Mark Patterson - classy, confident, and loyal

Caltex Week as it was known in the 1980s was a week where schoolboys from around NSW would play a week of cricket representing their school’s affiliation and compete for selection in the NSW Schoolboys Cricket team.

The teams included NSW CHS (Combined High Schools First and Seconds), NSW CAS (Combined Associated Schools). NSW GPS (Greater Public Schools) and NSW CCC (Combined Catholic Colleges).

Being from Armidale in Northern NSW there was very little intel about the other teams or even the NSWCCC for that matter. I do however remember Mark Patterson (CAS), Geoff Lovell (GPS) and Neil Maxwell (CHS) being considered the most prominent players. In my previous year it was a set of twins who went on to play 168 and 128 Test matches for Australia who were the shining lights.

December 1983 and I was fortunate to be the captain of the NSW CCC and we were playing NSW CAS at Riverview No 2 at St Ignatius College Riverview.

NSW CAS No 3 came to the crease and our quick Gerard Pratt was bowling. It was the first time I had the opportunity to watch Mark Patterson bat. After an early single Gerard pitched a full-length ball on Mark’s pads and he picked it up as clean as you’d expect but unfortunately straight into the hands of deep fine leg and he was out for one.

Why did we celebrate the wicket a little more than normal, because Patto was a gun bat.

Back Row – Michael D’Árcy (Manager), Scot Barclay, Brett Williams, Darren Mitchell, Paul Stepto, Geoff Lovell

Front Row – Glenn Breusch, Andrew Fitzhenry, Gary Lennon, Mark Patterson (captain), Anthony Pratt, Andrew Rigby, Malcolm Knox

For the next 20 or so years we played against each in Sydney Grade Cricket (NSW Premier Cricket) and it was the same reaction whenever we dismissed Patto irrespective of how many runs he’d scored.

He was without doubt surrounded by good players, but Patto’s was the wicket you wanted because he could really hurt you on the scoreboard.

We played against each other mostly, but I did get the good fortune to play several NSW 2nd XI games with Patto. I recall a very classy century at Albert Park in Melbourne against Victoria 2ndXI.

Back Row – Rodney Davison, Anthony Kershler, Richard Stobo, Wayne Holdsworth, Mark Patterson, Dick Guy (Manager)

Front Row – Geoff Milliken, David freedman, Richard Chee Quee, Martin Haywood (captain), Gavin Robertson, Paul Ryan, Warwick Adlam

A dynamic, classy and confident player who kept things simple technically. A player you liked to watch bat.

As a former wicket keeper, you tend to remember the really good balls bowled, especially wicket taking deliveries. For many years I’ve said to Patto he just knicked a straight one when former England fast bowler Phil DeFreitas got him caught behind first ball at Mosman Oval in 1988. Truth be told and I can still see the ball today. Out of DeFreitas hand it seemed to wobble both ways in the air before pitching on off stump and then seamed away beautifully to just take the outside edge.

In typical Patto style “Paul, you’ve got to be in good form to hit a ball like that.”

Patto has a terrific cricket brain and was a wonderful captain. He won two premierships as captain of his beloved Waverley/Eastern Suburbs Dolphins and captained NSW 2nd XI for several years.

He always wanted the game to move forward and was always ahead of game. He was astute and a very confident captain.

I recall in my first year as captain of St George in 1998/99 we were going through a rebuild after losing many of the 1996/97 premiership winning team.

We played Easts at Hurstville Oval and were bowled out in the first innings for something like 160. At stumps on the first day I think Easts were about 2 or 3 down for 180 or so with Paul Pritchard scoring a terrific hundred.

On the following Thursday I was thinking how the Dragons could salvage something out of the game and rang Patto to let him know we’d be keen to set the Dolphins a total for outright points if he declared.

Before I’d even finished the sentence Patto again with confidence interrupted “Paul….. we’ll score 300 hundred and bowl you guys out for 100 and win outright. See you Saturday.” They did both.

I guess it’s ok to share how proud the Dragons were to defeat Eastern Suburbs two years later in the 2000-01 Grand Final to become premiers!!

