SUTHERLAND and St George will wield the willow when batting, and the bowlers will be at full tilt in the Sydney Cricket Association Rivalry Round first grade competition on Saturday.
They will be playing for the coveted Norm O'Neill Trophy.
The 50-overs-a-side game will begin 10am at Hurstville Oval.
The late Norman O'Neill, a top batsman of his generation, played for St George and Sutherland.
Six years ago both club managements decided to honour the former Australian and NSW batsman with the first grade teams to play for a trophy in his honour.
Sutherland and St George have played for the trophy five times, with the ledger standing at Sutherland with three wins, St George with one, and one draw.
Sutherland are the current trophy holders.
There was no game in 2013-14.
St George captain Trent Copeland said there was a lot of history between the two famous clubs.
"We've played against each other so many times we've developed a healthy rivalry," he said.
Sutherland captain Nathan Fitzgerald said it was that playing history which also motivated a lot of local support.
"It's a game a lot of ex-players and supporters look forward to more than any other match," he said.
O'Neill was born at Bexley and went to Kogarah High School, the same school as legendary tennis champion Ken Rosewall.
O'Neill, who died on March 3, 2008, at age 71, played 42 Tests for Australia.
He scored 2779 runs, averaging 45.5 including six centuries and 15 fifties. At first class level for Australia and NSW the right-hander amassed 13,859 runs averaging 50.9, scoring 45 centuries and 64 fifties.
O’Neill also collected 17 Test wickets at 39.2 and 99 wickets in first class matches at 41, bowling leg-spin.
O’Neill played in the St George Green Shield under-16s’ representative side in the 1950-51 season and captained them in 1951-52.
He scored 3879 runs in first grade for Saints at 61.6, including 12 centuries in 82 innings. His highest score was 201 not out, and along with Bill Watson has the first grade, second wicket partnership record of 264 (O’Neill got 153).
‘‘Since the very first match 50 years ago when Norm O’Neill scored a century for Sutherland and St George won, these games have always been tight struggles and this year will be no different,’’ Greene said.
‘‘Norm O’Neill is a St George legend and he helped found the Sutherland Club; we are proud to honour his memory.’’
Sutherland Cricket Club historian Tom Iceton said O’Neill played 28 matches scoring 1087 runs at 37.5, including two centuries, and 168 in the club’s first match against St George.
Who will win the local derby between St George and Sutherland this Saturday?
