CRICKET
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Balgownie Cricket Club is mourning the loss of stalwart Gordon Waters.
Starting with the Magpies in the under-14 competition in 1954-55, he began a 60-year affiliation with the club, rising to first grade during a long career.
Waters - playing alongside other club greats including John Bye, Dick Unsworth and Tom Rankin - is remembered as an opening batsman who placed a high value on his wicket, with a reliable front-foot defence.
It was coupled with his mental and physical toughness, which dictated "the only way to get him out was to knock him out" as former Magpies player Len Hayman recalled fondly.
"Tubby was the only player in the club who had his own gear. All of the others just used what was in the team's kit bag," he said.
Known as "Tubby", Gordon went on to become a mentor and coach at the club.
Such was his humble contribution to Balgownie, club president Mark Berwick said Waters shied away from club presentation nights to avoid capturing the limelight for his contribution.
Waters was even an absentee during the drought-breaking first grade premiership presentation night in 2000, when he received life membership of the club.
However, his dedication to the club could not be denied.
"One thing is certain, and that is that Gordon will be sadly missed on game day at Judy Masters Oval," Berwick said.
Waters died in Wollongong Hospital on Saturday at the age of 72. His funeral will be held at noon on Friday at Parsons Wollongong Chapel.
All club members are welcome to attend.