Tuesday, 30th November 2021

Congratulations to Stewart Gibb who will play his 500th senior game for Kilsyth Cricket Club in Round 4 on Saturday, 4th December 2021. This is an outstanding achievement and is the most senior games ever played by a Kilsyth player in the Club’s long and proud history. To achieve this feat, “Gibby” is also in his 44th consecutive playing season with the Club (another Club record). In addition to his 500 senior games he has also played 32 Veterans (Over 40’s) matches.

The Gibb family has a long association with Kilsyth Cricket Club with Stewart’s sons Dale and Joel both First XI players. Stewart’s father John was a former Vice President of the Club and with his mother Margaret, Stewart was a Committee Member. Brothers Ross and Alistair Gibb played for Kilsyth in the 1970’s and early ’80’s.

Stewart joined the Club as an 18-year-old senior player in the 1978/79 season after having previously played with Croydon CC. Awarded Life Membership of Kilsyth CC in 1993, Stewart has played in 32 senior finals (plus seven Veterans finals), eight premierships (six Senior and two Veterans) and six runners-up teams (five Senior and one Veterans) as follows.

Premiers:
Second XI: 1991/92 (A2 Grade), 1993/94 (A2 Grade), 1994/95 (Chandler 2)
Third XI: 2004/05 A Grade
Fourth XI: 2006/07
Fifth XI 2013/14
Veterans: 2009/10 (Masters 3), 2011/12 (Masters 2)

Runners-Up:
First XI: 1985/86 (A1 Grade) lost by 16 runs
Second XI: 1992/93 (A2 Grade)
Fourth XI: 2012/13
Fifth XI 2014/15 & 2015/16
Veterans: 2010/11 (Masters 2)

A former First XI player, Stewart is currently Captain of the Fifth XI, after previously having been Captain of the Second and Third XI’s, Stewie is also a past Junior Coach and Team Manager (two U16 premierships). In the 2013/14 season he was Man of the Match in the Fifth XI’s historic first ever Grand Final victory. In the Grand Final Stewart scored 43 off 120 balls with 5 boundaries and took 1/6 off 5 overs (2 maidens). Batting at number 7, he came in with the score on 5/71 and played an important role in helping lift the Redbacks to a match winning total of 225. Kilsyth were chasing 146 and at one stage were 7/118 before the experienced duo of Stewie and Craig Downie (55) put on 99 for the 8th wicket to secure victory.

As a right arm pace/swing bowler, “Gibby” has taken 798 senior wickets for Kilsyth (387 for the First XI) and is second on the Club’s all time total wickets list behind Bill Baldwin. Stewart has taken five or more wickets in an innings on 23 occasions (19 in the First XI), with a best bowling performance of 8/57 (First X1) in 1979/80. Stewie won the RDCA Competition Chandler 2 Bowling Average in 2001/02 (21 wickets @ 9.90) as well as Kilsyth’s 1st XI Bowling Average Award four times, 2nd XI Bowling Average twice and Fifth XI Bowling Average. He has also scored 3,465 runs with the bat (811 runs for First XI), including 4 half centuries and has a highest score of 74. In 2018/19 “Gibby” won the Fouth XI Batting Award (Average 59.67). Furthermore, Stewart has the distinction of having been not out on 180 occasions, a Club record.

In his career, Stewart has taken two hat-tricks, one for Kilsyth 1st XI when he took 3/26 against Knox Gardens (all bowled) in the 1989/90 season. He also achieved a hat-trick whilst playing cricket in England for Methley Cricket Club in 1987.

Stewie was Club Champion in 1985/86 and the won Best Club Person Award in the 1981/82 and 1988/89 seasons. He has represented the RDCA in Under 21’s plus Victoria U21’s as well as at RDCA open age level.

At the Club’s Centenary Dinner, Stewart was an Inaugural Inductee into the Club’s Hall of Fame and was selected in the Best Team of Second 40 Years in the Club’s history.

Congratulations Stewart on a wonderful sporting career and your 500th senior match for Kilsyth, a truly remarkable performance. We thank you for your marvellous contribution to Kilsyth Cricket Club both on and off the field and wish you continued success at the Club.