Matt Pinniger on his way to a century in the 2013-14 1st XI Grand Final
History of the Bendigo United Cricket Club
The Bendigo United Cricket Club is considered the second oldest cricket club in Victoria, after the Melbourne Cricket Club. Originating on the Gold Fields of Central Victoria in 1853 and initially known as the ‘District Club’, it was not until 1861 when the Club was in difficulties that a meeting was held at the Criterion Hotel, a chairman, Mr Pitman, elected, and a committee formed to collect subscriptions "in furtherance of the Bendigo United Cricket Club". An application to the government for a grant of 6 acres of land at ‘Back Creek’ was also made and subsequently granted. This reserve is still the home of Bendigo United, and is now known as ‘Harry Trott Oval’.
According to the minutes of the Club, in 1861 a two rail fence was erected around the ground, tree stumps extracted, the filling up of holes and a small watercourse, the leveling of the area and the sowing of grass seed and turfing of a thirty yard square in the centre of the ground were completed. In 1864 reference is made to "a very handsome pavilion" being erected at a cost of 142 pounds 9 shillings.
In 1861/62 a BUCC twenty-two played an English Eleven at ‘Back Creek’ (English eleven 246, BUCC twenty-two 81 and 102), and a BUCC eighteen played a Victorian eleven (Victorian eleven 88 and 73, BUCC eighteen 88 and 51). These were the first of many matches against English and Australian Elevens, Victorian and other State teams.
One of the founders of the Club was The Hon. Angus Mackay, one of Bendigo’s best known citizens, a distinguished Victorian statesman and proprietor of the Bendigo Advertiser.
His son George Mackay had a long and illustrious career with BUCC. He made a total of 13,216 runs, including 10 centuries and took 1,062 wickets, which included a career high score of 189 runs in the Clubs record 6/605 in 1892 against Harcourt at Back Creek. His brother Angus also made his mark on BUCC scoring 128 in the same match. George Mackay played 6 matches for Victoria as a batsman.
Along with George Mackay, Mr. G. Freeman was also a prolific run scorer for BUCC making 10,066 runs, which included 21 centuries.
Mr William Bruce gave exceptional and unequalled service to the Club. He is recorded as a player in 1861 representing the Club as a wicketkeeper/batsman against both the English Eleven and Victorian Eleven. His playing record continued until 1872 when he was elected President of the Club. He served at least 38 years as president (records between 1912 and late 1920’s were destroyed in a fire) and gave Bendigo United in excess of 50 years service. He died in Bendigo in 1916 aged 82 years.
According to the minutes of the Club, in 1861 a two rail fence was erected around the ground, tree stumps extracted, the filling up of holes and a small watercourse, the leveling of the area and the sowing of grass seed and turfing of a thirty yard square in the centre of the ground were completed. In 1864 reference is made to "a very handsome pavilion" being erected at a cost of 142 pounds 9 shillings.
In 1861/62 a BUCC twenty-two played an English Eleven at ‘Back Creek’ (English eleven 246, BUCC twenty-two 81 and 102), and a BUCC eighteen played a Victorian eleven (Victorian eleven 88 and 73, BUCC eighteen 88 and 51). These were the first of many matches against English and Australian Elevens, Victorian and other State teams.
One of the founders of the Club was The Hon. Angus Mackay, one of Bendigo’s best known citizens, a distinguished Victorian statesman and proprietor of the Bendigo Advertiser.
His son George Mackay had a long and illustrious career with BUCC. He made a total of 13,216 runs, including 10 centuries and took 1,062 wickets, which included a career high score of 189 runs in the Clubs record 6/605 in 1892 against Harcourt at Back Creek. His brother Angus also made his mark on BUCC scoring 128 in the same match. George Mackay played 6 matches for Victoria as a batsman.
Along with George Mackay, Mr. G. Freeman was also a prolific run scorer for BUCC making 10,066 runs, which included 21 centuries.
Mr William Bruce gave exceptional and unequalled service to the Club. He is recorded as a player in 1861 representing the Club as a wicketkeeper/batsman against both the English Eleven and Victorian Eleven. His playing record continued until 1872 when he was elected President of the Club. He served at least 38 years as president (records between 1912 and late 1920’s were destroyed in a fire) and gave Bendigo United in excess of 50 years service. He died in Bendigo in 1916 aged 82 years.