Memories of the “Battle of the Blues” in Australia
By Claud Reid

Source:Thomiana Newsletter

Claud reflects on the beginnings of this annual event and few memorable moments in subsequent encounters

The year – 1972. The venue – Albert Park Morley Pereira proudly holds aloft the Thomian flag, created for the occasion by his Sylvia, and marches to the centre of the ground. Accompanying him is Ernie de Bruin equally proudly carrying the “Blue, Gold and Blue”. The toss of the coin in the first Royal- Thomian cricket match is about to take place.

Over the years, the match moved to the matting wicket at Greythorn Park, then the turf wickets at Oakleigh, Carnegie, Bayswater and Mulgrave.

In the early days the two sides were equally matched. However, with the early “retirement” of Royal players Fitzroy Crozier and Michael Wille the pendulum swung in favour of STC. Following a string of successes by STC, Royal decided to enhance their chances by including Dav Whatmore, then a Sheffield Shield player for Victoria, in their side. The claim was that Dav, who migrated to Australia with his parents I believe, at a pre-school age was nevertheless entitled to play for Royal as he had been enrolled at Thurstan College.

Contests were always very competitive but friendly although there was some blood spilt on one occasion. A short ball from Thomian Colin Kellart found the nose of Royal batsman Rick Van Cuylenberg. Running repairs were carried out by Buddy Reid. Cricket history was created in a match at Greythorn Park. A former cricketer, standing in as an umpire, was so wrapped up in  the game that he appealed for an LBW on behalf of the Thomian fielders and gave the
batsman out.

At Carnegie, Royal batsman Chuck La Brooy hit a six and smashed the windscreen of his own car. The closest finish was in a match where STC needed three runs to win off the last ball. A wicket had fallen in the fifth ball and Allan Smith strode to the wicket. The Royal bowler attempting to bowl a yorker, bowled Allan a full toss waist high on the leg stump. Allan gracefully smashed it to the square leg boundary. Two notable overseas visitors to the match were
Lassie Abeywardene, who had the greatest influence in the development of Thomian cricketers during the mid-20th century and Vernon Prins, Thomian and Sri Lankan captain and arguably the best ever all-rounder in Sri Lankan
International cricket. For many years matches took on a greater stature, with VCA umpires organized by Barney
Reid.

Author: Claud Reid played consecutively for 44 years in the Melbourne Royal-Thomian Seniors games and in a number of open games. Claud is a recipient of the President’s Award (2007) for his contribution towards STC OBA cricket.

Editor’s Note: Claud is the eldest of the Reid Brothers, others being Ronnie, Buddy, Barney and late Johann (Tiny),
who all played cricket for STC with distinction.