As a youngster Mark played his senior first game for the Union Cricket Club filing in for team as they were short of a player. Remembering the game he remarked that he was wearing his white shorts and the game had a big affect on him and his cricket. It was the start of a senior career that would last over two decades and still continues today.

As he progressed through the various grades for Union and Waitaki Boys, Mark showed a wealth of talent and a natural ability at captaincy. Upon leaving school he had been a member of the schools first XI as captain and provided an integral role in the batting order, plus a handy medium pace bowling option. Mark then returned to King George Park, this time as a regular senior player.

As time has moved on his role in team changed. Eventually he took over as the clubs senior captain and recorded a Borton Cup winning season in 1993-94, taking the clubs batting honours. He found himself being recognised regularly for some great all-round performances taking out the clubs batting honours three times during the early 90's and even the bowling once in 1995-96. Marks highest score in senior cricket came during the 1999-00 season when in a aggressive innings he scored 149 not out including scoring 30 runs of one of N Cunningham's overs. During the same season he scored 527 runs engaging in a friendly rivalry to see who would take out the clubs batting honours with long time team mate John Crombie. Crombie eventually winning the battle in a close fought contest, however Mark did take out the bowling so got his name up right next to Crombie.

In representative cricket he one of only a small number to have played 50 games for North Otago and was captain for a number of seasons. His main highlight would have been when the team travelled to Hamilton to take part in a challenge, hitting an unbeaten captains knock of 94 and batting virtually the entire first innings. He was an Otago representative at age group level.

Recent seasons have seen Mark play fewer games than before due to work and family commitments but when he does manage to play his wealth of experience and skill level stands out. During the 2008-09 Borton Cup final he combined with Glynn Cameron to produce a critical 79 run partnership that helped Union to the title and break a ten year drought. Depending on availably he should play his 200th senior game for the club in the near future. During the clubs centaury celebrations in 2009, he was selected in the 1990-2000 and 2000-2009 decade teams, an indication as to the impact he has made on Union Cricket and North Otago Cricket during his playing career. He is currently the second highest senior run scorer in the club, and is the seventh highest senior wicket taker.

He has been an administrator serving on the clubs committee as vice-president to Peter Cameron, and helping out in the various initiates that the club put in place.

Mark is one of the best players to don the Union cap in recent memory.
(Nov 2009)