This is probably the most historic trophy in Australian bowls.
A glorious example of the silversmith’s art; it was given by Mark Moss, President of the Victorian Bowling Association from 1881 1893, to mark the first inter-colonial match between Victoria and New South Wales, the match out of which the NSWBA and the VBA were born.

Mark Moss himself was one of the Victorian Skippers in the first inter-colonial match ever at Annandale, Sydney on April 14th 1880. The match was won by Victoria. It was the direct cause of the formation on May 22nd 1880 of the NSWBA, the first bowling association in the world, followed in July 1880 by the formation of the VBA, the second oldest.

Mark Moss’ great benefactions and administration had the effect of focusing attention on the VBA and paved the way for its later acceptance as the one governing body of bowls in Victoria.The return match was then played on the Melbourne Club green at Windsor on November 5th 1880. Victoria won again. The 20 Victorian players, having won the trophy, then played off for it. It was won by P.J. Murphy for Richmond Union. It is now the property of the Richmond Union Bowling Club, having been presented to the club on 10th February 1882.

On the eleventh of November, 1868, the Councillors of Richmond played a match against the Brighton Councillors on the green of Hardam’s Court House Hotel, Brighton, and the pleasure they derived from the game brought home to them the desirability of a bowling green for the people of Richmond.

In April, 1869, an application for a site at the rear of the new Town Hall then being erected in Bridge Road was granted, and a green was laid down there. The Richmond Union Bowling Club was opened on the 2nd November, 1869.

The Green believed to be of two rinks originally then gradually expanded with a Ladies Club formed in 1924 with a green of 10 rinks, and all rinks electronically lighted for night play, but following a fire in 1973 in the wooden clubhouse, the present clubhouse was erected in 1974 and officially opened on the 28th May 1974.

In the interim the Ladies clubhouse and tents were used. The first interclub match played by Richmond Union was against Fitzroy on the latter green on the 10th December 1869, when Fitzroy won by 195 to 81. That fist crushing defeat did not annihilate the Richmond Club or its players, as the subsequent statement will prove. In 1878, A.E. Butler, of this club, won the competition which is now the V.B.A. Singlehanded Championship and in 1880 he repeated the performance.

In 1881 R. Mitchell was runner-up, and in 1883 he won it, as he did again in 1886. In 1882 G. Bleach was runner up for the title. In 1888 Walter Nation won it. (The rink monumental scoreboard on the Wal Thomson green was erected in honour of Walter Nation in 1895 who also was a notable Richmond citizen who tragically died in a swimming accident at the age of 41. The titled walkway of the monument is believed to be at the original level and position of the green which had no ditches in those days.

The Richmond Bowling Club was founded in late 1868, predating the Richmond Union Bowling Club. Both Richmond and Richmond Union Bowling Clubs were foundation members of the Victorian Bowling Association formed in 1880. Both of these clubs never agreed to an amalgamation although Richmond Club closed in 1894.

Richmond Union Bowling Club: 2 Gleadell Street Richmond 3121
Telephone: (03) 9428 1951
Fax: (03) 9428 5437
Email: bookings@rubc.com.au