Older members of the Shoalhaven cricketing fraternity were saddened to learn of the death at Dalmeny on June 24 of Theodore Horace Schutz, aged 74 years.
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Making his debut with Tomerong in 1957-58, Theo spent six years with the club, playing either second grade or A reserve where he showed promise as a bowler.
Recognising his potential, the association selectors included him in the Shoalhaven under 21 representative squad for three consecutive seasons.
However his career appeared to have ended early in the 1960s when his left arm was severed above the elbow while working at a Tomerong sawmill.
Determined to continue in the sport, he found a way to become an effective cricketer, and had a season with Nowra Warriors before joining Ex-Servicemen at the end of the decade.
Making his debut in first grade against Bomaderry, Theo came in last and scored 17 of a partnership of 45 which enabled Bill Kerr to reach his century.
He eventually settled into the second grade combination which finished as runner-up.
That was the first of four grand finals with Ex-Servo seconds – victory coming in 1970-71, while he was captain the following season.
Batting with his right hand, there were occasional scores in the 30s, but Theo’s bowling was at its best in 1972-73 when he took 46 wickets at 13.2, including two matches when he took 10 or more wickets.
His last game was the 1973-74 grand final, after a season that produced four bags of four wickets.
Representing his club at association meetings, he served three years as vice-president.