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Pre-History Notes

During the period 1910-1930, a team known as Centre Road Methodists played on a sem regular basis but it is assumed that this team was an ad-hoc arrangement for those who wished to play very much on a social basis. As such, there are

no details of those who represented Centre Road Methodists or any other record of their performance suffice to say that there is historical evidence that they did exist.

 

The major cricket bodies covering the Bentleigh area at the time were the Caulfield Moorabbin Cricket Association and the Brighton District Cricket Association. A South Suburban Churches Association and a Cheltenham Churches Group also played at the time, regrettably they did not receive a great deal of press coverage and there is minimal detail on those clubs who played in their competition.

A Club is Born

The Moorabbin and District Cricket Association was formed in 1930/31, but Centre Road Methodists were not participants at that time. Early participants included clubs named after local organizations such as Bentleigh A.N.A, Bentleigh ALP, Bentleigh PAFS, and Bentleigh GUOOF. The competition was geographically centered around Bentleigh.

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Centre Road Methodists, a group of social cricketers from the Bentleigh Methodist church, eventually formed their own club and joined the competition in 1932/33 with Percy Read as their first captain. Despite a tough start, the club secured four wins from twelve matches, with standout performances from Fred Tippett and Percy Read.

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In their second season, the club made its first finals appearance, and by their third season, they finished third on the ladder with significant contributions from Fred Tippett, who won the Association's batting trophy. Despite this early success, the club did not field a team in the 1935/36 and 1936/37 seasons.

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The club reformed in 1937/38 as the Order of the Sons of Temperance Cricket Club, reflecting its players' commitment to Methodist values of abstinence. The club expanded by adding an Under 15 team, which immediately won their competition. In 1938/39, the senior team faced relegation but also made their first grand final appearance, narrowly losing to Free Gardeners, while the Under 15 team finished third.

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The 1939/40 season saw the Order win their first senior premiership in B grade, with Ray Longmuir making a notable debut. The club did not field any teams in 1940/41 due to enlistments and members being engaged in active service during World War II.

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Club Chronology

Our club recently celebrated its 90th year of competitive cricket, while several clubs share Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club's long history in Melbournes south-east, and a few even surpass it, few can match our club's contributions to the Moorabbin Cricket Association, now the South Eastern Cricket Association over the past ninety seasons.


Success can be measured by premierships won and finals series participated in, but it's the intangible contributions to the greater good that truly define a club's success. In this regard, Bentleigh Uniting stands head and shoulders above our fellow clubs in the City of Moorabbin Cricket Association.

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Identifying our most successful period in the C.M.C.A is challenging, former club president John Collinson highlighted two highly productive periods: 1959/60 to 1963/64, when the club won 9 premierships out of a possible 24, and 1951/52 to 1952/53, when we clinched consecutive "A" Grade flags. However, defining success depends on one's perspective. Is a club successful because of numerous premierships, or because it provides quality opportunities for youth to participate in cricket? Either way, Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club can be deemed successful by both measures.

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Our club's history is marked by periods of excellence in the upper echelons of the competition, as well as times with less success. Throughout, we have remained dedicated to the young people of the Bentleigh/East Bentleigh area, providing a focal point for those seeking a sporting and social outlet during the summer season.​

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One of Bentleigh Uniting Club's most endearing qualities is our commitment to identifying, developing, and promoting local talent. An objective assessment of our premiership elevens reveals that the majority of those who have tasted senior premiership success came through our junior cricket elevens.

Although the club has rarely paid players or individuals to enhance the playing group, when it has occurred, it followed rigorous debate about the appropriateness and overall benefit to all club levels. Historical records show that this has been a rare practice.

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The club's history is filled with names synonymous with local cricket: Longmuir, MacPherson, Tidball, Read, Manakis, Lilley, Milner, Surridge, Klippel, Marriott, Parow, and many more. While it would be inappropriate to single out any player as the greatest in the club’s history, there is no doubt about the identity of our greatest administrator: Mr. Ray Longmuir. Ray's contributions to the club and the C.M.C.A are well-documented, and no history of Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club would be complete without recognizing his 40 seasons as a player and administrator.

