A funeral service was held just prior to Christmas at Worrigee for Kenneth James Beu, who died aged 77 years on December 14.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
His career in Shoalhaven cricket was brief but spectacular, and he held a special place in the history of the Bomaderry club.
At 21 years Ken joined Bomaderry Blues in 1961-62, and with an economical, short run-up he bowled off-cutters with plenty of shoulder, becoming a consistent wicket-taker.
His best figures during the home and away rounds were 6/11 and 5/19, both against Berry which did not feature in the final series.
On the first day of the semi-final at Bomaderry Oval, Ken took 9/68 to almost single-handedly dismiss Ex-Servicemen for 136.
That was a record analysis for a first grade semi-final which still stands more than half a century later.
The second day of the semi-final was washed out, but being minor premiers, Blues progressed to the grand final.
That was played on Nowra Showground against Milton, and coming in at number seven, Ken scored 21 to help his team post a total of 209.
When he clean bowled Milton’s first three batsmen for 12 runs between them, the result was never in doubt.
He and Harry Stokes bowled unchanged through the Milton innings, each taking five wickets as Blues won comfortably.
That was Ken’s only full season in the SDCA – he was noted playing only occasionally in 1962-63 after which his career took him away; and there were a few second grade matches with Bomaderry RSL when it had teams in the 1970s.
