Our Own Double Blast from the Past

Our Own Double Blast from the Past

Any club that can boast having bowlers named Frank Tyson and Jeff Thomson in its ranks is bound to be able to pack quite a punch.

But that’s exactly who Sorrento now has on its playing list and already the results are starting to show. Frank, left in photo has been with us for quite a while now and has well and truly made his mark by gaining Premier Division status on both Thursday and Saturday.

Of course, his namesake Frank “Typhoon” Tyson terrorised batsmen during his playing days for England during the 1950’s, taking 76 wickets in 17 Tests and having Don Bradman describe him as the fastest bowler he ever saw. And would you believe it that when our Frank's sister ran a check on their "Family Tree" they discovered that they are not only related to "Typhoon" but also Lord Nelson.

Then at the start of this season, who should stride through the doors of our Club? None other than a Jeffrey Robert Thomson, saddled with the same middle name and surname-spelling as our beloved hero from yesteryear, Thommo. Thommo who took 200 wickets in 51 Tests formed as lethal a fast bowling combination with Dennis Lillee as there has ever been in the 145 years Tests have been played. And now we have our own Jeff Thomson, who incidentally is only six months younger than the former tearaway Queensland quick.

Jeff, and his partner Lesley Hughes are most welcome additions to

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Sorrento, which must surely appreciate their commitment in travelling 120 kilometres each up to THREE times a week (including practice) to play for our Club. He said the “shining light” has been the revamped Reid Highway plus his desire to play at a club which had grass greens. Then Lesley’s 30 year plus friendship with our Dan Greig sealed the deal. When asked why they bypassed ten bowling clubs on their way to Sorrento Lesley wrote the delightful little song "A Club for Us" (alongside).

Jeff this season has been playing Second Division on Thursday and Saturday while Lesley is part of Sorrento’s Division 1 squad on Tuesday and backs up on Saturdays.

The pair previously played for Mundaring and live on a 60 acre property at Mt Helena where they no longer run sheep but harvest oranges, mulberries, cherries and vegetables. One of the mulberry trees is so large Jeff calls it “The Green Room” because its canopy is so vast it’s possible to comfortably accommodate a table and chairs in the shade. And the abundance of bird life on the property has a soothing effect on them both.

During his time at Mundaring, Jeff at various times was the club’s Secretary, Vice President and President. But he says it all “became too much for me and there was a shortage of volunteers.” Sorrento, by comparison, Jeff says, has a great culture, is well run and is laced with good people.