Mike Dormer insisted that cricket wickets, like male hairstyles, were “short back and sides”. The man who could deliver on both was hairdresser by trade and grounds curator at Burnside Park – Vincent Cusack. So when we started in 1994 it was a real coup to obtain Vince as square supervisor along with Peter Devlin on grounds. What a team; both tireless in their endeavours to produce pitches which brought a rich bounty of runs. Pitches that were to win justifiable praise from those with serious turf culture credentials.
Vince gave 18 years’ service to The Willows. Whether the job was to re-lay, re-level or extend the block to eight pitches Vince was our go-to for advice. Add in the vagaries of the weather but throughout Vince remained cool under pressure. On match day, along with wife Grace, he would often mosey out to the ground, park up under a tree and enjoy battles on the turf he had so carefully tended. It was a bonus when son Darin was in the runs, something he had a penchant to do. Thank you Vince – loyal servant of our game.