Yamba Cricket Club past & present are getting together for a reunion dinner to be held at Yamba Golf Club on Saturday this coming October 17. The club was originally known as Palmers Island CC and they played all their matches at the current location in Coldstream St in Yamba as far back as 1965. The wicket in those days was made from glazed concrete which had a hump in the middle and was covered in coir matting – rumour has it that fast bowler Henry Brown told the up and coming Joe Brooks to make sure he pitched the ball up – the 3rd ball of Joe’s first went over the batsman for 6 byes. In those days Palmer’s Island had 2 sides with Sodie Black captain/coach of the 1sts & Billy Cox captain of the no2 team – most of these players resided in the Yamba district. Black & Hilly Cannon opened the batting whilst the stylish Lester Durrington batted at no3 – the rest of the team was made up of Joe Castle, Bill McCarron and the twin Castle’s Tony & Vince who were identical and hard to tell apart – a nightmare for the scorer and opposition captain. Yamba Colts were formed in the mid 1960’s but only lasted a season or two Ian Causley took over from Sodie Black when he retired and other players to contribute in that era where Mick Bateman who later went on to become an umpire, wicket-keeper Alister Barnier, Ray Black, Joe Davis, Daryl Durrington, and fast bowler Claude Blanch who had a similar action to Australian player Ray Lindwall. The Club was then sponsored by Yamba Bowling Club and money was raised by running cake raffles throughout the season. The first turf wicket as put down in the 1977/8 season and was curated by Hilly Cannon. From then the club grew in stature with the arrival of stroke makers Ian Dunbar, Geoff Gorman & Barry Leonard and in the early 80’s had a battery of good fast bowlers such as Ross Farlow, left armer Warren Watkins, all rounder Peter Black and up and comers Robbie Preston & Glenn Watkins. The club then fielded 3 senior grades and 2 junior teams. During the 90’s the club struggled for players but were held together by Ron Chaffey until the arrival of wicket keeper/batsman Kevin Styles from Hong Kong who oversaw the major redevelopment of Yamba Oval which included a new wicket square, picket fence and new training facilities with a grant from NSWCA. He was assisted by a team of locals led by Ron Jeffrey & Peter Urquhart the current curator and groundsman for the past 16 seasons. It is now time to get your Don Bradman autograph bat out of the shed, polish your ball and get back off your long run and connect with some of your old team mates. All past/present players/managers/scorers/coaches/committee/golden oldies are most welcome to attend. Cost is $20 per head 5.30 for 6pm with drinks available at the bar. RSVP October 13th Yamba Golf Club front desk – further information contact Jim Kelly 0417 889 848, Graham Mackie 0412 057 165, Rob Connolly 6646 9911 or Daniel Green 6646 8471.