DEVON Meadows Cricket Club life member Alan Tibballs won’t rule out donning the whites again, despite farewelling the game in his tribute match on Saturday.
Tibballs, 62, who now lives in Langwarrin South after selling his farm in Cardinia, decided to retire from cricket this week after playing his last match for the Panthers at Glover Reserve in F Grade cricket.
After a four-year bout with bowel cancer, the news turned for the worst recently when his doctors told him the cancer had spread to his liver, leaving him with between three and six months left to live.
“It’s been four years today (Monday) – back then they told me I had nine months, but going four years now so I’m very, very lucky,” Mr Tibballs said.
Instead of sitting on the couch and accepting the diagnosis, he did what he loved most – pulling on the Panthers’ whites to play for his beloved Devon Meadows and Beaconsfield in the West Gippsland Cricket Association.
When the club found out he was making his last appearance, the Panthers’ first XI switched venues to Junction Village Reserve so he could play his last match at the ground he played his first match at – Glover Reserve.
“It means a lot to me,” Mr Tibballs said.
“Thirty five years is a long time to play cricket – we never had a home ground to play on – we played throughout the area – so to play on the original home ground was great.”
Devon Meadows president Mick Floyd said the District side wanted to move venues to allow a club legend a fitting farewell at his home ground.
“When the idea was first floated, the first XI had no hesitation in switching venues with F Grade to give Alan a chance to play at Glover Reserve again,” Devon Meadows president Mick Floyd said.
“Alan is not only a life member of the club, he’s a legend of the club – the club’s games record holder and has been a terrific servant of the club for many decades, but more than that, he’s a fantastic bloke.”
Rolling his arm over for 0/9 from his two overs, Alan then took to the crease, making two runs before receiving a raucous celebration from both sides.
It was never particularly about the runs, averages or wickets that kept him coming back to the club season after season, but the camaraderie of his mates and the sociality that goes hand-in-hand with being a local cricketer.
“I made a few centuries and had a couple of league bowling aggregates, but the main thing was playing with my mates,” he said.
“I have always been a very social person – I didn’t play many games in the higher grades, usually played in the lower grades with the social cricketers which I’ve really enjoyed.”
Club legends came out of the woodwork to support Alan in the final match.
Panthers champions Glen Fairbrother, Paul Ladiges, Jimmy Logan, Lincoln Hepburn, Scott Nicholls and Brett Vance all donned the whites to play one last time with a good mate.
“Al’s been a mentor to so many around the club for so many years,” Mr Ladiges said.
“It’s been an honour playing with him and today (Saturday) has been a great tribute to a great man.”
Most importantly to Alan, his son Brenton also played as did his step son-in-law Scott Nicholls, while his other son-in-law Travis, couldn’t attend but had played with him for many years in the lower grades.
The full contingent of Tibballs and Tibballs supporters – his wife Judy, children Brenton, Fiona and Kirsten and step-children Ashley, Travis, Cameron and Cassie – have all been a big part of his life.
His family were in the stands, with wife Judy thankful for the club helping to organise the event and giving her husband somewhere to ply his well-known sociality.
“He he’s always been a very social person,” Judy said.
“Retired about five times, but only missed three games.
“He can’t stay away – he’ll probably be back after Christmas.
“They’ll have to carry him out of here.”
“We just want to thank the club for organising the match, with Brenton and Brash (Vance) helping out – it means a lot to see the old faces come back to play with Alan once more.”
Mr Tibballs also coached football at Pearcedale and played around the area before a ‘crook knee’ forced him to focus solely on his cricket at 31.
He retired from teaching a couple of times as well – previously teaching at Devon Meadows Primary School, Mornington and Rangebank Primary School.
Even with retirement firmly on the table, Alan refused to say this was his final match, with his love for the club evident in his desire to play if his mates need him to step up.
“If they’re ever short I’ll play,” he said.
“Never say never – if they’re desperately short I’ll make up the numbers if I’m capable.
“I’ll roll my arm over if they’re a couple short and someone breaks their ankle.”
Devon Meadows gave Mr Tibballs an emphatic send-off, defeating Beaconsfield by seven wickets with Bryce Ingram hitting 106 not out.
Devon Meadows also wanted to thank St Francis Xavier for understanding and supporting the change of venue for the District match.
