History
The Noble Park Cricket Club was founded in 1908 by Tom Price, Dick and Eddie Simpson and Harry Jones. Jones being a prominent business identity in the area.
The club’s early history is somewhat vague due to the lack of records, however it is believed that the team played in a Dandenong based competition which was a forerunner to the current Dandenong District Cricket Association.
The home ground was situated at Moodemere St where matches were played on a clay based matting wicket which was common throughout the area. An additional wicket at “Behlows Paddock", situated between Corrigan Rd and Allen St was used if the main ground was unsuitable for play. “Behlows Paddock", an area of around 6 acres was once offered to the club for a sum of 1000 pounds with repayments to be made at ten pounds per year. However due to Mr Behlow’s death the land was subdivided for residential purposes and the opportunity was lost.
A turf wicket was laid at Moodemere St in 1945 and another wicket was laid to the west of the main ground. This ground was used for junior cricket for many years before becoming a soccer ground and is now lawn bowling greens.
On field success was hard to come by with the club waiting until 1935/36 for its first premiership. However, a string of premierships in various grades in the late 50’s and early 60’s and the prospect of stronger competition saw the club move to the Federal District Cricket Association in 1963/64.
In 1968, two turf wickets were laid at Ross Reserve with the club moving its headquarters there. The turf wicket at Moodemere St was replaced with a concrete wicket and was used by the club’s juniors.
The establishment of the Noble Park Football Social Club in the late 70’s saw the re-establishment of the Turf wicket at Moodemere St and the moving of the club’s headquarters back there.
The club had strong representation in the Federal Association with 4 Noble Park officials holding the position of President of that Association. The four gentlemen being John Sykes, Robert Anderson, George Long and Ron Wright. Whilst we had involvement at Association level it was not until 1983/84 that the club won its first
1st XI premiership, under the guidance of ex- Ringwood captain Ron Tomlinson, with the club winning again the following year. A thirst for stronger competition saw the 1st and 2nd XI’s move to the VJCA in 1985/86.
Over the years the club made a number of attempts to join the VSDCA but it wasn’t until 1990/91 when Dandenong amalgamated with Waverley that we were accepted. Since being involved with the Association our 1st XI have won a group premiership and CUB Championship (2002/03), our 2nd XI has won a group premiership (1993/94) and our RM Hatch side runners up (1992/93).
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