Remembering Roger Forrest Hughes

On Remembrance Day, James Rodgers continues the series in which he commemorates the Sydney University cricketers who died serving in the First World War, a century ago.  Today: Roger Forrest Hughes.

Captain Roger Forrest Hughes was born in Sydney 6 May 1890 and died of wounds near Flers, France on 11 December 1916.

Roger Forrest Hughes was one of the best and brightest of his generation produced by the University of Sydney.  He entered the University in 1908, studying Classics for which he continued to earn distinctions until graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. He immersed himself in undergraduate life in the Debating Society, the Dramatic Society and as Secretary of the University Union. He played Hockey for the University (winning his Blue in 1912) and played every season for the Cricket Club as a batsman from 1908 until 1913 – without great achievements, although he turned out faithfully in the Thirds, for which team he was a selector. In games for which records were kept, he batted 29 times in Thirds for 485 runs and once in Seconds in 1910-11 without scoring. The 1912-13 SUCC Annual Report, however, gives some indication of the continued frustration caused by haphazard organisation of the Club’s lower grades. When Third Grade’s scoring book was again lost, the Club’s secretary, Claude Tozer, allowed himself a restrained but pointed:  ‘It is a matter of concern that the executive part of the team’s work is not looked after as it should be…’

Roger Hughes progressed to study Medicine after graduating in Arts and he thrived, graduating MB ChM in 1915.

He was the second son of Sir Thomas Hughes, 1863-1930 (the first Lord Mayor of Sydney by that title, in 1902, 1903, 1907 and 1908) and Lady Louisa (nee Gilhooley). His uncle was John Francis Hughes (1857-1912), a minister in the NSW Governments of the 1890s and 1900s. His parents sent Roger to St Ignatius’ College Riverview in 1901 and accolades for academic excellence followed him every year until he was Dux of the College in 1907. He won the Gold Medal for Senior Debate, the trophy for Oratory, and sports prizes for athletics as a sprinter, for Rugby as a five eighth in the 1st XV and as a middle order batsman in the 1st XI. His obituarist, writing in the College Magazine for 1916, strikes a poignant note when one realises that this has been a life of great promise cut short:  ‘Roger’s career at Riverview, and at the University, was a brilliant one. It would have been hard to find a brighter or more willing personality. To his old College, he was loyal to the heart’s core.’

In 1915, he served as RMO at St Vincent’s Hospital where he was much admired, before enlisting in December 1915 and being appointed  RMO at No 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick. He sailed from Sydney on 8 August 1916 on the ‘Wiltshire’, arriving in England on 13 October.

The Hughes family gave so many to Australia’s cause in the Great War.  Five of Roger Hughes’ cousins, all alumni of St Ignatius’ College, were killed. This established and prosperous Sydney family and the College saw it as a duty to encourage their sons to lives of service, even service for war.

Hughes was at the front for only five days. On 11 December 1916, while attending to a wounded soldier, he was hit by a shell that fractured both legs and that killed his patient. Hughes was taken to 36th Casualty Station where his younger brother, Captain Geoffrey Hughes, was, by chance, at his side in his final hours. He was laid to rest in a ceremony conducted by Father Prescott in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe. Geoffrey Hughes and a brother in law, Captain Austin Curtin, said prayers at the graveside.

His loss was felt keenly in Australia. A solemn requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney by Archbishop Michael Kelly with two of his cousins, John and James Hughes, serving the Mass.  James Hughes had played for 1st Grade for SUCC from 1904 until 1909, and three of the brothers (Bryan was later killed in France in August 1918) were representative Rugby players, James and Bryan playing for Australia.

Roger had married Eileen Maher on 2 March 1916 at St Canice’s Church in Sydney. The land had been a gift of the Hughes family to the Catholic Church and there is now a stained glass window in memory of Captain Roger Hughes in the church.  Eight weeks after his father’s death, his son, Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, was born on 4 February 1917.  The family was to be visited by extraordinary tragedy during World War II. In 1942, on an operational flight with the RAAF, Roger Hughes junior was killed over Darwin. Then, his mother was killed in a car accident in May 1946 on her way to visit her son’s grave.

