Luke Davis breaks father, Terry’s, long-time St Bernard’s First XI games record

The St Bernard’s honour boards are littered with the Davis name. On Saturday, Luke Davis breaks his father, Terry’s, long-standing First XI games record.

St Bernard's greats Chris, Terry and Luke Davis.

The baton is being passed.

On Saturday, Luke Davis will break his father Terry’s St Bernard’s First XI games record.

The Snowdogs honour boards are littered with the Davis name as first Terry and then sons Chris and Luke made legendary careers.

Luke will run out for the 247th time when St Bernard’s hosts Ivanhoe at Murphy Oval in the final game of the VSDCA North-East home-and-away season.

He’s grown up at the club, having watched his father from six years old.

St Bernard's greats Chris, Terry and Luke Davis.

“It’s something I hadn’t really thought of but it’s an honour to break dad’s record in the Ones,” Luke said.

“There’s a few records within the family, so it’s good to keep it here.

“It shows the family history, we’ve been down here since we were young and we don’t know anything else really.

“I remember being a little fella and watching dad train, coming down Tuesdays and Thursdays and chasing balls that got hit out of the nets, and then watching him on Saturdays.

“It’s been a good culture and environment ever since we’ve grown up and hopefully we can do the same for others that come into the club.”

While he breaks the First XI record this weekend, he sits third all-time after playing his 300th total game last season.

He’s closing in on Snowdogs record holder Anthony Jordan, currently on 337, while Jason Bourke is second on 327.

The First XI games record will add to the First XI wickets record, which Davis broke earlier this season, surpassing Chris Osborne’s mark and he now sits on 397 and within sight of the magical 400.

However, he’s still chasing older brother Chris, who holds the club’s all-time wicket-taking record, currently sitting on 565 scalps with Luke not far behind on 506.

Chris, who is three games away from 300 appearances himself, joked the record one of the reasons he’s still going around in the Second XI.

St Bernard's Luke Davis will break the club’s First XI games record. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s one thing I’ve got over him at the moment, so I’ll have to keep pushing on,” Chris said.

“The body is just holding together, there’s a lot of pain-killers and a lot of physio to get out there each weekend but I love it.

“From growing up running around here and watching dad play and then to play a lot of cricket together and win our only senior premiership together is really special.

“It’s a testament to his durability and the way he looks after himself and still playing at a high level.”

Chris has 17 wickets in 14 Second XI matches this season, leading the club.

Unfortunately for Terry, it will be the second record he’s lost this season after Chris Spinella broke his First XI runs record of 5442.

Of his 268 total games, 246 came in the First XI, scoring 6040 runs overall – third most in club history.

Terry said it would be a proud moment on Saturday but couldn’t help having a cheeky dig at his boys.

“Certainly (very proud), you’ve got to play for a long time,” Terry said.

“Of course, they play more games these days then what I did and they’ve got covered wickets.

“I was saying to one of the guys, some years we only played seven or eight games and these guys play 14 or 15 a season, but you’ve still got to play a lot of cricket to play 250 games.

“It’s a great effort and I was a batsman, whereas they’re both bowlers.”

Entering the final round, St Bernard’s sits third on the North-East ladder with a home final up for grabs.

The club has fallen at the preliminary final hurdle in each of the past three seasons and is looking to break a 16-year drought dating back to the club’s days in the VTCA.

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Chris said it was a major reason he was still playing in the Ones.

“The last few years, I’ve said to my wife this will be the last year in the Ones but we keep getting close and that burns and makes you hungry to go around again,” he said.

“It’s probably been three years in a row now, so as long as I’m performing and my body is holding up I’ll keep playing.

“The Ones days are getting towards the end but I’m still driven by success and want to take that next step and then I can step back and hopefully play a few more years with Chris.”