Chippie Marks Rare Milestone

Published on 14 January 2026 at 22:15

Blight steps out for West Ridgley for the 500th to

500 is a magical and even mythical barrier in the history of test cricket.

No batter has scored 500 in a test innings, the figure has been reached in a day on just five occasions (never under “Bazball”), twice breached by in a partnership and only once has a team scored 500 in a fourth innings.

Nine bowlers have captured 500 test wickets and, of course, only one player has passed 500 in a First Class match, the great Brian Charles Lara.

Looking more local and in Thursday’s (15 Jan 26), West Ridgley’s Trent “Tadpole” Blight will play game number 500 for his beloved Chippies in Tasmania’s Burnie Cricket League.

Many words could be used to describe Blight, who was known for his pace in his early days and while he was in his prime but in recent years he has turned into an all-rounder, batting all-rounder and has taken the gloves as he continues his amazing career.

Considered by many to be one of the most respected players in the Burnie League, Blight will reach the milestone against Riana in the BCL T20 Semi Final.

Blight’s record is a testament to his longevity, durability and character with A Grade stats including 18 five wicket hauls, six centuries and one in a T20.

Throw in 16 Burnie Cricket League representative games, four premierships and memories and Blight’s record speaks for itself.

West Ridgley Cricket Club Life Members (l-r): Darrell Hardy, Adrian King, Dale Hodgetts, Tony Denny, Anthony Armstrong, Neville Hodgetts, Brett Hodgetts. Luke Hodgetts, Allen Frankcombe, Leon White, Colin Lamprey, Trent Blight, Alister King, Willie Hodgetts, Chris Hayes, Steven Agar, Neale Hodgetts, Wayne Filluel, Andrew Walker and Noel Hodgetts.

But aside from the mountain of runs wickets and catches, 375 of his matches have been in A Grade sharing roughly 360 of them with Adrian King.

“He’s of the most underrated players in League history, And one of the all-time great teammates,” Blight said.

Blight listed King as one of the top six people to bat with along with Tom Duff, Kaylem Hardy, Luke Corbett, Colin Lamprey and Brad Clayton and one of the biggest influences on his career.

Playing against Coastal cricket luminaries like Danny Buckingham, Derek Bowden, Jeremy Leatherbarrow, Nick Granger, Lachie Bisset, Damian DeVries, Brian Good, Anthony Smith, Phil Williams and Kurt Lamprey always challenged Blight, but he is always looking to improve and compete.

“Whilst at my age it’s not possible to be the same player I was from years ago, there is always room for improvement and in my case, it was taking on the keeping and moving back up to open the bat at Kaylem’s (Hardy) request,” Bight said.

“We have a pretty clear line of communication and the day he comes to me and tells me that my A Grade days are over there will be no issue on my end.

“This is his team and I am lucky enough to be able to play a small role in it still at my age and with how much cricket I have played.

“Three years ago, I didn’t think there was much chance I would play in another A Grade flag but thought I could help shape it but here we are right in the mix with this group so that would be magnificent if that was to happen.”

So, what else keeps Blight going?

It’s seeing young player emerge despite playing with West Ridgley Black Cap 72, Anthony Armstrong who debuted in 1975 though to Brayden De Vries who was cap 252. Blight’s own number is 164.

“Playing with the group I have now has kept me young to a degree,” he said.
“They make me feel bloody old at times but just the energy of the group and the tightness of that group is brilliant to be around.

Kaylem as A Grade Captain has created an environment where people are allowed to and encouraged to be themselves and that is showing with the enjoyment the players have.

“The next generation has started to make its way into the A Grade now with Zac Burns two years into a long A Grade career as an opening bowler and Zeppelin Barnard stepping up this season into the top grade and bowling crucial overs and making some contributions with the bat.

“There is some serious talent at the club in the younger generation, and I can’t wait to see them follow the last group Thomas Walker, Leigh Hodgetts, Taylor Nash, Nick Leeson etc and build a formidable team.”

The club itself, sitting 12-ish km outside Burnie is one of two a town with genuine community spirit.

“Country Sport is vital to local communities,” he said.

“In a town with a population of less than 300 we have two cricket clubs, a footy club and a bowls club.

“What this brings the community is an outlet, somewhere where people can get together and enjoy each other’s company over a shared interest.

“Whether that is the game itself, the beers or meals afterwards or the games of crib of a Saturday Night.

“We are lucky at West to have the following that we do, one of the last country clubs that open of a Saturday night home or away game and $4.50 beers in 2026 is pretty attractive!”

As well as all the years of playing, Blight has contributed off the field as secretary, organising functions, The Baggy Black co-ordinator as well as volunteering all he can.

“I am lucky I have a very patient wife!”

Noel Hodgetts played more than 700 games for the club and 16 have reached 400 games making 500 an enormous achievement, despite times Blight thought it would not happen.

“There have been multiple times over the journey where I thought I was done,” Blight said.

“More through health issues than cricket issues.

“During the off season in 2009, I was pretty much told I would never play again with how crook I was and that was hard to hear at that stage but ended up playing round 1 with some serious work done to get there.

“When I had my bowel (most of), colon and rectum removed in 2014, I didn’t think I would get back having been too sick to play the year and a half before that.

“But again, I used cricket as a tool to get myself going again.

“Coming back from that I found I was struggling to find a role in the team as I thought I still had to be the player I was pre-illness and I just couldn’t get there and I fell out of love with the game.

“Not the club, but the sport itself.

2025/26 Burnie Cricket League Representative Team.
Back (l-r): Brady Yates, Brady Grey, Tyler Parker, Alfie Jackson, Mitch Bellinger, Nick Littlejohn, Kaylem Hardy, Alex Wynwood, Jackson Brown.

Front: Leigh Hodgetts, Brayden Hayes, Guy Grey, Trent Blight and Hayden Ives (Team Manager)

“I took on a coaching role with Auskick, and it was there that I saw kids just loving playing.

“Not winning, not dominating but just being there enjoying their mates and each other’s success and that allowed me to remember why we all started to play and love cricket.

“Since that I have enjoyed cricket more than ever.”

“I think the reality of the situation is I have played for so long because I love the club, what the club stand for, and people involved in it.

“I am still genuinely a “cricket nuffie” and I don’t think that will ever change.

“It has taken up a massive part of my life and the sacrifices made by people around me to allow this to happen are definitely not forgotten.

“I have missed weddings, birthdays, dinners, lunches, work functions, work everything you could think of if it fell on a cricket day and I appreciate the understanding that came with that.

“My wedding invitations went out to people with a caveat that you are not to miss the game just come to the reception.

“Amanda has been the one that has copped most of my cricket obsession and without her support and understanding I am not sure I would have got to 300 games let alone this many.

500 Games (l-r): Adrian King, Trent Blight and Colin Lamprey

“The biggest thing I have left to achieve in the game is to play a game with Emerson.

“Emerson is currently plying his trade in the C Grade, and the time is coming real quick where we are at a similar level so playing a game with him becomes much easier than it is currently.

“That will be a special day.”

“Out of the 500 games at West I reckon my parents have missed 20 of them at most and prior to getting too old and fragile, Nanna didn’t miss a game.

“These are all things you look back on and just know you are one of the lucky ones.

To my teammates over the journey past and present it’s been a pleasure.

“From game one to game 499 I believe there has been 129 players I have played with over that time.

“Some I have played one with, others 360 and here’s to just a few more.”

As one of the most respected cricketers on the North West Coast of Tasmania, Blight’s chance to celebrate after this game is well deserved with precious few begrudging a gentleman of the BCL the opportunity to enjoy it.

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