SANDHURST will be aiming to turn its run against Bendigo United around when the clubs do battle for the John Turner Memorial Cup in today’s start to the 12th round of the Bendigo District Cricket Association season.
Since 2005-06, the clubs have honoured cricketing legend John Turner, who was a key player, coach and mentor at both clubs.
Sandhurst Cricket Club president Morrie Hesse was a teammate of Turner for several summers and saw first hand the profound influence he had on many cricketers.
“John’s enthusiasm for the game was amazing.’’
In 333 first XI matches, mostly with Sandhurst, Turner scored almost 6000 runs and took 425 wickets at 17.47.
He was a key figure in Sandhurst’s golden era throughout the sixties.
The left-arm pace bowler played in six first XI premiership teams at Sandhurst, was captain-coach of a first XI grand final-winning team at North Bendigo, and coach of Bendigo United’s team that won the 1999-2000 first XI grand final.
The captain of Bendigo United’s first XI team that broke a premiership drought lasting 62 years, Chris Pinniger is still playing as a middle-order batsman, medium-pace bowler and key fieldsman in this season’s first XI action.
Turner’s exploits earned selection in Sandhurst’s and North Bendigo’s Team of the Century, and also the BDCA Team of the Century.
Turner represented Bendigo at 17 Melbourne Country Week campaigns and holds the distinction of capturing 9-3 in one contest.
A coach of many of the Bendigo United players now in the first XI, Turner was the co-ordinator of the Bendigo Bank Country Cricket Week carnival for 10 years and was inducted to The Advertiser Sports Star of the Year Hall of Fame.
His wife Faye, their children Natalie and Jamie, and grandchildren will take in some of the action between Sandhurst and Bendigo United.
Hesse said more than premiership points would be at stake on field this round.
In the battle for the John Turner Cup, points are awarded from all three senior matches, the under-17s and the three division A matches at under-15, under-13 and under-11 level to determine the Cup winner.
Man of the match awards are also presented.
Bendigo United has won each time and will be determined to continue its streak.
In the first XI, Sandhurst will be on home turf at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Dragons fired up to almost defeat the ladder-leading Golden Square in last Saturday’s final round of one-day matches for the Doug Keck-Barry Findlay trophy.
A Sandhurst victory in this contest would make it extremely difficult for the fifth-placed Bendigo United to contest the finals once again.
The Sandhurst line-up includes three BDCA Cricketer of the Year award winners - Mark Keck, Tim Robertson and Nick Scullie.
Bendigo United’s key players include captain Matt Pinniger, dual premiership captain Heath Behrens, and another grand final-winning captain, Nick Crawford.
In the second XI, the David Bicknell-led Bendigo United will be on the rebound from defeat on home turf at Harry Trott Oval.
The Alex Winfield-led Sandhurst has a win-loss record of 3-8 in the second XI competition.
The day’s play at the QEO will hit off with the third XI clash.
The Chris Martin-captained Bendigo United is second on the ladder, and the Dean Trew-led Dragons are fifth and just three points behind the Redbacks.
In the under-17 competition, Sandhurst has two wins, and Bendigo United the one in this summer’s play.
In the juniors, Sandhurst’s young stars include Dooley Niemann in the under-15A team, and Corey Page in under-13A.
The Quirk brothers, Jordan and Billy are among the keen youngsters playing for Bendigo United this season.
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