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Ray Longmuir

Longmuir Shield Legends

1932-1942

After a recess of only one season, and at a time when Australians were very much focused on the geopolitical and military issues of the day, the adherents of the Bentleigh Methodist Church once again took up their bats and balls on the fields of local conflicts. To accompany the new season, the club had its third and, to date, longest-lasting change of name when it adopted the name by which it is best known, revered, and to a point, feared: Bentleigh Methodist Cricket Club. The team was led by Len Marriott and enjoyed only moderate success, finishing the season in fourth position on the ladder.

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Australian involvement in the Second World War decimated the playing ranks of the Bentleigh and District Cricket Association, and in the seasons 1942-43 to 1944-45 inclusive, the competition was comprised of only eight teams, four each in the A and B Grades of the competition's two-grade structure. Bentleigh Methodists, like many other teams in Melbourne at the time, went into recess for the duration of the war.

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Upon resumption in the competition, the club found itself at its new home ground, McKinnon Reserve No.4, having previously played at a ground in Seaview Avenue, Bentleigh, in its formative years. Success proved elusive; however, the club finished a creditable fifth in its first year back in B Grade. Promoted to A Grade for the 1946/47 season, Bentleigh Meths struggled and were demoted once again to the B Grade. Indicative of the club's mediocre performance was the effort of N. Barry, winning the club's aggregate batting with 146 runs and its bowling with a mere 21 wickets.

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​For the first time in its history, Bentleigh Meths was able to field two senior teams in the competition, which in the 1947/48 season changed its name from Bentleigh and District Cricket Association to its current moniker of the City of Moorabbin Cricket Association. The elevens were fielded in the B and C Grades of the competition. In a thrilling finale, the last Bentleigh Meths batsman was bowled with the scores level, and the premiership was shared between the two sides, the only time that this has occurred in the history of the competition. Veteran skipper George Marriott and his brother-in-law Ray Longmuir led the way with 4 wickets each. For George, it was a fitting end to a season where he had led the club from the front with 45 wickets (including 11 in one match against Glen Huntly IOR), complementing Arthur Greaves' 345 runs.​​

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Bentleigh Meths reaffirmed their growing stature in the developing competition with a formidable follow-up effort to their 1947/48 season. Firstly, the club added a junior eleven (Under 14s) to the two senior teams, establishing once again its strong links with junior development of cricketers. Like the arrival of Ray Longmuir some 10 seasons previously, the club was fortunate to secure the services of a young Bob Tidball, a name that was to remain synonymous with the Bentleigh Meths name for the next thirty seasons.

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Back row: George Daly Jnr, Ray Longmuir, Les Johnson, Colin Congress, Keith Day, Bruce McGeachin (12th man), Alf Hunt (Snr. Vice. President), Wally Wright (scorer). Front Row: Bob Kippel, Evan Stafford, George Marriott (Captain), Bob Tidball, Ron Jones.

Absent: Arthur Greaves

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Bob Tidball's impact was immediate, playing in the Under 14 premiership team that defeated the highly fancied Moorabbin State School team by nine wickets in the final. The A and C Grade teams were both finalists in what was the club's most competitive season to date; however, both were fairly well outclassed in their respective finals, the Firsts by Bentleigh Footballers and the Seconds by arch-rivals, Ormond Presbyterians.

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The 1949/50 season underlined the consistency in performance that was rapidly becoming a hallmark of the Bentleigh Meths. All sides were highly competitive, and each team finished the season in third position. To underline the quality of players now representing the Meths, three players—George Marriott, Bob Klippel, and Ray Longmuir—were selected to represent the CMCA eleven. Arthur Greaves produced one of the club's best-ever bowling efforts, snaring 10/9 (in two innings) in the match against Bentleigh Baptists in C Grade.

 

The excellence of the Bentleigh Methodists was reaffirmed at the turn of the 1950s with a succession of outstanding seasons, commencing in 1950/51. The Under 16 team won the club's first premiership at this level, Bob Tidball prominent once again with 54 wickets at an amazing average of 4.6. The Second Eleven triumphed, crushing Bentleigh in the final to win by 10 wickets under the captaincy of Arthur Greaves. Alby Broman, George Marriott, Ray Longmuir, and Len Marks each represented the club.

