With the end of the Second World War, ‘the
V V Association was revived at the start of the
1945-46 season. The decision to re-form the
Association, which had been in recess for almost four
years, was made at a meeting on September 18 1945.
Reuben Dransfield who had been involved with the
Association since its amalgamation with the Junior
Association in 1914 was elected President, and Frank
McMahon who had been discharged from the army
resumed duties as Secretary.
It was decided to give permission to the Maitland
Club to enter teams in the Newcastle competition and
to conduct an All-age and Junior (under 21)
competitions for the local players.
Seven teams entered the All-age competition – East
Maitland, Robins, Methodist OK, Largs, Morpeth, West
End and Beresfield- and there were seven in the Junior
competition – Robins, East Maitland, Beresfield, Lorn,
YCW Nos. 1 and 2, and Morpeth.
The All-age competition was won by Robins and the
Junior competition by East Maitland. During the season
269 players were registered in the two competitions.
Best performances in the All-age were by
V Fitzpatrick (East Maitland) with 437 runs and
W Langford (Robins) with 74 wickets at 5.93. In the
Junior competition J Rampling (YCW 2) scored 550
runs, and F O’Brien and R Bellamy (both from YCW 2)
took 89 and 79 wickets respectively.
The Maitland Club entry in the Newcastle
competition was reduced to first and second grade,
with the third grade team being withdrawn so as not to
interfere with the local competition. The club was
boosted by the discharge from the Services of a
number of players – Ken Smith, Arthur Callaway, Bert
Denny, Hugh Norrie, Norm Dolman and Eddie Hill.
The first grade finished runners-up to Lambton in
the premiership. In a fluctuating final that was played
over four days, the Maitland team was defeated by 18
runs. Highlights of the match were Jack Leacy’s 81 n.o.
on a “sticky wicket” in the first innings and Mick
Hinman’s 50 in the second innings.
Best of the Maitland batsmen were Hinman with
611 runs and J ohnston with 596. Both shared in a
number of fine opening partnerships. In one match
against Stockton at Lorn Park they figured in an
opening stand of 216 in 118 minutes, with Johnston
ending up with 131 and
Hinman 104. Hinman
also produced the best
bowling performance of
the season with 9-37
against Belmont. Ross
Macmillan headed the
district bowling
aggregate with 58
wickets.
J ohnston and
Hinman were selected
to play for Newcastle
against South Australia
on February 7 1946.
In the pre-season
period there was
another visit from
Chegwyn’s team which
played at Lorn Park on
September 22 1945 and
at Cessnock on
September 23.
Chegwyn’s team included W O’Reilly, S Barnes,
R Saggers, A Cheetham, K Grieves, L Livingstone;
V Iackson and W Walmsley. In the match at Lorn Park
Col J ohnston scored a creditable 95.
The Hunter River Umpires Association was also re-
formed during the season with Ernie Brossman as
President and Reuben Dransfielcl as Secretary
ITreasurer. However, their numbers had dwindled and
they only had about 12 members available for
appointment. During the war some of their members
had officiated in the Newcastle competitions and a few
of these opted to remain there after the war.