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Inter-Family Cricked
v
— •> ^C 1 -' . -
McConchies and Cotnbens to Meet*
By "Long-on"
The gauntlet Is down.
Two families
are about to start a feud.
Happily
for all concerned, it will be a
sporting affair, ond not the sort that
sends men gunning.
In fact, the only
shooter likely Is the ball that keeps
. extremely low when
tlio
wicket Is
pluying
badly.
The Combers
have
challenged the McConchies to a cricket
test, and on Foundation Day the
clans will battle on the reserves of
the Com be/13—the Worrlbeo
cricket
ground.
Neither
family
requires
Introduction
to the cricket public of Victoria.
The team of the McConchies has been
In existence for 19 years, but It has
been as Individual players that the
Combens
have Income
known.
In 1908 the MeConclilo family de-
cided to form a club. In which only
the direct offspring of tho McConchle
family and those bearing this name
should be eligible for selection.
They
Joined the Southern Cross Association
and retained their membership until
Its dlsbandment live seaBonn ago, when
they transferred to tho Metropolitan
League
The team had a remarkable
run of success in the Southern Cross
Association, winning the premiership
rive times.
They also captured
the
Frank Davey shield, a trophy
that
had to be won three times.
The
McConchies lifted the prize without
another club having the opportunity.
of inscribing its name on it- In addition
to the Ave rremiershlps already
mentioned. In the space of. 12 yeara
they were runners-up
four
times,
third twice, and Jourth once.
Thus
every season they fought
out
the
finals.
This Is * record to be proud
of.
Eew Wesley they Tnade the record
score of 696 -for the loss of six wickets.
In this game Owen scored 307
( not out and Archie -158. • Against the
| surrey Hiils Methodists the team,
KCored 64S for the loss of nine wiekets.
Owen getting 205 not out and
Archie 196. These figures must constitute
a record tor a two days' match
between Junior teams. Both Owen
and Archie McConchie have been regular
members' or the club since its
inceptio'ii. ' Out of the present eleven
seven played In the first match. These
are Roy (sen.), Alan, Owen, Archie,
Will, Sy<3 and Ron, and all have made|
centuries with the club. Roy (Jun.)
is a member of the Richmond second
eleven. He Is a promising left-hand
bowler and a sound batsman. Several
of the older players 'have 1 had many
opportunities to play pennant crlcltet.
but have remained true ,t<?-the cause,
of the family.
The McConchies are affiliated. with
Richmond, on whose ground they prac-
tlse twice a week. In the first year
of their membership with the Metropolitan
League they were third on the
premiership list. The following season
they were runners-up, and they succeeded
In lifting the honors the next
season. LaBt year was the blackest In
the history of the club, because for tlic
first time since its formation It mlSHed
.a place In the finals. This season the
family have lost only one game and are
optimistic regarding tlie premiership.
On Foundation Day they will select
their 11 from the following players:—
Archie (capt.), Syd, Roy, Alan, Owen,
Will, Bon, Dave, Norman, Alex, Fred.
Ken, Jack and Angus. In all probability
the choice of Jlie selectors will Include
those stalwarts who several seasons
ago helped to bring about
downfall of the proud cricketing prestige
. or the noted Geelong family, the
Hanklns.
NW that the worst, and best, has
been said about the McConchies, their
opponents, the Combens, claim attention.
Their team will Include Alt. Comben,
well-known in Werrlbee, and his
five sons, Clarrlo, Aubrey, Wlltred,
Stanley and Russell. Tho family of J-
Comben, of Wllliamstown, will be represented
by Horace, Ray and Charlie,
while Wattle and Ken are tho sons of
TVi Comben, lato of Werrlbee.
Although many of tlic team. Including
the veteran Alf, play in the Werribeo
district competition, several have
won 'honors-In-district and sub-district
circles, and a strong team is sure to be
afleld. Clarrle Comben has been a regular
member of the Fitzroy first
eleven for the past two seasons. He Is
a capable left-hand bowler and a sound
batsman. Horace and Roy, after playing
with Varravilie, Joined Williamstown,
and have been well among the
runs this season. Wally Comben Is a
member of the Fitzroy second eleven,
whlle Aubrey had several useful seasons
With WilUamstown.
The majority of the Combens ore
turf players, while the McConchies
play 011 matting, but it must be remembered
that the latter team practice
on turf. This will be the first occasion
In which the Combens hav.
placed a team in the field, but win or
lose they have decided it will not be
the last for they Intend giving the
McConchies.another chance .on a Melbourne
ground next year. The choice
of captaincy of the Combens has
rightfully fallen on Alt. the father and
uncle ot the team. He will also fill
the all important role of wicketkeeper.
Bob Crockett has been prevailed
upon to umpire the game. The
"gate" will be donated to charity.
ftmall beginnings beget big 'enterprises,
and it would not be surprising
to .hear of other family teams entering
the lists. Perhaps the Huntingtona.
who are a cricketing family, will not
pass the occas : on by.
Players who will take part in the McConchie-Comben match. From the left: Archie McConchie (capL of the McConchies), Clarrie Comben, and Ron. McConchie (secretary of the McConchie*). Help
Players who will take part in the McConchie-Comben match.
From the left: Archie McConchie
(capL of the McConchies), Clarrie Comben, and Ron. McConchie
(secretary
of
the
McConchie*).
$