History

Cricket was evidently played seriously on Manaro in the Eighteen fifties, for in 1861, a record is extant of a match, played at Cooma, between Cooma and Kiandra, the latter proving victorious. Matches were hard to obtain, but in 1862 and the immediately following years, took place between Cooma, and Bombala and Delegate, as also Queanbeyan. Later, as population and settlement increased, clubs were formed, and facilities for match playing were greater. The game has retained its popularity, and in the present day clubs there are many enthusiasts.

Games played at Cooma Showground (Source CricketArchive.com)
23rd January 1923 Other matches in Australia 1922/23 Cooma v Federal Capital Territory Cricket Association


25th January 1931 Other matches in Australia 1930/31 Cooma v Federal Capital Territory Cricket Association

4th April 1933 Other matches in Australia 1932/33 Federal Capital Territory Cricket Association v Cooma

17th January 1954 Burns Cup 1953/54 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory 

28th February 1954 Burns Cup 1953/54 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory 

17th November 1957 Burns Cup 1957/58 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory

16th January 1960 Fiji in Australia 1959/60 Monaro Cricket Association v Fiji 

4th February 1964 South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 NSW Country vs South Africa

Games played at Snowy Oval

2nd January 1956Burns Cup 1955/56 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory
2nd January 1956 1955/56 Season Burns Cup Monaro District Cricket Association vs ACT 
2nd January 1956Burns Cup 1955/56 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory
2nd January 1956Burns Cup 1955/56 Monaro Cricket Association v Australian Capital Territory



Monaro Pioneers website is a terrific resource of history of sporting teams in the Monaro Region.
Below is a link to a fantastic page of photo's and text of Nimmitable Cricket Club a sample of which is copied below.
http://www.monaropioneers.com/nimmitabel/sport/cricket-club01.htm
Where The Team Played and/or Who They Played
Bredbo, Dalgety, Nimmitabel, Adaminiby, Cooma, Bungarby, Peak View, Berridale, Michelago, Moonbah, Chokola, Jillamatong, Bendoc, Delegate River, Mila, Bombala, Delegate, Bibbenluke, Jindabyne, Ando and Jerangle. During that time they played the teams from those towns as well as Cooma High School Team and The Railway Suttlers Team to name a couple.



Nimmitabel Premiership Team of 1957-1958




This team were all presented with Green Blazers of which two were on display at the 100th Nimmitabel Show. They belonged to Abbie Payten and Jim Parker. A Ball was held in honour of the Team's presentation at Nimmitabel Hall.

The Team were as follows:-



Reg Wallace (Captain)

Jim Parker

Abbie Payten

George James

Martin Gammon

Red Singleton

Wizzer West

Anthony Jardine

John Perrin

Digger Archer

Co Humphries

and some names missing



Bibbenluke 1959/1961



During the years 1959 to 1961, Nimmitabel could not get a team together due to lack of players. Three Nimmity players went on to play for Bibbenluke.

Reg Wallace played for one year, George James also played for 1 year and Jim Parker played for two years. During that time, the team won the Premiership in 1959/1960 with Black Jackets given to all players. Jim Parker was on that team and still has his Jacket.



Nimmitabel Premiers 1963/1964



1963/1964 saw the team win the B Grade Premiership. For this, all players received a 'baggy' green cap.




The Fast Bowler

A Tribute to George James

by A. V. Dooley (Vic)



He was long and tall and cagey

And walked with a measured tread.

In his hand he held the ball,

Brand new, cherry red.



He hand the ump' his battered cap

And measured out his run.

In his mind he prayed to God

And wished his old legs were young.



He slowly turned and glaring at his foe,

A good stance, all gloves and pads.

The ball he rubbed along his pants,

A deep breath and here's to you my lads.



But the batsman was quick and good

And played each ball with style and grace

And had some runs upon the board.

His eyes were keen, a smile upon his face.



The pitch was playing slow and true,

It was very hard to get a swing

Or the ball to turn or break..

And the bowler now has lost his sting.



The bowler knew this was his final chance,

For the shine from the ball was going fast.

A Yorker, that's what I want,

To give this young lad a blast.



So he changed his grip upon the ball

And trundled down his run once more.

The ball went fast and true for the block.

"He's out", he thrilled to blasting roar.



He took his cap and place it on his head,

For once more, he had turned the tide.

He'd give all he had to give and more

To help his younger side.



They went on and won the game

As he was sure of course they would

And they would win some more,

While e'er on his old legs he stood.



For cricket was in his blood

And every young man, to him,

Should play this famous game

And not play, was to him, a sin.



He listened to the local talk

And shook his greying head.

He spread his long-fingered hands

And slowly turned and said.



I've felt a thrill or two for sure,

But to me it's what I've always said,

The greatest thrill of all, is to bowl,

The Ball, brand new and cherry red.



This poem was read at George's funeral and I have been in contact with his widow, Myrtle and she is fine about it going on line. My dad, Jim told me once, George James could have bowled for Australia he was that good. Tall, thin and very athletic but he broke his leg in his late teens or early 20's so George always felt that had slowed him down. George was one of the players I mentioned as playing for Nimmitabel the longest, I think he started in the 40's either before or after the war as I know he was a Returned Serviceman and he played until his death in the 70's.