CAMDEN Cricket Club’s first grade side has built a dynasty in the Camden District Cricket Association over the past decade which boggles the mind.
This month, the club rolled the Campbelltown Westerners for 79 after going to 2-164 to win an astonishing 10th consecutive first grade grand final. Captain James Broadbent starred in the match at Bradbury Oval, picking up 94 not out, helping to push the side to the win.
Club president Benham Dodd captained the side which won at the beginning of the dynasty in 2007-2008. He said at the time he had no idea the club would be so dominant 10 years down the track. “I never would have predicted what we’ve done. It’s not the way cricket usually is; it’s a funny game.’’
Dodd said in later years, the club often compared its triumphs to the eight-year dynasty the Queensland Maroons pulled off in the rugby league State of Origin from 2006-2013. “I think Jonathan Thurston or Cameron Smith would have been happy to go 10 years. The players we’ve had have been very high class and really dedicated to the team. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved.”
But although the team had been so dominant over the decade, which included a two-and-a-half year undefeated run, Dodd said it had been far from as easy as it appeared. “The competition has been really strong and we’ve had a lot of close games,” he said. “We’ve had to work really hard to win our premierships and that’s a testament to this competition.”