* Construction of new dressing rooms by Payneham Council.

1975-76
New dressing rooms finished and dedicated to the memory of the late Councillor Roy Farnham. Tom Cheney Bar now ready for use by members.* Practice area extended at the southern end.

1976-77
Arrangements made to use turf wicket at Thordon High School.
Formation of Payneham Sports Association.

1977-78
Under 15 XI changed to Under 16 and Under 14 teams. Devitt Oval used for full season.

1978-79
New dressing room complex completed at Trinity Gardens School.
ATCA v Victorian Sub-Districts Cricket Association game held at Payneham Oval.

1979-80
First XI premiership. Practice wicket extensions at southern end ready for use.

1980-81
Under 16 XI premiership. Centre wicket area at Payneham extended to six pitches.
New upstairs clubrooms available for use.*

1981-82
First XI premiership.

1982-83
Under 16 XI premiership. Passing of Doug Elliott (Treasurer). Fifteen-year lease for use of Devitt Oval signed by Minister of Education, Trinity Gardens Primary School Council, St Peters YCW Football Club and Payneham Cricket Club on 22 September 1982.

1983-84
Under 16 XI premiership.

1984-85
Passing of John Trzeciak (General Committeeman).
Club Secretary, K J Duke, receives Payneham Citizen of the Year award.

1985-86
First XI won the wooden spoon. Other seven grades all participate in major round.
Under 14 XI premiership. Underground automatic watering system installed at Payneham Oval.

1986-87
First XI premiers and minor premiers. Under 16 XI premiership. Complimentary dinner to K J Duke for 52 years of cricket at Payneham. St Peters YCW Football Club vacate Devitt Oval. Lease adjusted to include Rostrevor United Soccer Club.

1987-88
First XI, Second XI and Under 16 XI all runners-up. Club Secretary, K J Duke, awarded Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in Australia Day Honours list for services to cricket.

1988-89
Third XI premiership. Under 16 XI undefeated premiership. Under 14 XI runner-up.
Annual ATCA and VSDCA match held at Payneham Oval. K J Duke completes 50 years as Honorary Secretary of Payneham. Payneham Oval Tennis Courts extended and upgraded.

1989-90
Third XI, Fourth XI, and Under 16 XI all runners-up. East Adelaide-Payneham and Veterans Tennis Clubs commence use of Payneham Tennis complex as their home bases. Tom Cheney Bar upgraded.*

1990-91
Third XI premiership. Annual three-day ATCA and VSDCA cricket match held at Payneham Oval.

1991-92
First XI premiership. Fourth XI premiership. New canteen area built.* Passing of L B “Jack” Fischer, former player and Chairman.

1992-93
First XI and Third XI both runners-up. Resignation of club stalwarts R K Saunders (Darwin) and B W Colborne (Queensland).

1993-94
Third XI premiership. Retirement of T M Goodwin as a player. K J Duke, OAM completes 55 years as Honorary Secretary. Honour Board installed in Payneham Oval clubrooms.

1994-95
Second XI Grade B1 premiers, their first title since 1954-55. Honour Board dedicated by Mayor of Payneham, R C Williams, Esq AM. New building additions and renovations completed.*

1995-96
Final payment to Payneham Council on 15-year loan to finance construction of upstairs functions room.
Commencement of new 20-year loan from Payneham Council to finance rebuilding and renovations on club premises.
Passing of former player and club identity, H J “Horse” Davis.

1996-97
Under 16 XI Premiers, Under 14 XI Runners-up
G A Wills wins West End Cup (SACA) player of the series, representing the ATCA.
Club purchases a Computer.

1997-98
First XI, Limited Overs XI, Under 16 XI and Under 14 Blue XI - major round participants.
Club has new landlord at Payneham Oval with the amalgamation of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Councils.
Passing of former President - A R Martin.
Signing of 5-year lease extension for Devitt and Wellington ovals.

1998-99
Third and Fourth XI - Premierships. Under 17 XI - “Runner-up”.

1999-00
First XI Runner-Up in Premier Grade
K J Duke, OAM completes 60 years a Club Secretary
G A Wills wins ATCA Batting Trophy, A J Wilton wins ATCA fielding Trophy.

2000-01
Sudden passing of former club Secretary K J Duke OAM after 64
continuous years service

2002-03
Second XI Runners Up – beaten in the last over of the game
CM Underwood sets record of fastest 50 – 17 balls (1st XI)
New scoreboard commissioned

2003-04
R Batusic scored fastest ever 100 (45 mins, 33 balls in 5th XI)
Limited Overs team (LOD) and Under 13 Blue team win premierships
3 record partnerships broken -1st XI 8th wicket 119, all club 7th wicket 179*, all club 10th wicket 143

2004-05
Under 15 Blue win premership, Simeon Dravitski takes 9/28, 7 teams make finals
Club wins national award for ABC Community Club of the Year, club fields 6 senior teams and 8 junior teams,
Club changes nick name and casual logo from "KNIGHTS" to "DUKES" in honour of club legend Keith J Duke,
$15,000 invested into major upgrade of the practice facility netting,
5th wicket club partnership broken - 225.

