Gympie Cricket Legend Number 6 - SHAUN SAVAGE

Shaun 'Sav' Savage

Former Scorchers 1st Grader, Gympie Colts, Gympie Valleys, Tewantin Noosa, Gympie Gold and Nambour fast bowler Shaun 'Sav' Savage is another quality cricketer who first plied his trade proudly wearing the sky blue and gold colours that represent his home town of Gympie.  

Sav played Gympie senior cricket from 1989-1996 and had the privilege of winning 1 Gympie A-Grade Premiership in that period. Never one to have a "big fish in little pond' mentality he decided to further his cricket taking the opportunity to compete in the Sunshine Coast 1st Division competition. Following some standout performances, he was eventually selected to make his Brisbane 1st Grade debut with the Sunshine Coast Scorchers and made an impression taking 58 wickets in 1st Grade fixtures over 2 seasons. Work commitments steered his cricketing journey to the Lennox Heads Cricket Club in NSW where he honed his leadership skills as skipper of the club leading them to their first Far North Coast LJ Hooker League semi final appearance. After returning to Gympie in 2008 Sav has played on and off with the Gympie Gold and has successfully used his leadership qualities to coach the team.   

When quizzed about his cricketing highlights Sav confirmed his individual peak was reaching a skill level that allowed him to compete at Brisbane 1st Grade standard and in regards to a team point of view the standout moment was winning Sunshine Coast's 1st Division Competition as a member of the Gympie Gold after falling short for so many years. Gympie's inaugural Sunshine Coast Premiership winning team was a great way to cap off his career but the most important thing for Sav was sharing the occasion with players past and present as well as the Gympie community in general. Interestingly, he holds the rare feat of winning 3 Sunshine Coast Premierships with 3 different Clubs and all 10 years apart (Tewantin Noosa 1996, Nambour 2006 and Gympie Gold 2016). After competing in the highest grade competition in QLD, it is also interesting to note that Shaun acknowledges the standard and quality of Gympie cricket back in the 1990's was high and the Colts side in the early 90's was a great side to be a part of as a young fella in what was a tough competition. 

The following is Shaun's assessment of Gympie cricketers who he concedes were the best in each criterion-

Favourite Gympie club teammate-

Ashley Sippel. We were on opposing sides playing rep cricket 25 years ago and had some great battles. He’s a quality bat and I enjoyed competing against him. When he joined the gold squad it was great to play along side him. Plus he ensured I wasn’t the oldest in the squad

Most annoying teammate-

Sheppo (when trying to give bowling advice ) 

Best cricketing friend-

Matt Kerr

Most respected opposition player- 

Shane Kropp was a quality cricketer and good role model for the young guys. Was always willing to offer advice to better your game. 

Best cricketer you played against-

Craig Whittaker 

Best batsman- 

Les Mitchell 

Best fast bowler- 

Gav Hourigan

Best Spinner- 

Les Mitchell 

Best all-rounder- 

Josh Brady /Craig Whittaker can’t split them

Best Wicket-Keeper- Troy Rowlands 

Best fielder-

Josh Brady

Best Captain- 

Brad Peterson

Best Sledger- 

Ashley 'Aspro' Pearce was always good value

Gympie team that proved to be your nemesis-

I recall anytime Colts played Valleys in the early 90s there was always plenty of chat and feeling.

Finally, Sav wanted to share his funniest Cricket story during his time playing Gympie Cricket. 

I remember playing a rep game in a combined Sunshine Coast / Gympie side against some team down at the old Cotton Tree ground on the coast. Chubby O’Brien was in the side and some how found himself fielding in the covers. The batsman has punched one past him to which he was the only one that gave chase. Mid-off and point haven’t moved a bit just watched . The ball has stopped just short of what was a massive boundary. Just as the batsman were about to head back for their 5th single, Chubby deliberately kicked it over the rope .

Thanks, Shaun, for taking the time to share your cricketing journey and thank goodness us poor old opening batsman don't have to compete against the young bloke in the above photo anymore.