Sport
14 June, 2024
A great innings....
THE extended South West Cricket community is mourning the loss of one of the game’s greats following the passing of Robert Pyke.
For more than 20 years Robert played his beloved cricket with the Stonyford club, captaining the team for much of that time, before joining the Pomborneit Cricket Club during a time of uncertainty in the Stoneyford Cricket Association.
“Irrewillipe left the association at the end of the 1973/74 season so dad took me (as a 14 year-old) as well as four other players and we joined Pomborneit ahead of the 74/75 season,” proud son Don said.
Robert went on to play 268 games between then and 1989/90, filling in for one game in each of the 90/91 and 91/92 seasons to reach a Pomborneit record of 270 games.
During that time he made 6/353 runs at an average of 26.14 – including 31 fifties and three centuries (with a career top score of 110).
Robert also proved handy with the ball, taking 352 wickets and 93 catches at an average of just 14.57.
“Records show dad had 17 five-wicket hauls and his best bowling figures were 7/19,” Don said.
As well as his on-field achievements, Robert was also well known for his off-field commitments.
In the 1987/88 and 1988/89 seasons he served as president of the Pomborneit Cricket Club, was captain for three seasons and was a four-time Pomborneit team champion.
“Dad was a four-time premiership player at Pombo, was awarded life membership of the club and also received life membership of the Timboon/Stoneyford Cricket Association.”
Upon retirement, Robert took on the role of umpire which he held until he could no longer hear the ball on the pad for an LBW.
“Dad would never want to make a wrong decision,” Don said.
“But he never stopped watching cricket; whether that was at a local, state, national or international level they were all games worthy of his attention.
“He came to see me umpire at the Pombo cricket ground just a couple of months ago. We’re extremely proud of his achievements.”
Along with his love of cricket, Robert was also a talented footballer who ran out on grounds across the district alongside team-mates from Cobden, Pirron Yallock and Waverley football clubs.