2005-06
Substantial expansion of Junior & Sub Junior section of club – 1 U17 team, 4 U15, 4 U13 & 5 U11 teams
ATCA instituted on-line score submission. First XI failed to win a game in A1 Grade and was demoted to A2.

2006-07
Significant “water grant” received from Federal & State Governments for installation of water-wise irrigation
of Wellington Oval. System installed over Christmas break. First XI finished minor premier in A2 grade and won
the right to re-enter A1 grade.Record broken for highest club 2nd wicket partnership at
Payneham Oval – 161 vs SPOC (1st XI). Premierships were won by the 1st XI and in the under 15,13 & 11 grades.

2007-08
First XI re-entered Premier A1 Grade and finished minor premiers. Premierships won in U15 & U11 grades.
Under 9 competition introduced by NEJCA and 2 teams competed. GG Wilson played 400th game for club – a new record.
Passing of former life member – Mrs Eileen Duke

2008-09
Premiership won in by Under 11 Knights team. Club now has 4 teams in Under 11 competition conducted by NEJCA.
"A" Grade team participated in ATCA 20/20 Grand Final under lights at Adelaide Oval. LOD side played a night game
against Kilburn as part of regular competition.

*denotes PSA Project

2009-10
Juniors expanded to 13 teams (u17, 2xU15, 4xU13, 4xU11 & 2xU9). Under 15 Red, U11 Knights & U11 Blue won premierships.
Ist, 3rd & 4th XIs reached the finals but none were ultimately successful. G G Wilson continues to play – now 430 games.
Record broken for highest 1st XI 3rd wicket partnership – 220 vs SPOC. (same match also highest ever score vs SPOC – 5/434).

2010-11
Premiership wins to the Under 17XI, the Under 13 Dukes and the Under 11 Knights. The U13 Dukes also won the U13 20/20 Knockout Cup. Geoff Wilson continues to play – now 440 games, and Ian Scott secured his 500th wicket in the last game of the season. All four senior 2 day competition teams reached the finals, but none snared a trophy. A number of players continue to show remarkable longevity – the 3 players with most appearances have together played 1115 games, the top 3 batsmen have scored 18180 runs, and top 3 bowlers have taken 2062 wickets!

2011-12
Reduced player numbers caused the withdrawl of the 4th XI after round 6. Premierships to U15 Blue and U11 Dukes XIs.
Shaun Heeps passed the 7000 club runs milestone. An under 11 team set a new record score - 8/328. Wayne Margitich returns
to the club as an enthusiastic active Chairman.

2012-13
First and second XIs reached the finals but stumbled again at the final hurdles. First XI won SAMCA T20 competition and defeated the country winner in the city/country play off. Second XI won ATCA Div 2 T20 comp. Premierships achived by U15 Dukes and U11 Dukes. Insufficient players to field an U17 team, but 4 U15 teams competed. Andrew Lee (ex Walkerville) appointed Senior Coach. Joss Farmer appointed First XI captain and Luke Devine Vice Captain (both ex East Torrens). Major building development at Trinity Gardens School interrupted match availability at these grounds and further reduced the size of the two playing areas. Two old concrete practices wickets replaced and a new one added at Payneham. On-line registration implemented for Juniors. Noted passing of Jack Bickle.

2013-14
For the first time for as long as current members can recall the club did not secure a premiership in any grade. Wellington Oval
was further reduced in playing area and is now being considered as only suitable for junior matches. Outstanding performances
were few and far between but notably the 2nd XI scored 7/403 vs. AHOS, Marty Baker reached 3000 career runs and Peter Newbold 2000, while an under 9 – Riley Smith, took 5/2. T20 competitions were entered at levels across the club with no team reaching the finals. A unique friendly was played with the international side representing PNG as a pre-season warm up. The club hosted games in the Australian under 17 Championships. Bob Wilton was selected in the Australian Over 70 team that toured England in August 2013. Club hosted A1 Grand Final for 2nd year in a row. Graham Vincent retires as Annual Report editor.

2014-15
First and Second X1 reached the final four, but did not proceed any further. Club fielded four senior and twelve junior teams in the current season. The club had the services of Steven Crook, a first class cricketer for English county side Northamptonshire for part of the season. The U11 Knights were the only premiership in the club for the 2014/15 season. Due to the redevelopment of Wellington Oval by the Trinity Gardens Primary School, the turf pitch on the oval has now been lost to the Club after 56 years. Noted passings of Bill Gillard, Bob Saunders and Alivn Catchlove.

2015-16
Premiership were won by under 17, under 15 and under 11 blue teams. All senior sides had a disappointing season. Mark Barber had another fantastic season, claiming four major senior awards. The club’s financial position continues to be sound. The club again hosted an under 19 Australian Championship game at Payneham. This season we had three players from the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy play with the A grade. They were from England, Denmark and Zimbabwe. Longtime club patron Norm Wilson passed away.