During the early twentieth century, the Bassett family established a prominent reputation within the Arthurs Creek district for their contributions to both local agriculture and community sport. This account documents their significant involvement in the Arthurs Creek Cricket Club, highlighted by a notable family-only match held at Arthurs Creek in January 1909 and the preservation of district cricket memorabilia by descendants such as Kathleen Bassett.
…the Bassett’s have made a name for themselves in the cricket field as well as in the ploughing matches, &c…
Throughout the years leading up to the First World War, the Bassett family was well represented as members of the Arthurs Creek Cricket Club. The Evelyn Observer of January 15, 1909 reported the following results of a family cricket match:-
“A very interesting game of cricket was played at Arthurs Creek on Saturday January 2, 1909, when Councillor (Richard) Bassett (of 'Tregowan', Doreen) successfully played a team representing the surrounding districts with a team solely composed of Bassetts. Mr. Bassett’s team consisted of himself, eight sons and two grandsons. The scores were as follows:-
BASSETTS
R. (Richard) Bassett, senior, b Gibson - 0
Jno. (John) Bassett, c Herbert, b Laidlay - 13
Arthur Bassett, c Stebbings, b Laidlay - 13
Everard Bassett, run out - 1
M. (Maurice) Bassett, c Herbert, b Limmer - 3
F. (Fred) Bassett, not out - 30
Alf. Bassett, senior, b Phillips - 16
Ersk. (Erskine) Bassett, sen., c Edge, b Phillips - 1
Alf. Bassett, junior, b Haigh - 9
Harold Bassett, c Verso, b Haigh - 0
Ersk. (Erskine) Bassett, junior, b J. Laidlay - 1
Sundries - 6
TOTAL - 93
Bowling: Gibson, 1 for 21; Phillips, 2 for 25; J. Laidlay, 3 for 12; W. Limmer, 1 for 11; Lobb, 0 for 3; Haigh, 2 for 15.
DISTRICT
E. Phillips, b M. Bassett - 0
W. Haigh, c Art. Bassett, b J. Bassett - 23
J. Laidlay, b M. Bassett - 2
W. Laidlay b H. Bassett - 33
Ed. Lobb, run out - 0
J. Gibson, c M. Bassett, b J. Bassett - 2
W. Limmer, c H. Bassett, b Er. Bassett - 9
H. Limmer, b Alf. Bassett, jun. - 7
J. Herbert, not out - 0
B. Stebbings, b Ersk. Bassett, jun. - 0
Edge, c Ev. Bassett, b Er. Bassett, jr. - 0
Byes - 7
TOTAL - 83
Bowling. – M. (Maurice) Bassett, 2 for 23; Art (Arthur) Bassett, 0 for 15; Evd. (Everard) Bassett, 0 for 18; Jno. (John) Bassett, 2 for 15; Ersk. (Erskine) Bassett, 1 for 4; H. (Harold) Bassett, 1 for 0; Ersk. (Erskine) Bassett, jun., 2 for 1.
It was a most enjoyable and interesting game. I would like to see Mr. Bassett’s family play the premier team this season; if not, the Arthurs Creek team. An exciting game would be the result. The Bassett’s have made a name for themselves in the cricket field as well as in the ploughing matches, &c.”
At the Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute History Day and Plaque Unveiling held on Sunday 11 September, 2005, Mrs. Kathleen Bassett of 'Tregowan', presented the Hall Committee with two very fine items of district cricket memorabilia held by the Bassett family over many years. The items were the silver ‘Chandler’s Trophy’ of the Evelyn District Cricket Competition for the season 1893-94, won by Arthurs Creek Cricket Club and a framed photograph of the Doreen Cricket Club, Premiers for the Whittlesea Shire Cricket Association Season 1924-25, presented to Mr. Leslie W. Clarke of 'Linton Grange' (President and Captain) as a token of appreciation. The team photograph includes three members of the Bassett family and three members of the Clarke family.