Captain Geoffrey Hughes (1895-1951) was awarded the Military Cross in May 1918 and his line of the family continued the distinguished surname as they contributed significantly to Australian public life. His three sons were Thomas Hughes QC, (1923- ), eminent barrister and  Federal Attorney General of Australia 1969-71, Geoffrey Hughes, a renowned lawyer, and Robert Studley  Hughes (1938-2012), internationally famous art critic. One of Thomas Hughes’ daughters, Roger Forrest Hughes’ great niece, Lucy, followed her great grandfather as Lord Mayor of Sydney, 2003-04. She is married to the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull.

Pollock and MacGill joins the Blue & Gold Cricket Luncheon panel for 2016

Sydney University Cricket Club will host it's annual Blue & Gold Cricket Luncheon for the 22nd time next Friday 18th November at the Ivy Ballroom.

The luncheon is one of the best on the luncheon calendar, perfectly placed between the 2nd and 3rd Australia vs South Africa Test matches, and will see international superstars Shaun Pollock and Stuart MacGill, as well as respected cricket journalist Mike Coward, join Adam Spencer's expert panel.

Spencer is one of the best panel hosts in the business, combining intelligence and humour to create a highly entertaining segment, and with over 150 Tests, 300 ODIs and a 5-decade long journalism career between them, this will be one to remember.

There is no better venue for this than the Ivy Ballroom as you dine on a delicious lunch menu together with premium drinks package, before retiring to the Palings Bar for the all important post-lunch conversations on who to pick in the 3rd Test match and where the Aussie batting line-up is going wrong.

Tickets cost $160 per person or a corporate table of 10 for $1,750, so get your old teammates, friends or clients together and make Friday 18th November a lunch to remember.

Bookings can be made by downloading the B & G Lunch Booking Form and returning completed to r.tubbs@sport.usyd.edu.au.

For those former Sydney Uni Cricket members, especially of the 70s, 80s and 90s, join us in celebrating the induction of John Grimble and John Saint into the Sydney Uni Cricket Club Virtual Hall of Fame at the lunch.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy one of the best cricket luncheons in Sydney.

More runs for Larkin

Sydney University captain Nick Larkin continued his strong early-season form by hitting an assured 56 for New South Wales against Tasmania in yesterday's Futures League match at Blacktown International Sports Park.

After Tasmania declared its first innings closed at 7 for 364, Larkin made a confident start to his side's response, facing 110 deliveries and striking five boundaries and showing the form that made him last season's player of the tournament in the Futures League.

New South Wales had reached 4 for 155 by stumps.  Play continues today.

SU Chairman elected SCA Life Member

The Sydney Cricket Association tonight elected Sydney University's Chairman, Max Bonnell, as its 27th Life Member.

SCA Chairman, Andrew Falk, acknowledged Bonnell's contribution to Sydney Grade cricket, which began in 1979 with the Western Suburbs club, and includes twenty years as a player, and important administrative roles with both of his clubs.  His service to the SCA has included writing (with Richard Cashman and James Rodgers) the centenary history of the Grade competition and acting for 14 years as one of the Code of Conduct Commissioners.

Bonnell becomes the third Sydney University Chairman to be recognised with SCA Life Membership, after James Rodgers and Mick O'Sullivan.

Round 5, day 1 recap V Easts

1st Grade:

Sydney University 7/340 (N Larkin 120, D Mortimer 61, L Robertson 50, Thornton 3/64) Easts 0/15

We arrived at Uni no 1 to another beautiful looking surface prepared by Daryl and the boys, flat, hard and with an even covering of grass.

The Easts skipper called correctly and surprisingly, decided to field first. A tight first session would follow, with captain Nick Larkin and the in form Mortimer taking us to lunch at 1-100. Larkin, not at his most fluent, showed great application while Mortimer continued to stroke them past point and cover. The old man Ian Moran bowled solidly for the boys from the East, in his first spell into the wind at Uni no 1. Easts new man Thornton bowled with good lift and pace in short spells.

