LODDON cricket and football legend Lionel Learmonth was back at Kingower on Saturday watching combat between teams from two towns where he achieved almost folklore status.
Learmonth, who now lives in Cohuna, made his name as one of the Upper Loddon’s fastest bowlers in Kingower’s drought-breaking 1974-75 premiership side.
He had earlier been part of Wedderburn’s North Central Football League flag side of 1970.
Veteran Upper Loddon secretary Michael Rose and Learmonth shared stories with today’s players from Kingower and Wedderburn during the afternoon tea break on Saturday.
“The fastest bowler the association has seen,” said Rose. “We won the premiership over Bridgewater and Lionel took 12 wickets for the match.
“We also had Peter Lovell in the team who was regarded as the best bowler so with the fastest and the best, we didn’t need too many other bowlers to win the first flag since 1947-48.”
Learmonth had earlier been a star with Golden Square in a 200-game football career in the Bendigo league.
Learmonth said he spent eight seasons with Kingower before moving to Cohuna where he played for another decade until retiring from cricket.
“I thought I would come down today and see the boys in action on the ground. It’s always been one of my favourites,” Learmonth said.