Three Newtown & Chilwell Cricket Club fathers played with their sons in one cricket match

Three fathers and their sons helping their cricket team win a thrilling encounter by just two runs has continued a fine tradition at one GCA club.

Eighty nine father and son duos have played for Newtown & Chilwell Cricket Club. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Fathers playing cricket with their sons is always a special experience.

However, three dads pulling on the whites with their offspring in the one game is something else completely.

That was the case down at St Josephs College on Saturday afternoon during a thrilling GCA1 sixth grade match which was decided by just two runs, between Newtown & Chilwell and Joeys.

For starters, Two Blues youngsters Gabe Perrin and Quinn Abram were stepping out in their senior debuts.

Fortunately, they had their fathers, Mark and Steve respectively, in the side as well.

However, in a further sign Newtown is a true family club, Lachie and Rohan Wardle were also playing their first senior game together after a few seasons apart.

“This game sort of happened a little bit by accident,” Steve said.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

“I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

Lachie and Rohan Wardle with Mark and Gabe Perrin and Quinn and Steve Abram. Picture: Newtown & Chilwell Cricket Club.

Sixth grade captain Steve, who had played his junior cricket at Leopold, had retired but came out of cricketing hibernation when his son started to show a bit of promise, and is now in his fifth season back.

According to the club’s official newsletter, there are now 89 father and son duos to have played together in the club’s history, after Saturday’s match.

“It just shows it’s a family club, that we want to see the generations progress through ... to actually produce good cricketers and good people at the club,” he said.

Batting first, the Two Blues compiled 9-126 with Lachie contributing 39 and Quinn a patient 11 at number three.

However, the team was in trouble with Joeys 7-110 in reply.

The ball was thrown to emerging leg spinner Gabe to find a circuit-breaker.

“They had us comfortably,” Steve said.

“We brought him on to give him a crack, hoping that we could get a breakthrough but not expecting too much.

“He got the ball rolling with a wicket at that point and then Mark took a couple of wickets at the end to secure it.”

Bowling Joeys out for 124, Steve would finish with 4-26 while Mark chipped in with 2-16.

Originally published as Three Newtown & Chilwell Cricket Club fathers played with their sons in one cricket match