Not to miss an opportunity for some mathematical symmetry, the students battled hard through the middle session, and finished at 2-200. Mortimer dragged one on from Thornton to end a bright 61, and was replaced by May, who accompanied skipper Larkin through to the tea break. Nick had periods of easy scoring and at times struggled to break the ring field, but showed great concentration and application to bring up his second ton in three hits, and two in a row at home. Good signs for the skipper.

Post the tea break the students attempted to push the scoring along, with good contributions from May (38), Robertson (50)  and BTJ (21) . Easts quicks Magin and Thornton both toiled hard and gave nothing away with the old ball. An attacking declaration from Larkin allowed us a short stint with the ball. Alas no wickets, but we look forward to working our way through the strong Easts batting line up next week.

2nd Grade: 

Sydney Uni 8/366 (J Holloway 131, W Hay 85, D Holloway 35, U Mehta 3/55) Easts 1/29 (K Elley 1/10)

Much like first grade, the boys arrived to a quality wicket at Waverley Oval, flat, hard and with a good even coverage of grass.  Again similar to first grade, the East skipper won the toss and sent the students into bat.

With the promotion of James Larkin to first grade and the unavailability of James Crowley, Will Hay had yet another opening partner in Jack Holloway. It became clear after the first hour just how good the wicket was, sitting at 0/60 at the drinks break.  The two combined fantastically well, with Hay sweating on anything short and Holloway punishing anything over pitched.  Holloway easily passed his previous highest second grade score before joining Hay with a half century. 

At the lunch break the students sat in a dominant position of 0/134 this continued immediately after the break before Hay was dismissed for 85.  Losing his opening partner did not deter Jack, as he proceeded to bring up his maiden second grade hundred with a quality lofted drive for four, followed by an over-exuberant celebration.  Unfortunately the dismissal of Hay brought about another quick wicket with skipper Miller departing, before Craze joined Holloway and pushed the score pasted 200. When Craze was dismissed for a well-made 30, Arnold and Kerr quickly followed losing these three wickets for 30 with the score now 5/266.  Holloway attempting to resurrect the side from another collapse was eventually dismissed for a nearly chanceless 131, with uni now 6/277.  Enter Jacks brother Dugald and wicket-keeper Ed Arnott (31*) these two put on 50 runs before Holloway junior was dismissed for a rapid 35.  A few lusty blows from Kieran Elley saw skipper Miller happy to declare with 366 on the board and 8 overs left in the days play.

The boys bowled beautiful, with great pace and control.  J Holloway, determined to prove his all-rounder status steamed in bowling aggressively at the body of the batsman making life very uncomfortable. He was well supported by Dugald and Jonathon Craig-Dobson but it was Elley who got the break through, crashing through the defence of the Easts opening batsman in the first over. 

At the close of play Easts are 1/29 still requiring 338 of victory next week.

3rd Grade:

Easts 58 (K Tate 4/20 T Kierath 4/12) Sydney Uni 6/192 (R Danne 52, M Powys 51, A Shaw 48, S Lewis 3/34)

The grand final replay saw a lot of new faces in both sides with only two of the Sydney Uni XI playing.  Easts, much like first and second grade, won the toss however unlike the top two grades, elected to bat.  The green tinge on the wicket had Kieran Tate licking his lips as he struck with the first ball of the game.  Ryan Danne was exceptional in the field with a direct hit throw unlucky not  to grab the 2nd wicket for the students.  Tate continued to terrorise the Easts batsman taking 4/20, he was well supported by the control and consistency of X Frawley and L McMahon, however it was the left arm spin of Tom Keirath that did the late damage, taking 4/12 off his 8 overs.  Easts were reeling, eventually dismissed for a sup-par 58. 

The students passed the total with the loss of just two wickets and proceeded to pile on the pain with the recently recalled trio of Danne (52), Shaw (48) and Powys (51) dominating the Easts attack.  Danne and Shaw played with fantastic control and composure, allowing Powys to play his naturally flamboyant  style, which he attempted to continue at the Crows Nest hotel later that evening. 

At the close of play the students are in a commanding position with a 134 run first innings lead. 

4th Grade:

Sydney Uni 231 (H Kermond 80) Easts 1/39.

