Cricket
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE legacy of three Wagga cricketers will be remembered when Lake Albert and South Wagga play for the inaugural Larkins, Mumford and Rogers Memorial Cup today.
Thirty five years after the death of Derek Rogers, Michael Larkins and David Mumford, the Wagga clubs they played for will commemorate their lives in what is hoped will become an annual fixture.
Larkins and Mumford both played for South Wagga while Rogers is a club legend with Lake Albert.
South Wagga president Chris Smith thought the day was a great way to celebrate their lives and remember the history of both clubs.
"I think it's very fitting that we remember the guys after all this time and give the younger guys of both clubs something to look up to," he said.
"Once they get to know the history of the guys and the level of cricket they will be very impressed."
Smith was part of the Wagga representative team the trio played in Hillston before they died in a car crash on the way home.
Another team member, Col Leeson, survived the crash.
Rogers, touted as one of the best players to grace the Riverina's pitches, could have played Sheffield Shield cricket and beyond if he moved to Sydney.
Michael Larkins played cricket in South Africa and England before joining the Blues while David Mumford was only 18 years old when he was killed.
"He (Mumford) could have gone onto to be anything," Smith said.
"He was playing state hockey at the time and was also a very good cricketer, playing first grade at a young age."
All four grades will be involved with best and fairest medals also handed out for each grade.
Lake Albert president Jason Samuelson has grown up learning about Rogers from his father Bruce and thought having all grades involved would be a fitting tribute to the mentoring role Rogers loved to play.
"Speaking to my father he always spoke about how Derek, even though he was such a great cricketer, always had time for everyone in the club - from the top grade to the lowest," Samuelson said.
"For me it felt really appropriate that all grades were included."
"Hopefully it will be something that is contested for the next 20 or 30 years between our clubs and it will mean something to our clubs and the younger people coming through."
Utilising the Robertson Oval and Bolton Park Complex all four matches will be played in close proximity before a presentation where the cup will be handed over to the winning team.
A sliding scale will be used with a first grade win worth four points, second grade three points, third grade two points and fourth grade one point.