The Teams & Grading

1942-1952

The CMCA Firsts once again fell at the last hurdle, losing by 59 runs in a hard-fought match against Bentleigh ANA. After a couple of frustrating seasons of knocking on the door, the First Eleven finally broke through to record the club's first senior premiership in 1951/52. After a narrow win in the semi-final over West Bentleigh by 11 runs, the Firsts lost on the first innings of the final to Bentleigh ANA. However, they rallied in the second innings, destroying Bentleigh ANA for 61 to win by a mere 18 runs. George Marriott and Bob Tidball each took 5 wickets, leading the team to a seemingly impossible victory against the powerful Bentleigh ANA combination.

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The season proved to be a stellar one for Bob Tidball, who won the A Grade competition bowling, the Most Promising Junior Player, and the U18 year's trophy. The Seconds and Under 15's each made the finals, marking five consecutive seasons in which all of the club's teams reached the finals.

1952-1962

The 1955/56 season saw further expansion for Bentleigh Methodists with the addition of a second Under 16 team. The Under 16 Gold team won its final, with Murray Smith taking 11 wickets. Under the captaincy of Noel MacPherson for the first time, the Firsts succumbed to Ormond Methodists in the final, losing by 80 runs in the second innings. The team's quality was evident, with six players selected for the CMCA representative side, led once again by Bob Klippel.

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In 1956/57, the Firsts made the final for the third consecutive year. Despite trailing by 7 runs on the first innings to East Bentleigh, they turned it around to win by five wickets in the second innings, securing a thrilling victory. Noel MacPherson had an extraordinary season, taking 80 wickets and scoring 753 runs in the premier grade, winning the CMCA's Batting average, aggregate runs, and aggregate wickets. The victory was a team effort, with contributions from Bob Tidball, Keith Myers, Keith Day, and Dennis Read. The Under 16 eleven also won their second successive premiership, with Keith Stevenson and Ralph Dellora (who took 100 wickets for the season in junior and senior ranks) playing prominent roles.

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The 1957/58 season was challenging for Bentleigh Meths, with the Firsts eliminated in the semi-finals, finishing fourth. Despite the Second Eleven leading on the first innings of the final by 29 runs, Bentleigh Presbyterians proved too strong, winning by 9 wickets in the second innings. This season saw the addition of a Third Eleven and the dropping of the second Under 16 team.

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Ian Longmuir made his debut in 1958/59, with the club once again reaching the A Grade final but losing to Bentleigh ANA by 38 runs. The Thirds, led by George Daly Junior, won their first-ever premiership in D Grade with a thrilling 3-wicket win over Bentleigh ANA. Ray Longmuir was made a life member in 1959 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the club.

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Ray Longmuir stepped down from the premier team, leading the Second Eleven to three consecutive B Grade premierships. In 1959/60, Ray led a powerful team including Keith Stevenson, Keith Day, Barry Coe, and Bob Butters to a 9-wicket win over Hampton Central. The A Grade Eleven also triumphed, with Bob Tidball's 7-wicket haul and hitting the winning runs being key factors in the win. The club's consistent performances on the field placed it among the top echelons of CMCA clubs. George Marriott retired after 26 seasons, 204 games, 4316 runs, and 525 wickets, marking a truly great figure in the club's history.

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In the 1960/61 season, the club entered five teams for the first time, comprising three senior elevens and two Under 16 teams. The Second Eleven and the Under 16 A team both achieved victories, with the Seconds having a comfortable 9-wicket win and the Under 16s overcoming a first innings deficit of 81 runs to steamroll Mackie by 54 runs. The Firsts rebounded in 1961/62 to win the A Grade premiership in a thriller against Brighton Union, despite trailing by 10 runs on the first innings. Tony Beer and Noel MacPherson combined to roll Union for 57 runs, securing the win. The B Grade team achieved a hat-trick of wins with a 3-run victory over Hampton Methodists. Greg Parke, who later played VFL football, scored a club record of 1,248 runs in a sensational effort.

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Although the First Eleven reached fourth spot, the Second Eleven's amazing run of success ended in 1962/63, being outclassed by Virginia Park in the B Grade final. The only flag success was the Under 16 A Grade's thrilling 2-wicket win, with future club stalwarts like John and Col Lilley, Ian Longmuir, Laurie Stamp, Ross Haw, and Bruce Aitken emerging.

