Asquith Rugby League Cricket Club - ARLCC

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

On 28 September 2002, with Avril Lavigne’s Complicated at number one in Australia, Greg Westwood made a chase of 286 look anything but.

Greg finished unbeaten on 168 as Asquith reached 3/305 from 58.3 overs against WPHC at Weadon Park. His innings included 27 fours and four sixes and remains the third-highest recorded individual score in club history.

The photo isn’t from the innings itself, but it is Greg, of course, in action a few years later.

Magpie Monday 006 features one of Asquith’s finest run-scorers, Mark Pittorino.

Pitto scored 4,142 runs across 139 matches, placing him fifth on the club’s all-time list. There were five centuries, 22 fifties and a highest score of 139 along the way - plus 835 runs in 1997/98, still the second-highest single-season aggregate in Asquith history.

He also collected 18 wickets, 64 catches, a grand final win and, most impressively, two Senior Club Champion awards.

Thirty years between his first and last seasons. Some effort!

Flashback Friday - the 2005/06 A Grade Grand Final.

More than 20 years ago, Asquith piled on 282 at Berowra, led by Dan Cunningham with 72. A fresh faced Steve Loccisano added 46, Greg Westwood made 35 and Ben Folkard finished unbeaten on 27.

Normanhurst were then dismissed for 124, with Luke Chapman taking 5/27, Folkard 2/55, and Cunningham and Andrew Perry claiming a wicket each.

A 158-run Grand Final win!

That looks like our esteemed president, Steve Loccisano, being greeted by the modest field of four slips, a gully and short cover. We await confirmation from anyone whose memory stretches back that far.

And in the other photo, it must be either Chapman or Perry responsible for destroying the leg stump. Confessions welcome.

Magpie Monday | Robert Banks

This week’s Magpie Monday features Robert “Banksie” Banks - the leading wicket-taker in Asquith history.

Across a career spanning more than 30 years, Banksie played 226 matches and took 440 wickets at an average of 13.95, including 12 five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/20.

He also made 3,482 runs, with 10 fifties and a highest score of 117 not out, placing him second on the club’s all-rounders list.

Banksie twice won an HK&HDCA bowling average trophy - in D Grade in 1992/93 and B2 Grade in 2012/13 - an extraordinary 20 seasons apart.

Add three Grand Final wins and it’s one of the great all-round careers in the club’s history.

Flashback Friday - the 2012/13 B2 Grade Grand Final.

Asquith defeated WPHC Blue by 10 wickets to claim the first of three consecutive premierships.

After bowling WPHC out for 151, the Magpies replied with 218 - led by Mark Pittorino’s 58 and Grant Chapman’s 31.

Chapman then took 5/20 as WPHC Blue were rolled for 77, giving him seven wickets for the match. Robert Kirk added 3/27 before Kevin Andrich and Pittorino knocked off the remaining 11 without loss.

Looking for a cricket club for the 2026/27 season?

Asquith Magpies are welcoming new players across all grades and ability levels. Whether you’re an experienced player, returning after a break or playing for the first time, everyone is welcome.

We’re based on Sydney’s Upper North Shore and play in the HK&HDCA competition.

Send us a message if you’re interested or would like more information.

Magpie Monday | Denver Rego

Completing Asquith’s trio selected in the HK&HDCA Team of the Last 25 Years: Denver Rego.

Across 177 matches for the Magpies, Denver took 372 wickets at 13.44 - the fourth-highest tally in club history. His record included 13 five-wicket hauls, two ten-wicket matches and best figures of 8/21.

He also scored 2,878 runs at 20.56, placing him 15th on Asquith’s all-time run-scoring list, with 12 fifties and a century.

Four grand finals, two wins and one of the finest spin bowlers in the club’s history.

Flashback Friday: the 2009/10 A Grade Grand Final.

Asquith posted 227, led by Jeff Taylor with 63 and Ben Folkard with 40.

WPHC were then bowled out for 143. Folkard took 4/46, Luke Chapman 3/27, with Folkard taking the final wicket to seal an 84-run win and another A Grade premiership.

Not a bad moment to have caught on camera.

Magpie Monday: Ben Folkard.

Across 223 games for Asquith, Ben scored 4,790 runs and took 414 wickets - second in club history in both categories.

His career also included seven centuries, 19 five-wicket hauls, two hat-tricks and six Grand Final wins.

Ben was one of three Asquith players, alongside Luke Chapman and Denver Rego, selected in the HK&HDCA A Grade Team of the Last 25 Years.

Flashback Friday: the 2008/09 A Grade Grand Final.

Asquith made 184 in the first innings, led by an unbeaten 77 from Greg Westwood and 39 from Will Radley.

Kenthurst were then bowled out for 156. Ben Folkard took 6/59 - including the final wicket - with Jeff Lee adding 3/31.

Asquith finished 4/110 in the second innings, Phil Newton unbeaten on 57, and won by 28 runs to claim the premiership.