Born in Dubbo in regional NSW, Patto was educated in his senior years at Cranbrook School in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

It didn’t take him long to excel in Cricket as he made the Schools First XI.

Cranbrook 1983

Back Row - Phil Sinclair, Peter Lovitt, Troy Warfield, James Bush, Gus McRitchie

Front Row - Mark Patterson, Chris Lane, Will Vicars (Captain), Peter Roebuck (Coach), Pat Crammond, David Ulm, Anthony Tobin 

Cranbrook 1984

Back Row – Peter Roebuck (Coach), Will Corkill, Nick Newton, David Manchee, Alex McDade, Skander Malcolm

Front Row – James Moir, Phil Sinclair, James Bush, Mark Patterson (Captain), Troy Warfield, Peter Lovitt, Andrew Jones

Patto made his first-grade debut for Waverley Cricket Club on 15 December 1984 and in 329 innings he scored 9,681 runs at an average of 31.43. He hit 14 centuries and 46 half centuries.

He is a proud Life Member of the Club and in March 2020 was selected in the Waverley/Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club team of 125 years. 2 wonderful accolades for a loyal one club player.

Mark Patterson played 3 first class games for NSW scoring 125 runs at an average of 25 and highest score of 46. He played 4 one day games for NSW scoring 144 runs at an average of 36 and highest score of 62.

As a teammate and leader Patto had a major influence in the following premiership for Waverley/Eastern Suburbs

• 1991-92
• 2003-04 – Captain
• 2003-04 One day Competition – Captain

1991-92

Back Row – Paul Riik (Manager), Lee Kirk, Greg Small, David Boden, Peter Lovitt, Greg Matthews, Gordon George (Scorer), Bob Horsell (President)

Front Row – Mark Pratt, Kyle Thompson, Mark Patterson, Paul Prichard, Darren Kingdon, Malcolm Marshall, Gareth Townsend

Patto front and centre celebrating

Michael O’Connell (Manager); Adam Ezekiel (12th  Man); Kyle Thompson (Coach); Peter Lovitt (Vice President); Kirk Powell; Paul Byrom, Nick Berry, Josh Holt, Adrian Tucker, Will Somerville, Bob Wilson (Secretary); Bob Horsell (President)

Jeff Cook, Justin Dery, Michael Maclennan, Mark Patterson (Captain), Jason Swift, Andrew Jeffrey, Brad Haddin 

Patto also served several years on the NSW selection panel. Again, an indication of how astute a judge he is of cricket and players.

Mark Patterson is a much-loved team mate and popular across NSW Premier Cricket. Let’s hear from a few of his peers.

Peter Lovitt

“Mark and I met in February 1979 at the first training session of the U13A’s Cricket Team.

It has been a long, close, loyal and enjoyable friendship of nearly 45 years ever since.

Much of this time has been centred around the great game of cricket. Of course, with that in between have been many entertaining social activities to support such a long time in cricket together in only a way cricket social life can do!

Mark had a distinguished and loyal cricket career at Waverley/Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club. His commitment to his cricket club and indeed his local community has been forward standing.

He is a Life Member of Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club and he was named in the club’s Team of 125 Years at the club’s recent 125 years Anniversary. Mark is also a multiple 1st Grade Premiership winning Captain.

He had a batting skill set that at times was on a par with the some of the greats of the game in New South Wales. He has a very advanced knowledge and understanding of cricket and has a great passion in helping and advising younger pathway cricketers of all abilities and skill, whilst at the same time being a great reference to experienced higher level cricketers too.

There are no borders with Mark. One minute rubbing shoulders with the elite of Sydney to the next minute helping any cricketers on the quest to master this game.

Here we are in 2023, and how time moves quickly, Mark and I now sit where our parents once did at Waverley Oval, this time watching Mark’s two sons Ned and Oliver take on their cricket careers . It is surreal.

We can only hope that Ned and Oli derive the same amount of enjoyment, skill and success as their father did over the years. Mark was very good!”