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Noel MacPherson resumed the club captaincy in 1963/64, the last year this elite group of players would taste premiership success in the top two grades. Playing against favorites Bentleigh Presbyterians in the final, Bentleigh Meths secured an improbable outright victory by 4 wickets. The Second Eleven won their fourth premiership in five seasons, accounting for Hampton Church of Christ by 87 runs, with Ian Longmuir taking 5/11 in the final. Bob Tidball was awarded Life Membership for his wonderful service to the club. The B Grade team faced travel challenges, having to play home games at Elsternwick Park No. 1.

1962-72

Noel MacPherson demonstrated he had lost none of his prowess by snaring the competition's B Grade average with an incredible 3.7, including a phenomenal 16/60 against Bentleigh Church of Christ, highlighted by a second innings haul of 10/25.
 

The 1970/71 season saw the club return to a five-team structure, with the Firsts and Under 14 elevens finishing as runners-up in their respective grades. Ian Longmuir solidified his status as a champion all-rounder by winning the CMCA average for the third time in four years, scoring 520 runs and taking 62 wickets. His exceptional performance earned him the title of Life Member of the club.
 

After a four-year hiatus from premiership success, the club struck gold with an E Grade and Under 16 C Grade premiership. An eclectic mix of Rohan Gulasekharam, Billy Lloyd, Norm Amel, Alan Wolff, and others recovered from 6/88 on the first day to defeat Bentleigh ANA by 100 runs. The Under 16 C Grade team, led by Brad Green, secured a 23-run victory in a low-scoring final against McKinnon. Mark Parow showed his potential by winning the Under 14 bowling with an average of 3.9. This season also marked the end of Noel MacPherson's 15-year tenure as First Eleven skipper, with Keith Stevenson taking over.
 

Despite the success of five players being selected for the CMCA representative side, the club did not feature in any finals in 1963/64. This season was marked by the untimely passing of Wally Wright, a long-time scorer for the club. The CMCA recognized Wally's immense contribution by dedicating the Under 16 C Grade shield in his name.
 

The 1964/65 season was pivotal as it marked the first time the club played its home matches at Centenary Park. While the club didn't win any premierships, it had developed a consistent player base and remained competitive, with the First Eleven making the finals. The Third Eleven brought premiership success back to Centenary Park with a convincing win over Brighton East, despite trailing by 38 runs on the first innings.

John Paul and his family donated a perpetual trophy in honor of Wally Wright to be awarded to the best team player in the club's junior elevens. John Paul fittingly won the CMCA's aggregate wickets trophy with 76 senior wickets.
 

The 1966/67 season saw a return to previous glories, with the A Grade team finishing as runners-up to West Bentleigh and the B Grade team winning by 150 runs over Mackie. The B Grade team's effort was particularly notable as they went through the entire season undefeated, with veteran Bob Tidball taking 11 wickets in the final. Ian Longmuir's outstanding ability was recognized beyond the CMCA as he was selected for the Victorian Under 21 team that played in Queensland. Ross Haw showcased his talent by scoring a century in Under 16 A Grade in the morning and another in the First Eleven the same day.
 

By the following season, the club secured Centenary Park No. 2 as a home ground for its Third Eleven. Ian Longmuir's exceptional form continued as he collected 56 wickets at 7.2 and scored 385 runs in a terrific personal season.
 

As the 1960s ended, it became clear that while the club remained competitive, it could no longer dominate the higher grades. This was evidenced by the fact that, for the first time since 1945/46, neither the First nor Second Elevens competed in the finals. The club's declining numbers were also reflected at the junior level, as it didn't field an Under 16 team for the first time in sixteen years. Despite these challenges, the club remained the envy of most in the association, with captains like Noel MacPherson, Bob Tidball, and Ray Longmuir leading its senior elevens.
 

The last season of the 1960s followed a familiar pattern for the Meths, with three of the four teams reaching the finals but none achieving ultimate success. The baton of the best player at Bentleigh Methodists was formally passed from Noel MacPherson to Ian Longmuir, who won the CMCA bowling average.

