Leeming Spartan Life Member and Club stalwart David Abercrombie will tomorrow play his 300th game for the Club, joining an exclusive list of just fourteen other Spartans to reach the milestone.

The 300 game mark for any sporting club is one that places the recipient in legendary status, and Abba is certainly no exception.

Dave is now into his 22nd season at the Club, and has certainly established himself as one of our most committed members.

He served on the Committee as recently as last year, putting his name and efforts to helping the Club as it entered a new era under new President Peter Coombs.

Abba (third from the back right) alongside fellow Life Members at the conclusion of the 2015/16 season.


Never one to demand attention, he has quietly gone about his business for the past two decades, always helping out where required – a quality that makes him an invaluable addition to the Club.

Dave is present at almost every function, event, or simply on Thursday and Saturday nights, and is certainly deserving of this prestigious accolade, although his liver may tend to disagree!

Debuting in 1994/95, Dave was inducted as Life Member in 2013, having been a consistent performer and contributor for the Club for a number of years.

This season alone he has 11 wickets to his name, including a three-for last week in good mate Brad Mant’s 400th game.

Never one to gloat about his own performances – and there certainly are a number of them as we list below – Abba is always more than happy to tell a story of years past about the Club or someone else’s achievements.

These traits of humility, expertise, and experience, make Dave an outstanding member of the Club, and from my own personal experience, a very good mate, and he is well deserving of his entry into the 300-Club.


Abba (second from the left) celebrating a memorable premiership in the two-day final for 2008/09 in the 6th Grade. Phoenix were all out for just 86, with Abba snaring 1/5 from his 1.1 overs. Mick Bennet (5/47) and Wayne Fontana (4/29) had done the damage early.


Abba By The Numbers:

A bowling all-rounder with nearly 350 wickets to his name, he is certainly no mug with the bat either, and is forever reliable to make a contribution to the total in the lower order.

He is also quickly approaching 4000 runs for the Club, with a personal best of an unbeaten 90 in the One Day ‘A’s in 2004.

During the Premiership season for the 6th Grade in 2008/09, he made a number of scores from opener and 3rd drop, including an unbeaten 60 from second position to carry the bat, before following it up in the second dig with 25 not out.

It was a memorable season for Abba, with 322 runs scored at an average of 27.00, and performed very well with the ball highlighted by a 6/50, his second best performance in terms of wickets for runs with the ball.

His induction as Life Member in 2013 was highly deserved for his many years service to the Club both on and off the field, dedicating countless hours to fundraisers, such as Bunnings Barbecues and last year’s Summer Raffle.

Congratulations mate on your outstanding achievement – to play 300 games anywhere, let alone at one club is hard to comprehend for most, and we look forward to celebrating tomorrow night!





D.W. Abercrombie:

Life Member Debut Season Matches Premierships
2014 1994/95 299 2

Runs Average Highest Wickets Average Best
3782 23.9 90* 347 19.1 6/28

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