Back Row – Jack Wilson (Manager), Justin Kenny, Jason Horn, Steve Liggins, Richard Stobo, Gavin Robertson, Stephen Funnell, Glenn Tobin, Ted Cotton (Coach)

Front Row – Mark Patterson, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Mark England (Captain), Brad McNamara, David Moore, Mark Waugh

Greg Geise

Patto came into 1st grade very young, he adapted to 1st grade quickly, gifted fieldsman and had great hands for catching. Batting, he saw the ball early and had the confidence to play his shots. His record at East's speaks for itself. Champion player and a terrific person who was a pleasure to have in the side.

Kyle Thompson

I first met Mark (Banjo, Patto, Beepa the Owl) Pattison when I walked into the Waverley 1st Grade dressing room for the first time in 1985/86. He was a year or two older than me and we were comfortably the youngest two in the room. Nevertheless, even then there was a presence about him in regard to being in a dressing room or indeed on a cricket field whether fielding or batting.

From that moment on, I played the most significant amount of my cricket with him either in the team or leading the team. He first captained me in the Waverley Poidevin Gray team that made the final in my first year at the club. Even in these younger and formative years he did an amazing job in getting a group of young blokes together and headed in the same direction. This team became the core of the team that won the premiership in the early 2000s.

On a personal level he made me feel like an important member of any team he captained, always clear in what he wanted from you and others, and at the same time letting you own your own plans and ideas as well. This experience playing under him in that competition was one of the most enjoyable in my time playing. Lots of chat and ideas, lots of positivity, and a good time on and off the field.

For me, his captaincy was a standout. Throughout my time playing with him at Waverley/Eastern Suburbs I felt like he instilled a belief and a positivity in me and those in the team as a whole. He let you have your head with what you wanted to do but managed also to direct, redirect, and motivate. I found I wanted to play for and with him. He never let the game drift (maybe the gambler in him??) and his plans were clear. I felt like he also gave you responsibility if you were up for it, allowing you to develop along the way. Along with never letting things drift, he was often in front of what was going on with the other sides and indeed in our own room. Proactive, aggressive (we’ll get to his batting), and looking for ways to win. It is no coincidence that he led the club to two premierships – that probably says it all. I think I played my best cricket under Mark and his time leading the club was incredibly successful due to the expectations and standards he set, whilst at the same time enjoying what we were doing.

As a player, he was talented. Maybe sometimes too talented (if that’s a thing) which gave him options galore. He had a great pair of hands – I don’t recall any catches going down that came his way (and I would remember them), whether in the cordon or in the ring.

He could bat. He was aggressive, and one could say at some points, in the extreme. He took the game to the bowlers and would look to take the game away from other teams. I recall batting with him against UNSW one day and we were in early trouble at 4 for not many. He brought up his hundred before lunch and in between overs asked me if anyone had scored 300 in a day…..always thinking ahead. I also remember locking myself in the dressing room one day so I didn’t have to ride the rollercoaster of being next in as he was going after an attack at Waverley Oval. In all seriousness though, he could do things most couldn’t and was one of the first to play a modern brand of cricket as a top order batter – again looking forward. His record at Easts demonstrates this through the amount of runs he scored and the way he scored them. Not always on a great wicket or fast outfield. Could have played more at a higher level? Definitely. His influence at Premier Cricket level was that of someone coming from a higher level and arguably as significant as anyone, especially at Waverley/Eastern Suburbs.

The only thing average about Beepa was his off spin.

Life member, Team of the last 125 years, one club player, and still connected and mates with those he played with back in the day. I feel privileged to have shared a dressing room, the field and some partnerships with him. He made me a better player and coach. And he made playing for and with him great fun and not to mention successful. A true legend of Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club.

Jason Swift

MW Patterson, great bloke & the best captain I ever played under. He knew how to manage the boys to get the best out of them, read the game really well and caught pigeons at slip. Talented batter played situations well and could score at a rate when he wanted to. Won a one-day game I think from memory needing 5 runs off the last ball at Pratten Park by stepping across his stumps and flicking the ball over fine leg for 6 and the boys went crazy! 

He gave me a rocket before the semis in 03/04 - it was a game changer, because my head was in the bush! 