1972-82

Despite some success at the start of the new decade, Bentleigh Methodists was clearly in need of rejuvenation by the end of the 1970s. In the ten seasons following the dual successes of 1971/72, the club only won one premiership, although it was in A Grade, earning the moniker "Gold in the Wilderness."

The decade saw the poorest performance standards ever recorded by Bentleigh Meths, both at senior and junior levels. Only two senior teams made the finals, a stark contrast to the club's historic success. The 1972/73 season saw a junior flag slip away when top players Mark Parow and Mark Gilder were unavailable, leading to a tense final loss to Moorabbin by three wickets. This season also marked the retirement of Noel MacPherson, who, after 21 seasons, had amassed 7,848 runs and 846 wickets. Noel's remarkable career placed him among the club's greatest all-rounders, alongside Ian Longmuir.

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The 1972/73 season also saw the opening of the pavilion at Centenary Park, providing the club with much-needed facilities. In 1973/74, the Under 16 C Grade team won a premiership, avenging a previous loss to Moorabbin. Super coaches John and Col Lilley led the team, with standout performances from Mark Parow (49 wickets) and 'Val' Muldoon (306 runs).

​By 1974/75, hopes were pinned on Mark Parow and Ian Longmuir. Despite Longmuir's 532 runs and 46 wickets, the Firsts finished fourth. Parow's 320 runs and 62 wickets earned him the CMCA junior trophy, though his Under 16 B Grade team finished runners-up. The Under 14 B Grade team, led by 'Percy' Aoun, also finished runners-up, losing to West Bentleigh.

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In 1975/76, Ian Longmuir took over as Firsts captain, leading the team to third place. John Lilley's standout bowling, including a 10-wicket innings against ESBC, was a highlight. The Third Eleven, under Alan Wolff, also finished third, but the Seconds, having been relegated the previous season, struggled.

The 1976/77 season saw Ian Longmuir and John Lilley lead the Firsts to an A Grade premiership, ending a 12-season drought. Longmuir's 146 and contributions from Lee Muldoon and Mike Thiedeman helped secure a win over Bailey Park. However, the Seconds continued to struggle, winning only one match and being relegated again.

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Despite some success at the start of the new decade, Bentleigh Methodists was clearly in need of rejuvenation by the end of the 1970s. In the ten seasons following the dual successes of 1971/72, the club only won one premiership, although it was in A Grade, earning the moniker "Gold in the Wilderness."

The decade saw the poorest performance standards ever recorded by Bentleigh Meths, both at senior and junior levels. Only two senior teams made the finals, a stark contrast to the club's historic success. The 1972/73 season saw a junior flag slip away when top players Mark Parow and Mark Gilder were unavailable, leading to a tense final loss to Moorabbin by three wickets. This season also marked the retirement of Noel MacPherson, who, after 21 seasons, had amassed 7,848 runs and 846 wickets. Noel's remarkable career placed him among the club's greatest all-rounders, alongside Ian Longmuir.

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The 1972/73 season also saw the opening of the pavilion at Centenary Park, providing the club with much-needed facilities. In 1973/74, the Under 16 C Grade team won a premiership, avenging a previous loss to Moorabbin. Super coaches John and Col Lilley led the team, with standout performances from Mark Parow (49 wickets) and 'Val' Muldoon (306 runs).

​By 1974/75, hopes were pinned on Mark Parow and Ian Longmuir. Despite Longmuir's 532 runs and 46 wickets, the Firsts finished fourth. Parow's 320 runs and 62 wickets earned him the CMCA junior trophy, though his Under 16 B Grade team finished runners-up. The Under 14 B Grade team, led by 'Percy' Aoun, also finished runners-up, losing to West Bentleigh.

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1982-1992

The appointment of Mark Parow as First Eleven captain and the club's return to Centenary Park revitalized Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club, providing a renewed sense of purpose. Although the Firsts did not reach a final during Mark's four-year tenure, his leadership set a foundation for future success. The Firsts finished fourth in one season, and the Seconds, led by Rohan Gulasekharam, won the C Grade final, with Peter Hand scoring a match-winning 92 not out. The Twilight Team also secured a premiership, marking multiple successes for the club for the first time in many seasons.
 