A mature and confident knock from Hugh Kermond was the standout for fourth grade on day one against easts.  Hugh was ably supported at times by Suda Sivapalan, before a slight collapse saw the students dismissed for a reasonable 231. 

With a handful over overs to bowl late in the day, fourth grade picked up one wicket and set about an exciting finish on day 2 next Saturday. 

5th Grade:

Easts 272 (M Phoebus 3/43, Islam 4/48) Sydney Uni 1/11.

Fresh off a comprehensive outright victory over Hawkesbury last week, the students arrived at Camperdown full of confidence against the reigning premiers, Easts. 

Losing the toss and being asked to field, the boys needed a strong start, despite the best efforts from Natesh Yoganand and Ethan Clout the students were unable to make early breakthroughs. 

It was only through the introduction of Michael Phoebus (3/43) and Islam (4/48) that brought about some wickets.  The students eventually dismissed Easts for 283, with 5 overs to go in the day. 

Unfortunately Islam was unable to replicate his bowling efforts with the bat, falling just short of stumps as we finished the day 1/11 still needing 272 for victory.   

Metro Cup: Sydney University 135 (P Carfax 44, M Miles 22, B Speechly 6/22) Penrith 6/165) 

A relatively disappointing day 1 against Penrith for Metro Cup.  Playing with 10 men was always going to be difficulty, however PatCarfax Jnr stood above the rest with a quality 44.  Pat was supported by some lusty hitting from Murray Miles. 

Despite valiant efforts with the ball and in the field we were unable to restrict Penrith from passing out total 6 down, and ended the day 30 behind with a massive day two next week needed. 

PGs: Sydney University 204 (K Jacobs 59, H Kerr 35, C Lorenzato 32, D Fallins 4/38) Def By Sutherland 9/205 (S Khan 59, D Fallins 45, T Doyle 37, K Elley 4/26)

The University’s strong PG’s side came up against an equally strong Sutherland side this past Sunday which resulted in an unfortunate last wicket loss for the side out at McGrath oval. The students started the days play off with a powerful 67 run opening partnership between Hayden Kerr and Kevin Jacobs which was then well backed up by Charles Litchfield getting the team to 1 for 97. A middle order collapse after the dismissal of Jacobs (59) saw the side 6 for 132 before young gun Christian Lorenzato (32) and Kieran Tate(17) steadied the ship helping the students post a defendable score of 204.

The home side came out swinging hard with a fast but chancy 96 run opening partnership before deadly Devlin Malone used his ex-home knowledge to make the first break through. Sutherland then continued on to 1 for 152 with only 53 runs to make with ample overs remaining. However the students then made a huge comeback bowling tight lines and lengths taking an astonishing 8 wickets for 34 runs with economical pacemen Kieran Elly and Kieran Tate taking 4 and 2 wickets respectively. The tables had turned and Uni had 19 runs to take the last remaining Sutherland wicket. With multiple LBW decisions turned down to Tate and Dugald Holloway, followed by an edge between the keeper and slip, the opposition scraped to reach the Students total in the 43rd over. An impressive display of fight and ticker from the PG’s squad to nearly bring back a match that was thought surely lost.

Milestones Monday

Nick Larkin hit his eighth First Grade century when he made 120 against Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.  That took him past Johnny Taylor (7) and he is now sixth on the list of the Club’s First Grade century-makers, behind Greg Mail (30), Ed Cowan (12), Eric Barbour (11), HO Rock (9) and Ian Fisher (9).  Larkin has also passed Mark Faraday (4262 runs) to move into seventh place on the Club’s list of First Grade run-scorers.

Ashton May passed 3000 runs in First Grade during his innings of 39 against Eastern Suburbs (the bulk of them – 2875 – being scored for St George).

Liam Robertson’s 50 against Eastern Suburbs was his sixth half-century in First Grade (two of which have been converted into centuries).

Jack Holloway’s 131 in Second Grade against his former club, Eastern Suburbs, was his first century in Second Grade and his highest score in all grades.  Jack has recorded career-best performances in the last three grade rounds - twice with the ball, and now with the bat.

