Trevallyn’s ageing games record-holder Rob Howard groans about going around one more time to add to his 540 appearances for the club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“I played one game last year and it nearly killed me,” he laughs. But the fact is that Howard has fondly called Trevallyn Cricket Club home since way back in 1982.
It’s one thing to draw the club legend to the home of cricket on the hill, but it’s another why he can’t stay away.
“I probably kept coming back because I lived up the road and it was the closest sporting club,” Howard says.
“But it’s the camaraderie and the premierships made over the years. I have a lot of lifelong friendships here.”
The club had been around for 53 years when Howard first trundled to the wicket.
Almost regrettably, he has to admit to the cold figures of being a part of 40 per cent of Trevallyn’s storied history.
They may be rekindled over a beer or two ahead of the club’s 90th anniversary celebrations on February 9.
When most sporting clubs these days go by the wayside, the second-oldest existing TCL side is still prospering.
Trevallyn president Steve Cocker shakes his head and breathes a sigh of relief.
“There’s been a few moments where it’s been a bit tough,” he said. “We’ve had crises, but people pull together and guys that stepped away have come back.”
For Matthew Cocker, the universally-acclaimed best Trevallyn player of the past two decades, he never wanted to leave since arriving from turf neighbour Riverside.
“Most players I knew up here were old school friends, I played my first game in 1996-97 and I just wanted to be here every since,” he said.
Tickets to the 90th function must be purchased by February 1.