The club expanded to five senior teams for the first time ever, thanks to an amalgamation with Ormond Church of Christ. Despite the Firsts missing the finals and the Seconds finishing last in B Grade, Rohan's leadership led to a second successive premiership in E Grade, and the Twilight team won back-to-back titles. The club's Best Team Player award was renamed the A.R. Longmuir Best Team Player Award in recognition of Ray Longmuir's significant contributions, who was also honored as the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" by the City of Moorabbin.
 

The 1984/85 season saw the club field three junior elevens and five senior teams, but only the Under-14 C Grade and J Grade teams reached the finals, both losing comprehensively. Ray Longmuir's immense contribution to local cricket was further recognized when the CMCA named the A Grade competition's shield the Longmuir Shield. Sadly, Ray passed away on March 8th, 1985, leaving a profound impact on the cricket community.
 

Following Ray's death, the club struggled, fielding one less senior eleven in 1985/86, with only the Under-14 B Grade team achieving success by defending 88 runs to bowl out the undefeated ESBC for 72. Peter Milner replaced Mark Parow as First Eleven captain, but the number of senior teams dropped from four to three. The Under-12 team made the finals but lost by 67 runs. The Firsts won three games under Milner but were relegated to the second-highest grade for the first time in nearly 40 years.
 

Despite predictions of a bleak future, the club expanded, adding a fourth senior eleven and a fourth junior eleven. Inspired leadership from Peter Milner (Firsts), Ian Longmuir (Seconds), and Ray Jowett (Thirds) led to a resurgence. Six teams made the finals, with the G Grade team winning their final. Phil Webster's century in the G Grade final was a standout performance.
 

For the first time, all five senior teams made the finals. The Firsts, led by Milner, crushed Mackie, with Milner scoring 156 runs and taking 4 wickets. The Seconds, however, collapsed in the second innings, and the Thirds won back-to-back flags with a dominant victory over Caulfield Park.
 

In 1989/90, the Firsts made the Longmuir Shield finals but finished fourth. The Seconds, Thirds, Fourths, and Fifths all finished in fifth place. The new decade brought continued success, with the Firsts finishing third, and the Fourths and Fifths both finishing fourth. The Thirds secured another premiership with a narrow four-run victory over East St Kilda, and the Under-12 C Grade team won the club's first premiership at that level with a crushing 244-run victory over Carnegie.
 

In 1991/92, the club expanded to ten teams, with the addition of a sixth senior team and a second Under-14 team. Seven teams reached the finals, with the I Grade winning the club's first flag at that level. Despite not winning the D or G Grade flags, the enthusiasm and competitive spirit of the Bentleigh Uniting players remained unmatched.

1992-2002

Peter Milner stepped down after six seasons, during which he restored Bentleigh Uniting's reputation in the CMCA. John Agar succeeded him. The club fielded ten teams, with six reaching the finals. Both the Langmuir Shield and I Grade teams made it to their respective finals but were outplayed. The suspension of Chris Manakis after the Langmuir Shield semi-final arguably cost the club the title against Brighton Union. However, the Under-14 B Grade, coached by Mick Milner, won their second flag in three seasons by defeating South Melbourne Districts.
 

For the first time, Bentleigh Uniting fielded eleven teams (six senior and five junior). John Agar was replaced by Craig Hitchcock as First XI captain, and a record seven teams made the finals. The C Grade and D Grade teams won premierships, while the Under-14 B and I Grade teams were runners-up. The C Grade team exemplified the club's never-say-die spirit by overcoming an 85-run first innings deficit to beat Omega by 127 runs, with Mick Milner taking 6/24 in the second innings. The Thirds also showed resilience, recovering from 5/38 to score 245, led by Terry Balderanos' brilliant 136.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A highlight of the season was a testimonial dinner for Ian Longmuir, celebrating his 1,000th wicket and 10,000th run for the club. The event included a Legends game featuring Ian's old teammates and adversaries.

In the 1994/95 season, the club fielded seven senior elevens. However, finding grounds for the growing number of teams was challenging, with games played at various locations including Kingston Heath, Elsternwick Park, Beaumaris Primary School, and Caulfield Park. Despite this, the club's dominance was evident as eight of the eleven teams made the finals. The Firsts won the Langmuir Shield, the club's first CMCA premier grade flag since 1976/77, with Chris Manakis' century being pivotal. The I Grade also won their final by 151 runs. However, the B Grade, K Grade, and F Grade teams lost their finals.
 

