HORN, Merv

There are many things we can say in a tribute, including all the usual remembrances and so on. However, to be a bit different I am going to relate a particular achievement that I also did at Mum and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. It was an achievement he was rightly proud of, but not many family and friends would have much knowledge, if any, of the event.

It was the occasion of his first and only century he ever made in club cricket. It is noteworthy for a few reasons - the quality of the opposition, the circumstances of the match and that for his early career he was more a bowler than a batsman. He was also about 46 at the time, not old, but still not young in terms of a cricket career.

The match was between Brymaroo (our team) and Jondaryan at Jondaryan in about the 1978/79 season. It was effectively a top of the table clash with some very good cricketers in both teams.

They batted first and, from memory, made about 240 - 250. Between innings our captain, Robbie Peters, goes to Dad and says, "Merv, I want you to go in first wicket down." Dad was taken by surprise because he had usually been batting lower in the order around 6 - 8. He replied with something like, "OK, but don't blame me if it doesn't work and I'm out for nothing!"

The first wicket went down early and in he went. He was scratchy early, probably because he was feeling a few nerves and their opening bowlers were reasonably quick. I think he was missed in slips a few times, but then got stuck in.

I actually don't remember a lot about the innings after that (that's what happens with time and memory!), but he eventually brought up a century. We had to umpire our own matches, so on exactly 100 our captain gave Dad run out. Dad swore he wasn't out, but apparently Robbie wanted to give someone else a bit of a go because, by that stage, we had the game in the bag with about 4 wickets down and only a few runs to get.

These were strong teams. Our captain Robbie Peters is a legend of Toowoomba cricket, who played for Queensland country. As a bowler he was very quick and few batsmen got the better of him. Jondaryan had a number of quality quick bowlers, who took many wickets in the competition. These were also the days batting without helmets when bowlers didn't hesitate to bounce you without restriction.

Dad had been making useful scores, mostly down the order. He loved the cut shot and could play a straight bat. He looked stylish at the crease. I think Robbie recognized that Dad had a good technique and might be able to keep their best bowlers at bay, while others batted around him. I don't think he envisaged Dad scoring 100 and carrying our team to victory that day. What a masterstroke it was to send him in early! It was a very worthy effort and probably one of the best innings ever played for Brymaroo.

I am proud to relate Dad's achievement, particularly to family and friends who may read this and find it of interest. (Wes)

It has now been five years. Lovingly remembered and missed every day.

Mark, Shelley, Wes and families.