THE O’Farrell Cup has a special place in cricket history, and John Scascighini wants to make sure it’s remembered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The West Wyalong resident and self-confessed cricket tragic is planning to write a book about the challenge trophy and is seeking helpers from the across the Riverina to aid in research.
A former cricketer himself, Mr Scascighini has already written a book about West Wyalong representative cricket and said the O'Farrell Cup also deserved to have its history recorded.
“With the O’Farrell Cup approaching its centenary, I thought it was about time we recorded the definitive history before all us old blokes die,” he said.
“We often hear, ‘We should've done this 40 years ago because all the blokes are now dead'.
“We don’t want someone to say that about this in 20 years’ time.”
Mr Scascighini likes the research component of writing a book and said the O’Farrell Cup, which was presented to the Wagga Wagga Cricket Association in 1925, made a fascinating subject.
“I think it’s got an amazing history," he said.
“Along with the Grinstead Cup, it's one of the two oldest trophies still in current competition in Australia.
"It has a rich and sometimes amusing and sometimes bitter history.”
One example Mr Scascighini likes to give relates to the 1963 clash between Narrandera and Wagga.
Wagga were batting and within a few runs of victory when Narrandera successfully appealed against the light.
“Feelings were high afterwards and a fight erupted in the change rooms,” Mr Scascighini said.
“Wagga appealed to the NSW Cricket Association, who awarded Wagga the win.
“It said in the paper, ‘A very battered cup took several months to reach Wagga covered with stickers from places as far away as Cairns and Alice Springs’.
“That just goes to show you some of the things that have happened with the O’Farrell Cup.”
Anyone who would like to help with the O’Farrell Cup project can contact Mr Scascighini on 6972 2278 or scas@aapt.net.au.