Technical Cricket Club Overcomes Adversity

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28256, 18 April 1957, Page 15

Technical Cricket Club Overcomes Adversity

rpHE convincing victory of the Technical Old Boys’ first team in the second B grade of the Canterbury Cricket Association’s competitions will support its claims for further promotion next season. In winning the grade by the big margin of 27 points from Lancaster Park, the team won all its games.

Since the war, the club has had its ups and downs. In the first two years after the war its top team was in the senior grade, then it was relegated to the second A grade with West Old Boys. Since then, it has been a continual struggle to regain a position in the senior grade. A few years ago the club was relegated as far as the second C grade. In 1953-54 it won that grade, and started on the road

upwards. For the next season, both Technical Old Boys and University were promoted to the second B grade. For that season and the next, the team was runner-up in the grade, first to Marist and then to University. This season, the team has realised its ambition of winning the second B grade, and is now in line for further promotion. More Players The strength of the club in general has grown with its playing success in the last few seasons. The number of teams entered in the competitions has increased from two in 1953-54 to four last season. These teams, in second B, second C, President’s and third B grades, all met with a fair measure of success. Membership has grown greatly in the last two seasons after the club’s successes on the field. The members of the club are drawn from former pupils of the Christchurch Technical College and any other Technical College in New Zealand, and members of the night school. The club’s playing fields and facilities will bear comparison with those of any other club in the city. The grounds at Ensor’s road are well cared for, and the new pavilion, which replaces the one burnt down three years and a half ago, is one of the best in the city. This pavilion, built by the club in conjunction with the college, is a brick building with a score box on top, and includes a modern cafeteria. Young Team The club’s winning team in 1956-57 was full of promising younger players, who were coached by M. B. Poore. A memy ber of the club was chosen for the Canterbury Brabin Cup team for the first time, and, of the regular members of the top team, only two were more than 21. This side shows plenty of promise, and, with such good facilities and club spirit, the Technical Old Boy’s Club would seem to have a most successful future.