NSW Premier Cricket: Umpire Peter Tate reaches a rare double century

When Peter Tate stepped onto University Oval last Saturday, he joined an exclusive XI 109 years in the making. Here’s the incredible achievement he’s notched.

FOR the self confessed cricket tragic, the first day of the NSW Premier Cricket match between Sydney University and UNSW saw Tate become just the 11th umpire to officiate in 200 Sydney first grade matches.

Peter Tate umpires his 200th First Grade game during Round 2 at the University of Sydney Oval on October 1, 2022. (Photo by Jeremy Ng / Newscorp)

An extensive playing and umpiring career in Newcastle ended when Tate took to Sydney’s middle for the first time in 2002, but in an initiation of patience, it would be three years before he cracked the top grade.

“My first appointment in first grade was at Richmond in October 2005. It was washed out before I reached the ground,” Tate recalled. “A month later I actually made it on the paddock at the iconic North Sydney Oval.”

But his days of sore feet and soggy sandwiches go well beyond that.

A distinguished lower grader at Newcastle Uni, the all-rounder plundered over 5000 runs and took more than 500 wickets before the hamstrings cried no more.

Umpire Peter Tate NSW Premier Cricket, Doug Bollinger. Supplied

That was 2001, but his love of the counter had started 16 years earlier.

“I commenced as a 20-year-old in 1985. I was easily the youngest, I’d play Saturday and umpire Sunday.”

It begs the question if there was time for anything else, let alone a relationship.

“Karen, 27 years my amazing wife, has always been my staunchest supporter,” Tate said.

“Now my cricket playing daughter Bethany also swaps tales at the dinner table,” he continued before offering his support to the skippers he’s worked alongside.

“I have a huge respect for all captains. A favourite that springs to mind is Greg Mail – always level-headed and very fair with feedback,” he deadpanned.

“And I imagine he didn’t mind when I was umpiring too, because he scored four double-hundreds with me out in the middle.”

It’s the type of chat that makes Tate infectious – perhaps the calmness behind his longevity.

Along the way, he has mixed with the likes of Greg Matthews and Brad Haddin, even policed Glenn McGrath’s front foot. Then there’s the SCG and even fond memories of the WACA, but there’s been plenty of bumps and laughs too.

Umpire Peter Tate NSW Premier Cricket and Glenn McGrath. Supplied

Like when Killara Oval had to be cleared to make way for an approaching rescue helicopter, or the day at Passmore Oval in Newcastle when an intoxicated streaker made off with his prized hat.

In the heat of battle, Tate acknowledges his errors and even though he prides himself on the laws of the game, says things don’t always go to plan.

“There was one day when Stuart MacGill was bowling his leggies at Sydney Uni. He bowled a ball, and it went through the stumps without dislodging the bails,” he said.

“He was far from happy, especially when he managed to fit the ball between the stumps. And that’s on us, but what’s worse, he then fit the ball through the stumps at the other end.

“Poor Stuey was beside himself, his teammates saw the funny side.

“We copped a grilling from our own fraternity at lunch, tea and the end of the game – but you have to have thick skin, the next ball is always the most important.”

Being just the 11th to knock-up 200 first grade games in over a century is stunning enough, but the enormity of those numbers barely scratch the surface.

Tate has also weathered the heat in 119 lower grade games, and including his time in Newcastle and various representative and international matches, he estimates he has controlled 880 matches.

Put in perspective, Greg Lill tops the Sydney first grade list with 400 and Arthur Watson, who is still umpiring lower grades at 81, holds the record across all grades with over 800.

“And that’s Out.” Umpire Peter Tate NSW Premier Cricket. Supplied

Still, at a sprightly 57 and without the need for glasses, Tate gives a sense he could be marching batsmen for at least another decade.

“I was very fortunate to have outstanding mentors in my early years such as international umpires like Dick French, Rocky Harris and Darrell Hair. Now I similarly give back to the next generation.

“At this point, I have no intention of retiring.”