The Early Years: (1973 - 1978)

"Dear Members,

You have probably heard various rumours and remarks circulating throughout the Club in recent weeks regarding the formation of a Cricket Section within our Club.

Following the last Sports Council Meeting we are proud to announce that permission has been granted by the Board of Directors for a team to be selected from all members to participate in the coming cricket season.

The go-ahead for the purchase of a kit has also been approved and at present negotiations are being undertaken to nominate a team in the Gladesville District Cricket Association "B" Grade Competition.

As all ideas are at present in the embryonic stage it has been decided to hold a meeting on the 16/7/73 for all members interested in playing to attend in order that a Committee can be formed and ideas and suggestions be discussed.

From support already witnessed within the Club, both on behalf of Directors and members, all indications point to yet another successful sporting activity of the North Ryde R.S.L. Club."

Taken from the July 1973 edition of the North Ryde R.S.L. Journal.

From that July 16th meeting a Committee was formed with Barry Herbert being elected the clubs first President and one team was subsequently entered into the 'B' Grade competition of the Gladesville D.C.A. Players from that 1973/74 season were Eddie Kennedy (c), Tom Martin, Liam Nicholls, Barry Herbert, Ian Hamilton, John Kelly, Bob Fyfe, Bill Campbell (Jnr), John Bosward, Terry Boyd, Barry Kearny, Roger Frew and Ian Rockcliffe. The clubs first game was played on the 8th of September against J.W. Sports which resulted in North Ryde R.S.L. winning 1st innings but losing outright in the second last over of the match. The outcome of that game in some ways sums up the sides first two seasons in the sense that it was often competitive but couldn't always take advantage of its opportunities.

The 1975/76 season saw the club move to the Northern Suburbs Cricket Association and enter two teams. While on-field success for the club continued to be mixed it was at this time that the section enjoyed a considerable increase in player numbers. So much so that in 1977/78 North Ryde R.S.L. were able to enter 4 teams in the N.S.C.A. and despite that first Premiership continuing to elude the club it was fast becoming a force in the Association. Season 1977/78 also saw the club produce its first Annual Report in which the then 'A' Grade Captain Paul Webb made the following prediction:

"Looking at next season with our existing players and the form shown by some of our new cricketers, I feel we can look forward to brighter and better things next year."

How right he was.