30/04/2026
TRACING THE RICH HISTORY OF OUR CLUB | PART 26 | BY BARRY LEABOURN
B Grade Originals There at the GCC Start
While the Greerton Cricket Club βAβ Grade team hogs much of the clubs early spotlight, the βBβ grade side were a very important component of the GCC, first season, playing in the Tauranga Cricket Association competitions.
The βBβ Graders were an integral part of the social fabric of the GCC and also proved cover for the first team with work and injury absences.
1974/75 B Grade Players
Roy Brown (Captain) Keith Lowry, Brian Swale, Peter Jamieson, Colin Henderson, Terry Sharplin, Rod Cameron, Rocky Bestwick, Don Harvey, John McWilliam, Bruce Fletcher, Peter Smyth β also Peter Jamieson Jnr, Murray Jamieson, Dean Morrisey, Colin Murray, Keith McLean, Geoff Oliver, Graham Ramshaw, Graham Ryan, Jim Stewart.
1974/75 Annual Report
B Grade - This team was captained by Roy Brown and was unlucky not to finish higher than third out of the seven teams playing in the competition. This was due to a few games at the start of the season, being lost by narrow margins, because the team was short of players. Then as the season progressed we were at times embarrassed with numbers of players, and some had to take their turn at standing down.
The highest score of the season went to Keith Lowry, with a fine display of batting for 70 not out against Albion. Keith also fielded well throughout the season, as did Brian Swale, Peter Jamieson and Colin Henderson. Towards the end of the season Terry Sharplin got more than his share of catches.
Consistent batting became a habit with Colin Henderson, Peter Jamieson and Roy Brown. The following players scored half-centuries: Keith Lowry, Rod Cameron, Rocky Bestwick and Peter Jamieson.
Bowling honours went to Don Harvey and Colin Henderson. Whenever these two were used as opening bowlers, they formed a rather formidable pair as far as the opposition were concerned. Both Don (42) and Colin (42) captured over forty wickets each, which in any grade of cricket is a fine personal tally. John McWilliam showed promise as a good off-spin bowler. The wicket- keeping was shared between Bruce Fletcher and Peter Smythe.
Keith Lowry and Roy Brown were selected for the Tauranga B Grade representative team.
1974-75 B Grade Results
First Round
Midland/KatiKati lost by 70 runs
Mount Maunganui lost by 39 runs
Otumoetai College won by 46 runs
Te Puke High School lost by 31 runs
Albion won by 8 wickets
Tauranga Boysβ College β won by 25 runs
Second Round
Midland/KatiKati lost by 4 wickets
Mount Maunganui won outright by 8 wickets
Otumoetai College won by two wickets
Te Puke High School won by 3 wickets
Albion won by 15 runs
Tauranga Boysβ College - match rained off
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