Team of the Quarter century
1942-1967
The Team
A quieter period in the club's history saw the elusive premiership remain out of reach, but it was by no means lacking in quality. Despite the absence of silverware, the club continued to produce outstanding cricketers who left a lasting impact.
Don Clarke, Laurie Denham and Frank Incigneri all earned representative honours for the Association, highlighting the talent within the side. The strength of this era was further recognised when five players from this period were nominated in the club's Team of the Century squad, with three ultimately earning selection in the final XII.
Players with writeups are the ones who were in the squad of 22 for team of the century (where the writeups originate from - Missing George Slocombe JNR). Players who did not make the squad will have their 1st XI stats shown. To see player 1st XI profile click on the players photo.
OPENER
No 2 - Opener
Don Clarke
OPENER
1954-1979
Don Clarke (c)
A hard hitting opening bat, Don would often take on the opening bowler from ball one by smacking him into the pines or over the old clubrooms at Tyabb Central oval. In his 24 seasons at Tyabb, Don scored over 10,000 runs at 33 per innings with 17 centuries, almost 50 times passing 50 and won 10 batting average trophies along the way. No slouch with the ball, he took nearly 200 wickets with his little skidders that knocked over even the best of bats. Don is also out most capped country week player with 6 carnival selections. He was a natural leader and captained Tyabb during many seasons holding down almost every committee position in the club from President down. A great advocate for juniors, he was instrumental in the development of some of the future senior players that followed him.

OPENER
No 2 - Opener
Don Clarke
NUMBER 3
1931-1956
Laurie Denham
Son of legendary Harry Denham, Laurie became a star player in his own right. His career began as a youngster in the early 1930’s, going right through to the mid 1950’s. He was a dashing batsman and an aggressive medium fast bowler. Laurie played over 100 games, compiling more than 3500 runs at the impressive average of 28, including 3 centuries. He won 7 batting averages and 3 bowling awards. His outstanding career was cut short due to world war 2, when he was probably at his peak. Laurie performed at the highest level, gaining country week selection on several occasions in the early fifties. His 147 out of 230 against Hastings in 1953 was than innings of the highest calibre along with his scores in one game of 98 and 96 against Army in 1951, which is the closest a player has come to getting 2 centuries in one game.

OPENER
No 2 - Opener
Don Clarke
NUMBER 5
1945 - 1967
Ron Grant
Ron Grant was a hard hitting middle order batsman who loved to take on the bowling and score runs at a rapid rat, never allowing himself to be dominated. Ron scored over 3300 runs in the 140 odd games scoring 2 centuries on the way. His innings against Heatherhill when they had arrogantly declared their innings closed with 20 minutes remaining in the game leaving Tyabb some 88 runs to get to secure an outright was memorable, as he smashed his way to 63 not out and an unlikely victory. Ron was also a handy medium paced bowler, often opening the bowling when Tyabb's mainstay of attack was its spinners. An administrator of the high quality, Ron achieved Life Membership of both his club and the association during his illustrious cricket career. Rons exploits at Tyabb CC will forever stay in folklore.

OPENER
No 2 - Opener
Don Clarke
NUMBER 9
1949 - 1954
Frank Incigneri
Tall, strong and fast best illustrates Frank Incigneri, and although only playing six seasons at Tyabb he certainly showed he was a player of extreme talent. His 150 wickets in only 44 games at just over 10 with a best of 9/24 showed his mark on the game may have been short but was most impressive. A country week player on 2 occasions, Frank was both a destroyer of opponents whether he had the ball or the bat in hand. His highest score of 63 came in in under 30 minutes. With the ball he could turn a game with his explosive fast bowling, against Balnarring in 52/53 after trailing on first innings by almost 70 runs Frank with 8/38 went right through their batting, allowing Tyabb to knock up the runs to gain outright victory. He then peeled off 38 off 2 overs to seal the match before time was almost up. Frank's son Kevin was named in Tyabb's team of the quarter century 1967 to 1992.



