In 1995/96, the addition of a second Under-16 eleven increased the number of teams to twelve. The Langmuir Shield team defended their title with an undefeated season, led by Craig Hitchcock, who earned Man of the Match honors in the final. The club's Under-16 C team also won their premiership, contributing to Bentleigh Uniting winning the CMCA Club Champions trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

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Following a period of remarkable success, Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club experienced a decline. In 1996/97, the number of senior teams was reduced from seven to six, and only three of the club's eleven teams made the finals. However, the club rationalized its ground situation, enabling senior teams not based at Centenary Park to play together at Caulfield Park. This was largely thanks to Phil Cox, an exceptional club administrator whose tenure as Secretary was marked by visionary decisions.

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Despite a challenging year, there were two standout personal achievements. Mal Brown became the highest-scoring wicketkeeper-batsman in the club's history by surpassing 4,000 runs, and Rohan Thiedeman, son of former A Grade premiership player Mike, averaged 197 in Under-12 A Grade, dominating the Association batting competition.

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Chris Manakis took over from Craig Hitchcock as First XI captain in 1997/98, but the club's only senior premiership that season came from Terry Balderanos in E Grade. This team demonstrated great resolve, winning their semi-final by 1 run and defeating Omega by 163 runs in the final, with Sean Nolan taking an astonishing 9/27.

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Back row: M. Brown, J. Guttman, A. Thomson (12th man), S. Surridge, P. Milner, P. Manakis, N.Timms Front
row: F. Giulliano, D. Baynes. C. Manakis, C. Hitclhcock (Captain), G. Brisbane, J. Collinson (President)

The Under-14 B Grade team's premiership win from fourth position was equally impressive. After winning only six games to qualify for the finals, they excelled in the finals, eventually securing the flag by 65 runs over South Melbourne District. Brendan McGuinness averaged 146.5 to win the Under-14 B Batting trophy, Ian Longmuir passed 12,000 career runs, and the club won the CMCA Club Champion trophy for the fifth time in six years, an unprecedented achievement. 

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Pictured: Chris and Peter Manakis

The Under-14 B Grade team's premiership win from fourth position was equally impressive. After winning only six games to qualify for the finals, they excelled in the finals, eventually securing the flag by 65 runs over South Melbourne District. Brendan McGuinness averaged 146.5 to win the Under-14 B Batting trophy, Ian Longmuir passed 12,000 career runs, and the club won the CMCA Club Champion trophy for the fifth time in six years, an unprecedented achievement.

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In 1998/99, the club reaffirmed its commitment to promoting youth cricket by fielding six junior teams. The number of senior teams was reduced to five. The First XI narrowly missed the finals, while the Seconds and Fourths finished fourth.

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Under-12 teams made the finals, with all three finishing in second position. Peter Manakis succeeded his brother Chris as Firsts captain in a challenging year for the First eleven, who ended with only two wins and a draw. Despite four other teams making the finals, only the Under-12A team, coached by Greg Brisbane, won a premiership, marking the first time a Bentleigh Uniting junior team won an Under-12A premiership without a loss all season.
 

The club added a one-day side to its senior ranks, now fielding six senior teams. Ian Longmuir played his 500th game, continuing to set records. Bentleigh Uniting's resilience was evident as a club record of seven teams contested the finals, with the Thirds under Louis Kalisperis and the Under-12A team, again coached by Greg Brisbane, winning premierships. The E Grade premiership was a highlight, though the club missed out on a Longmuir Shield flag to rivals Omega. Peter Milner and Chris Manakis became the third and fourth players in club history to exceed 6,000 runs.
 

In 2001/02, the club's One Day Grade team won their first premiership, catering to those unable to commit to traditional two-day cricket. Bentleigh Uniting, celebrating 70 years of history, has grown from a single Methodist Church team to a significant force in one of Melbourne's largest non-turf local cricket associations. The club has faced many challenges but has emerged stronger, making substantial contributions to the City of Moorabbin Cricket Association. Their legacy is one of dignity, class, and a deep sense of history.

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