Local cricket umpires, Pat Kerin and Graham Moon, have recently celebrated their 700th match. Both umpires stood in the Bradman Cup carnival in the Albury border region at the beginning of January.
Graham was the first to reach 700 matches and stood with Doug Sandry from Dubbo on Day One of the Bradman Cup carnival at Alexandra Park in East Albury, where Riverina defeated Central North by four wickets.
Pat’s 700th match came on the last day of the carnival. Again, Doug Sandry had the honour of standing, as the pair officiated at Bunton Park North Albury as Central North defeated Southern Districts by 31 runs.
Before the match commenced at Bunton Park, players from Central North and Southern Districts formed a guard of honour for Pat (very moving).
Pat joined the New South Wales Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association [NSWCUSA] in 2003 and became a full member the following year. Since 2003-04, Pat has umpired in several competitions in the Cootamundra region. In September 2004, he led the reformation of the Cootamundra CUA and has held the position of Secretary Treasurer since reformation [20 seasons]. In 2005, Pat was appointed RCZ umpires representative and held this position until July 2024.
Between 2009-10 to 2020-23; Pat stood in ten second-grade matches of NSW Premier Cricket
Graham joined NSWCUSA in 2003 and became a full member in 2004. He spent 10 years as president of Cootamundra CUA 2004-05-2014-15 before moving to live at The Rock and officiating in the Wagga Wagga DCA. Graham has stood in a number of Country Plate carnivals highlighted by standing a record seven Country Plate finals from 2008 -09 to 2016-17, plus one Country Cup final in 2015-16.
Graham has stood in five second grade matches in NSW Premier Cricket.
However, Graham’s biggest highlight was in the 2020-21 season, standing on the Sydney Cricket Ground with Neil Smith in a Plan B Big Bash final.
At the 2020-21 NSWCUSA AGM both Pat and Graham had their NSWCUSA membership upgraded to Principal membership.
Early in their umpiring career in the 2003-04 season, Pat and Graham stood in the last played-out Merrin Cup final at Albert Park where the Coota Hotel defeated the Central Hotel by 220 runs. The match concluding at 2.00pm on the fourth day.
Locally, Pat continues to umpire in the South West Slopes Cricket League.
Moving to live at Stockinbingal in 2022, Graham continues to stand in the Cricket Wagga competition.
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