A Brief History of:-

The Nepean District Cricket Association: (An excerpt from the NDCA "Centenary Celebration" Program, 1998)
.THE inaugural meeting to form the Nepean District Cricket Association was held on the 21st August, 1898 at Vallance's Hotel, Penrith. The meeting was convened by Mr Thomas Dixon of Mt Druitt. The foundation clubs were Springwood, Emu Plains, Mulgoa, Castlereagh, Penrith, Penrith Railway, St Marys and Mt Druitt. In the inaugural season, the clubs competed for the Lees Shield, donated by Samuel Lees, the local member of Parliament. Castlereagh won the first premiership and also the right to keep the shield after they had won three premierships. Mr Wallace of Luddenham donated a shield to replace the Lees Shield. Castlereagh also won this shield outright by winning another three premierships. The Nepean District Cricket Association at the end of season 1921-22 organised a subscription list to purchase a shield for the competition. The shield was named the Evans Shield in memory of Ted Evans who was born at Emu Plains. Ted had an outstanding career in first class cricket, playing for NSW in Inter Colonial matches. He was one of only three bowlers to take over 100 wickets in those matches. He also toured England with the Australian team in 1886. The shield was purchased for 19 pounds 12 shillings and sixpence. Emu Plains have been the most successful club winning the Evans Shield on eighteen occasions. The highlight being winning seven consecutive premierships from 1946-47 to 1952-53. Penrith Leagues Club, with eight premierships, including five in a row 1983-94 to 1987-88, are the next most successful club. A B-grade competition was introduced in 1927-28. The clubs played for the Nepean Cup, with the Penrith Club being the inaugural winners. A C-grade competition was introduced in the season of 1933-34, with the clubs competing for the Howell Cup. This trophy was donated to honour international cricketer William Peter Howell, a farmer from Castlereagh who toured England on three occasions 1899-1902 and 1905. The Penrith Club were the first winners of this trophy. In 1961-62 an A-reserve competition was introduced. The clubs played for the Deane Trophy. The trophy was donated by Mr Bernie Deane, a member of State Parliament. Blacktown Workers were the first winners of this trophy. The Association at one stage conducted competitions in thirteen divisions with 104 teams affiliated. Currently, 72 teams are affiliated, playing in nine divisions. The formation of the Blacktown District Cricket Association saw the decline in numbers with clubs from Blacktown, Doonside, Rooty Hill and Mt Druitt affiliating with Blacktown. The Association now has three turf wickets, Corr Oval at Cambridge Park, Dukes Oval and Darcy Smith Oval, both at Emu Plains. The Association was affiliated with the Hawksbury Cricket Council for over thirty years, along with Hawksbury, Camden and Blue Mountains initially. Later on, Southern Districts replaced Blue Mountains. At present, the Association is affiliated with the NSW Districts Cricket Association, (formerly the NSW Junior Union) and is fielding three teams this season (1998-99) in the NSW Districts Cricket Association Inter District matches:- The Martin Shield, the Telegraph Shield and the Duhram Shield. The Association was responsible for forming the Nepean Grade Club in 1973 (renamed Penrith in 1978), and was its major sponsor in its initial season 1973-74 with a donation of $1000. Despite the opposition of many more sports and the decline of cricket in schools, cricket is still in a very healthy state in the district.

The Henry Lawson Cricket Club:

The records of the present club only go back to 1987. However, the club participated in the Nepean District Cricket Association (NDCA) for some years prior to that. We now field teams in both the NDCA and the Penrith Junior Cricket Association (PJCA).

Early Beginnings: The club recognises the team which formed in the season of 1980/81 as its first "eleven".

"The First Eleven" 1980/81

Warren Tucker (Capt), Bob Pini (V. Capt), Ian Tucker, Phillip Tucker, Barry Bowman, Alan Ward, Max Watts,Jim Sibra Bill Langford, Warren Allen, Greg Schultz (Snr), Paul Thomas, Bill O'Mera, Mick Rivas.

The following season, with the addition of new members, this team divided enabling us to form two (2) teams. From these humble beginnings, the club has continued to grow.

The Junior Club:

The first junior team was formed in 1987/88 when the club fielded a side in the Under 13,s.

"The First Junior Side" 1987/88 Under 13's

Craig White, Lindsay Burns, Jason Spinks, Murray Britton, Paul Cooke, Matthew Dunstan, Scott Suffolk, Brad Suffolk, Kurt Bryant, Bryan Walder, Terry Downes, Liam ----?

Coaches: Kevin White, Barry Halfacre, Brian Hillhouse, Paul Spinks

Scorer: Carol Burns       Manager: Max Burns

In 1991/92, the Under 10 Div2 team became the club's "first premiership winning team".

"The First Premiers" 1991/92 Under 10 Div 2

Greg Schultz (Jnr), David Spinks, Matthew James, Edward Donahoe, Grant Dennis, Daniel Manning, Nathan Grant, Matthew Sourdin, Ben Mellon, Chris Jones, Craig Tapp.

The following season, 1992/93, the club had enought juniors to form two (2) sides. Under 11 Div1 Coach: Greg Schultz (Snr) Under 14 Div2 Coach: Wayne Check That year also saw the selection of our first representative player:- Greg Schultz (Jnr) - Under 11's. The Club now has won eight (8) Junior Premierships (up to and including the 1997/98 season).

The Senior Club:

The first recorded senior team to win a premiership was the "Eighth Grade" team of 1996/97.