Will Hay, who hit 85 in Second Grade against Eastern Suburbs, finished his innings with 6242 runs for the Club, which was just enough to move him past Mark Faraday (6241) into ninth place in the Club's list of all-time run-scorers.

Ryan Danne, with 52 against Eastern Suburbs, scored his first half-century in Third Grade.

During his accomplished innings of 80 in Fourth Grade against Eastern Suburbs, Hugh Kermond passed 1000 runs for the Club.

Zohirul Islam, with 4-48 against Eastern Suburbs, recorded his best bowling figures for the Club.

Kevin Jacob's polished 59 in Poidevin-Gray against Sutherland was his first half-century for the Club.

Kieran Elley, with an outstanding spell of 4-26 against Sutherland in Poidevin-Gray, recorded his best bowling figures for the Club.

In the sheds... off speed bowlers

The medium pacer, too slow to be considered a fast bowler, too fast and lacking the dexterity to be a spinner. Today’s topic will look at the criteria of what makes a medium pacer. There are three distinct areas that need to be met.

Number One – Pace

As mentioned earlier a medium pacers is too slow to be a fast bowler and lacks the skills to be a spinner. A fast bowler’s slower ball and a spinner’s arm ball are often the range that medium pacer will work in. Some members of the club are exceptions to this rule, namely Xavier Frawley’s off cutter is too slow and a Nick Powys’ arm ball is too fast to fit in this range. These are abnormalities. To place a figure on this range, it is somewhere between 95-110 km/h. 110km/h is rarely achieved amongst the core group of bowlers. Instances where this may be achieved is when the lucky individual is given the opportunity to bowl downhill with the wind. The thought of this gets any medium pacer excited.

Number Two – Having a Thick Skin

Any medium pace bowler needs thick skin. Due to the pace possessed by the individual they’ll never be a member of the fast bowlers union. If you question this, then think if a wicketkeeper is up to the stumps to your bowling then: one, you should be embarrassed and two, you have no right to be considered ‘fast’ or even have the word associated with you. On the rare occasion medium pacers can out number fast bowlers; third grade won a premiership last year having a ratio of 3:1. Yes, I am considering Henry Clark above the status of medium pace, mainly because he bowls off the wrong foot and this takes time for the batsman to adjust to.

Back onto the topic of needing thick skin. Due to this out casting from the fast bowlers union, a medium pacer can become isolated, leaving them vulnerable to sledging tirades from their fellow teammates. “Release the hand-brake”, “bowling backwards” and “Wow, that one might of hit three figures” are a few examples of the treatment received. Of course, medium pacers don’t help themselves. Being rare and a nuffy are frequently found characteristics in these individuals, which just adds fuel to the fire.

Number Three – Specific Role and Burgling Wickets

Focusing on full time medium pacers here, although some batsman do describe their bowling as being of ‘first-class’ status (looking at James Larkin here); these same batsman (again James Larkin) repeatedly complain of a torn rotator cuff after two overs of part-time bowling. The role of a medium pacer is to bowl their set amount of overs, tying down an end so that the ‘strike’ bowlers can snare the break through. Therefore, a medium pacer is found pushing uphill and into a tail wind for 10-15 overs straight, seemingly validating the sledge of “bowling backwards”. This is done week in week out, the reward is burgling a wicket or two with the batsman playing an inpatient shot, often caught on the ring or the boundary rope. Some bowlers have made burgling a speciality, take third grade captain Ash Cowan for example. Ash has frequently been seen either sliding the ball through a number 9 batsman’s bat and smacking them flush on the pad, or firing a delivery down leg for a cheeky leg side stumping. It is this burglar characteristic that leaves teammates bemused to see four or five dusty medium pacers finish in the top 10 for bowling aggregate year in year out. This is further exemplified by medium pacer Jack Gibson winning player of the year last season, with a haul of 36 wickets and best figures of 5/19.

If you meet the three part criteria then you are definitely a dusty, dibbly doppling medium pacer who will be most likely a rare unit and presumably take 20-30 wickets in a seasons. Welcome to the underwhelming union of medium pacers.

#upthestudent