To my Brothers and Sisters at the Randy Petes,

From myself, and the Committee, welcome to our 21st season. It’s been an extremely long wait but I’m excited that season 2021-22 is finally here.

This weekend all our teams take the field as one and I wish each and every team and player success throughout the season.

Off the field it has been extremely busy and I’m proud to say that our First Grade grounds Petersham and Coogee are back up and running with beautiful new state-of-the-art facilities. The Committee has been working tirelessly in all facets from recruitments, grounds, sponsorship, social events etc.

Additionally, my heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful sponsors who have recommitted to supporting our Great Club, and a warm welcome to our new sponsors in 2021-22. I encourage all our members to give back to our sponsors. Keep an eye out during the season for special deals. Please also sign up to iSponsor and choose Randwick Petersham as your organisation of choice and help us fundraise quickly and easily through the app.

I look forward to seeing you all around the grounds during the season and again wish you the best for 2021-22. Let’s make it a Great Season for our Great Club!!!

Trust Respect Humility

Michael Whitney AM
President

Suttons City at 2 Link Rd Zetland are holding their massive Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale 26th to 29th November 2021

Drive into Suttons City and speak to the expert team headed by Bridgette Noun and Osama Makhoul and mention you are from the Randy Petes.

Don’t miss out on their Great Deals and 6 Months No Repayments.

www.suttonscity.com.au 

Mike Whitney joined the Randwick Club in the summer of 1976 looking to fill in time between South Sydney football and the crashing waves of the Maroubra surf. The fast left-arm bowling talent of the brash, outgoing 17 year old was quickly recognised by club officials and he took his place in the Fourth grade line-up. Match figures of 9-26 in his fourth match was a sample of what was to come in the years ahead.

Mike’s failure to turn up for a match the following season when he sneaked up to the Gold Coast to enjoy his team’s end-of-season, earned him a one match ban and the tag “Crazy” from his cricket mates. The lesson brought a change in attitude which has stood the test of time and proved him to be one of cricket’s greatest ambassadors.

After a handful of games in Randwick’s First XI, Mike debuted for NSW at the Gabba in 1980-81, sharing the new ball with Len Pascoe and Geoff Lawson.

To gain experience, Mike went to England in the 1981 off-season joining Fleetwood in the Northern League competition. After some impressive displays, he played three matches for Gloucestershire in the County Championship taking 13 wickets. While packing his bags for the next county match, he received a dramatic call to go to Manchester instead to join the Australian Test team.

Within two days he had taken the field at Old Trafford, wearing the Baggy Green in the Fifth Test v England and becoming the 313th cricketer to receive the honour. A fairytale debut for the 21 year old whose overall First Class experience totalled just seven matches.

Few of his many fans who nervously watched their TV screens back home will forget Mike Whitney’s first over in Test cricket. After one ball it rained, and he had to wait 87 minutes to complete the over! Terrible for his nerves, but certainly a record for the longest over on Test cricket debut. Mike went on to take 2-50 and 2-74 in his first Test including the prized scalp of David Gower.

In the next Test at The Oval he had an ordinary match with the ball but, defying the suggestion that his turn with the bat was purely to satisfy convention, he managed to stay with Allan Border while they added a vital 32 runs for the last wicket. Through Mike’s grit and determination, Border was able to take his score from 80 to 106*.

Upon returning home Mike played only 6 First Class matches for the Blues before being sidelined with a back injury. He recovered to take 45 Shield wickets the following season before his left knee collapsed in 1983-84. The popular medical opinion was that this career was finished. But through resilience and perseverance he bounced back after enduring numerous operations and a gruelling fitness regime.

In total Whit represented Australia in 12 Tests claiming 39 wickets with 7-27 his best in an innings and 11-95 his best match figures. While for his beloved Blues he played 118 matches claiming 412 wickets at 26.75. In the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, “for significant service to cricket and to the broadcast media.”

On this day Randwick Petersham recognises our President’s Test debut anniversary and his capping as Australia’s 313th Test cricketer.

Congratulations Whit!!

On Sunday February 21st Randwick Petersham defeated Sydney Cricket Club by 8 runs to win the 2020-21 Limited Overs Premiership. This was the Randy Petes second title in the competition – last beating Fairfield-Liverpool in 2011-12.

It was Jason Sangha’s 2nd title in as many seasons as skipper  to go with the Belvidere Cup win in 2019-20.

Batting first 232 was posted courtesy of Adam Semple (44*), Anthony Sams (44) and Tim Affleck (39). In the defence Jason Ralston was the pick of the bowlers with 3-40 and was backed up by 2 wickets apiece from Riley Ayre and Caelan Maladay. Anthony Sams was awarded the Michael Bevan Medal as Player of the Final with 6 dismissals, to compliment his efforts with the bat, including a 10m stumping on the penultimate ball of the match to seal victory.

Read the full match report here

TRUST RESPECT HUMILITY

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