Wests Cricket Club, formerly known as Lambton-New Lambton, is celebrating its centenary season in 2025-2026. The club is hosting a series of events to commemorate this significant milestone, including a recent match featuring past and present players over the October long weekend. A gathering for former players is also planned for November 1 at Harker Oval, while a highlight of the celebrations will be a commemorative dinner at NEX on November 22, where the club will unveil its teams of the decades.
James King has returned to captain the team, this time accompanied by his two-year-old son, Elliott. King, a two-time premiership winner, expressed enthusiasm about leading the club during its historic year. “It was a big draw card to be back amongst the club, not that I was too far removed, but to be on the field and captain in the 100th year was too good to pass up,” King told the Newcastle Herald. His son has already shown an interest in cricket, sporting a Wests hat and attending training sessions.
The club has a rich history, with notable past players such as former Test representative Rick McCosker. McCosker, who famously batted with a broken jaw during the centenary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1977, joined Wests after relocating to Newcastle. He reminisced about the importance of acknowledging the club’s history and those who paved the way for current players. “It’s always good to acknowledge history, the history of the club and those who came before us,” he said.
Mick McEntyre, who has been involved with the club since the early 1960s, continues to play a vital role as training coordinator and centenary organizer. “I’m still heavily involved at the place,” he said, highlighting his long-standing commitment to Wests since he first played there at the age of 14.
The club’s history extends back to the merger of Lambton and New Lambton in the 1926-1927 season, leading to the formation of Wests in 2004. Among its famous alumni are Jim de Courcey, who ascended to Test batsman status in 1953, and leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe, who played during the World Series Cricket era in the late 1970s. John McLaughlin, now in his 80s, remains active at Harker Oval, where his grandsons are now part of the club.
This season, the Rosellas will field six senior sides, a women’s team, and multiple junior age groups. The first XI began their campaign with a victory, successfully chasing down Cardiff-Boolaroo’s total of 120 with four wickets in hand and 21 overs remaining. King commended the younger players’ performance, stating, “It was a good way to start; I thought the young guys bowled really well.”
Looking forward, Wests will host Toronto in another one-day match in the Newcastle District Cricket Association on October 18.
In related news, Belmont Cricket Club ended a lengthy winless streak of 610 days with a decisive 10-wicket victory over Waratah-Mayfield, marking a strong start to the 2025-2026 season. Additionally, in first grade action, Charlestown’s left-arm spinner Daniel Standing achieved a hat-trick, although this feat was overshadowed by a teammate’s explosive performance, underscoring the excitement of the ongoing cricketing season.
The centenary celebrations at Wests Cricket Club not only honor the past but also aim to inspire future generations of players.
