Representative Cricket

Sutherland's involvement with the NSWJCU competitions goes right back to the start. At the inaugural meeting of the Association (16 Sept.1957) John Moodie had proposed, seconded by Sam Astle, that "a team be entered in each of the C.S. Watson age groups (under 14 and under 16)" and though that proposal was implemented and two teams entered that first season the results were not outstanding. The following year two teams were entered. One in the Watson Shield Competition and one in the Moore Shield but due to lack of players the Watson Shield team had to forfeit. The Moore Shield team had moderate success but while reasonably competitive was outclassed.

The following season preparations were better organised and three teams were entered. One in the Watson Shield, one in the Moore Shield and one in the Cawsey Shield (this was the first year of the Cawsey (under 12 age group) Shield). The Watson team was beaten by Northern Suburbs in the final, the Moore team was runner up in its division, and the Cawsey team was beaten in the final by South Sydney.

In 61/62 Sutherland won its first C.S. Watson Shield. Success was attributed in part to the initiative taken to play the team or as many of the team as was available in the SSCA Saturday afternoon competition thus giving them good match practice and experience. Credit for this was given to the Manager Kevin Killey whose idea it was to follow that path.

The team was, M.King, R.Longbottom, L. Erickson, T. Keithtley, P.Keenahan, R.Tozer, R.Bain, B.Gorman, P.Cooke, M. Walsh, P. Cawte, J.Bland.

R. (Ray) Tozer was the wicketkeeper. He subsequently went on to play Grade with St. George and eventually became a NSW State Selector.

In what can be seen as the forerunner to the commencement of the Foster Shield competition in 1965, the NSWJCU, in the 63/64 season, allowed the St. George Association to run an unofficial competition for the under 10 age group. Four associations took part, these being, St. George, Bankstown, Canterbury and, Sutherland. Sutherland won the competition being undefeated in all games. The next season saw a repeat on a larger scale with teams vying for the "Rob Allen Shield". Sutherland came second this time to St. George.

With the introduction of the Foster Shield competition Sutherland entered teams in all four competitions. This was indeed evidence of the growth in numbers and skill levels as the Boys' Competition continued to grow.