RECORDS
In 1963 a young 12 year old boarder at Assumption Peter Ryan made 391 in a junior house game. His marathon innings stretched across five afternoons in the period between classes ending and teatime in the refectory.
Hundreds of students lined the boundary as the innings progressed. House games were a feature of college life until the late sixties. Ryan’s mammoth score I thought was a record at that level in cricket worldwide.
But recently I discovered that an English schoolboy from Clifton college, AEJ Collins hit 628 unbeaten over five afternoons way back in 1899. The young Collins was one of three brothers killed in the first world war.
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Peter Ryan had a remarkable cricket career at ACK. He was a First XI player in year 7 and captained the side in 1967-8-9. He led the side to titles in his final two years and still holds AGSV records for twice achieving the “double” of 500 runs and 50 wickets in a session.
His 188 not out versus Ivanhoe in 1968 remains on ACK Grammars record. Also, in 1968 he made a century and took all ten wickets against Penleigh and Essendon Grammar. Ryan progressed to play for Hampshire (UK) and Queensland before injury cut short a possible test career.
The 1968 Champion XI. Peter Ryan (c) is fourth from left at front. Kilmore’s Gerald Power was a remarkable kick for goal-his 210 goals and only 42 behinds testify to that. Every VFL (now AFL) team would have loved to sign him but he wasn’t interested in the big time. He told me “I want to enjoy life, raise a family and play country football”.
For the two decades beyond college days he played in the Ballarat league, Goulburn Valley, Murray Northern, Riverina, Central Murray and Mallee Leagues-kicking a hundred plus goals virtually every season.
Some of the ACK boys who topped the “ton” in a season with the First XVIII included Simon O’Donnell, Peter McCormack, Bill Brownless, Tim Powell, Shane Crawford etc. Ray Power was as good, maybe better, than any of them.
SON OF A GUN
James O’Donnell (20) has been signed on as a rookie contract with the Bulldogs. Son of Simon who played cricket for Australia and footy for St. Kilda, James is also talented at both sports. He captained Xavier College to a First XI cricket title two years ago.
James played underage for Kilmore football and cricket clubs. He attended St Patrick’s then Assumption until year 9 before transferring to Xavier. He plays premier cricket in Essendon under his brother Tom who is captain. James’ dad and uncle Michael are legends of the ACK sport. Simon’s dad Kevin was a brilliant country all-rounder who was a fighter pilot in the battle of Britain (World War 2) with the great Keith Miller.
210 GOALS
In 1982 Ray Power (pictured) kicked 210 goals for ACK First XVIII that is a record that may stand forever.
In this season Assumption played 24 games in all AGSV; Herald-Sun Shield, and tradition fixtures versus Xavier, SHC Adelaide and St Pat’s Ballarat.
Readers may wonder if those boys of 82 spent so much time training and playing footy that their studies were neglected. But no in fact several of Powers teammates across the years 1979-82 when he played 1ST XVIII and 1ST XI became doctors, lawyers, professionals and prominent in agriculture.
Ray himself has had a successful business career and is still fit and active playing golf and 2nd XI cricket in Swan Hill.
