Port Kembla Cricket Club

Originally founded by the Darcy Roaders, based around a group of cricketers living opposite Electrolytic Refining & Smelting on Darcy Road in Port Kembla, the team was officially called the Electrolytic Company Club in 1912, playing its first official game on the 18th March 1912 defeating the team from Wollongong C. The success of teams selected from workers of the Electrolytic Company and the Dar

cy Roaders prompted team captain Jack Petfield to press for the formation of the Port Kembla District Cricket Club. A meeting was held on 5th September 1912 at the Great Eastern Hotel (now called Steelworks Hotel) where the Port Kembla D. was officially formed and the first office bearers appointed. Mr Jack Petfield was officially appointed the first 1st grade Captain. C., the first match was played against Wollongong at (now) Wollongong Showground. Port Kembla temporarily played home games at Wollongong until generous financial assistance was given by the management of Electrolytic Refining & Smelting Co. (then the only major industry in Port Kembla), which donated the first ground and wicket, which was laid at the northern end of the Electrolytic Company grounds in Port Kembla (now tennis court and car park near Police Station). The original wicket can be seen in the pictures below. This was used almost continuously until 1939. Dr. Kirkwood was instrumental in having a turf wicket laid down in 1925. This proved unsuccessful because of problems arising regarding upkeep. Later, a strip was laid down at Kemblawarra Oval and still later transferred to its present location at King George V Oval. Some of the finest cricketers ever to play in the Illawarra have padded up for Port Kembla since the club's inception in 1912. Three of these players, Albert Bennett, Max Hanna and Frank Jones represented against international teams. The general opinion of supporters of many years standing is that the late Herb Mills was the best cricketer to ever play for Port Kembla. Herb was also a state rugby league referee. It was also generally agreed that Gordon Rodwell was the best ever captain and later cricket administrator to emerge from the smoke stacks. The club won its first premiership in 1914-15. Competitions were suspended during the First World War, and Port Kembla returned to the winning list in 1921-2, 1922-3, and 1923-4 with three successive premierships. In the 54 years of the club's history (article originally written 1966), the following players gave more than 15 years service: H.A. Ackerman, C. Brewer, S. Small, E. Leplastrier, G. Rodwell, M. Simon and G. Hoffman.