The Devonport Flagstaff Page 46
Blasts from the past
March 21 2014
CC Dacre remembered in clubhouse name
One of North Shore’s most famous players is C.C. (Ces) Dacre – the first New Zealander to hit a century at Lord’s - the home of English Ccricket. He hit the century in 1927 and the club has the very bat - signed by members of both teams - on display in its trophy cabinet. Dacre was a cricketing prodigy. He played for Auckland at the age of 15, and was believed to be New Zealand’s youngest ever first-class cricketer. Legend has it that when he turned up to play he had trouble getting into the team changing room, as groundsmen assumed he was a schoolboy spectator. Dacre is believed to be the only cricketer to hit the ball into the Waitemata Harbour from the number one wicket on Devonport Domain. In 2002 the North Shore Cricket clubrooms were renamed the C.C. Dacre Pavilion. The reopening was attended by Dacre’s son Paul and cousin John Dacre. The Dacre family tradition continues in Devonport. Dacre’s great-great--nephew Donald Coleman is a promising cricketer and rugby player for North Shore and Takapuna Grammar. • North Shore has had 18 players who represented New Zealand. The most notable included Dacre, Jack Cowie, Barry Sinclair, Hedley Howarth, Martin Snedden, Danny Morrison and Richard Reid. Batting history… North Shore Cricket Club manager Bruce Warner with the bat C.C. Dacre scored 100 runs with at Lord’s
One of North Shore’s best teams in recent years: the 1982-83 Premiers, winners of the Auckland championship… Back row, left to right: Ken Wallace, Michael Robertshaw, Bruce Warner. Middle row, left to right: Dennis Hunt, Martin Snedden, Ray Hunter, Hedley Howarth, Ian McAlpine, Dave Knowles. Front row, left to right: Craig Postles, Paul Kelly, Don Fletcher, John Little, John O’Connor.