Over 20 years ago three men with a passion for cricket came up with an idea to have a bit of fun on a Saturday afternoon.

The Gladstone Hotel Cricket Team was born. 

Year on year the Gladstone turned up to play, lean years were followed by Premierships and the legend of the Gladstone DUCK began to grow.

A few years ago, after success in thirds we were asked by the association to play second grade.

All of a sudden, we regained that competitive spirit and with a perfect mix of young and ageing talent we realised that we could actually play.

Each year we have been asked by the association’s committee to either affiliate or expand to have other grade teams.

We would recruit as best we could, many a great player signed up on the back of a coaster on a Friday night at the Gladdy but expansion was never on the cards.

We were just a bunch of guys from our local pub enjoying the game we love, we would head back each Saturday to the mighty Gladstone for a beer and a laugh hoping to celebrate a win.

The unthinkable happened and for the last two years the Gladstone Hotel Cricket club won both the Twenty20 and Saturday second grade competitions.

I recently relocated to the Gold Coast and am deeply saddened to hear that the boys will not get to defend their titles this year, they have been asked to play fourth grade instead as the threat to expand or affiliate became real.

Please Orange District Cricket Association, rethink this decision and let the lads play to defend their titles.

It's just not cricket and after 20 years of tradition it looks like the might Gladstone may fold.

Come on Orange cricketers voice your opinion and keep the lads in seconds.

Regards, 

Greg Goodlock

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Greg Goodlock is a former Orange resident and proud Gladstone Cricket Club member.