MW is one of the great blokes, truly gave his everything to the team. He played the game hard but fair always invited the opposition to the back room for a beer. 

Top man.

Back Row – Ted Cotton (Coach), Martin Wood, Paul Stepto, Peter McLay, Gavin Robertson, Steve Funnell, Jack Wilson (Manager)

Front Row – Kevin Tuite, Chris Shelley, Glenn Breusch, Mark Patterson, Justin Kenny (Captain), Andrew Millican, David Niu, Geoff Lovell

David Hourn

I was an aging spin bowler when Patto came into First Grade as a 17-year-old. He played some amazing innings and aggression was the hallmark of he’s game.

He had a great technique and could dominate any attack.

He’s career was affected by the poor Waverley Oval wicket and more importantly the incredibly slow outfield that persisted for most of he’s career. He’s career average on a decent ground would have been more than 40 and he would have played many more games for NSW but for the very poor conditions we all had to put up with for more than 15 years until Green Options took over as the Ground Curators.

Phil Emery

Patto, very talented no fuss player. A good sportsman in general, also a fine rugby player. 

Hit the ball hard and liked to attack. 

Had a good array of shots. 

He had a very quiet measured approach to his game and a good understanding of the game in general, always thinking of ways to score or to get an opponent out. 

As a teammate Patto was great to play with, probably didn’t play as much for NSW as he would’ve for another state or in another period. 

Quietly confident and not out of his depth against good players. 

As an opponent, great to play against. 

Always competitive and often successful, played the game always in the right spirit and great to have a beer with, then and now. 

Cricket aside, great bloke, good company and loved a punt! 

He’s also a very good judge of a player. 

Back row - Mark Patterson (Captain), Phil Weatherall, Andrew Fitzhenry, Darren Mitchell, Richard Fry, Paul Steptoe, Neil Maxwell, Andrew Martyr

Front row - Jason Penrose, Chris Killen, Scott Prestwidge, Jamie Bray, Scott Hookey 

Mike Whitney

Patto got in the NSW side just after I retired. I did play a few grade games against him and bowled to him at State practice! Fine player! Could bat for a long time and had a good array of shots! Could accumulate runs but was all over bad bowling and valued his wicket! Great bloke off the field who enjoyed all aspects of ‘after the game!!!!!’

Richard Stobo

Patto was a terrific player, and an even better bloke. We first played each other at school in about 1981 or 1982, and then played together in the CAS side and U19s. Patto was a seriously talented batsmen, and tough - we always felt he was the key to the Waverley/Easts innings, and if we could knock him over cheaply, things could open up. So we always went pretty hard at him, and he copped the best we had to offer. I also respect a one-club man, as well as anyone who breaks an Alan Kippax record.

Finally, the fact Patto played rugby for New South Wales, as well as cricket, puts him into a rare and select group, and I can’t imagine it will ever happen again.

One of the good guys.

Patto and his great mate Brad Haddin

Greg McLay

I played some 2nd XI with Patto. Loved playing with him. Never had a lot of joy bowling against him though. Such a simple approach to batting and that’s why he made it look easy when he played. Excellent game sense and the type of bloke who was a calming influence on any group he played with, irrespective of the situation of the match. Top shelf banter off the field as well!! 

David Gainsford

Patto and I grew up not far from each other in the central west of NSW. Patto was well known for being a talented sportsman at both Cricket & Rugby Union. 

We played Cricket against each other a lot in Sydney. He was talented, competitive, loyal to his club and mates , were just some of his many traits. 

Always up for a challenge then always a beer after the game. A better bloke would be hard to find. 

Wayne Holdsworth

Always enjoyed my battles with Mark, he was a real competitor and always a challenge. I would have to say I think he won a lot more than he lost when we played against each other.

Patto’s interest in the game has heightened even more as his two boys Ned and Oliver have both made promising starts to their careers with Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club. We wish them both well.

Mark Patterson - classy, confident, and loyal. Well played mate.

Mark with Ned and Ollie when Eastern Suburbs won the Green Shield competition in 2019-20