Muriel Pennal has many roles with the Temuka CC and as well as being the dedicated scorer each week, she has also written a history of the Temuka Cricket Club, to bring everyone up to date. She has previously collaborated in writing the history of South Canterbury cricket, and you can be assured of a good read with our own book.
This page will have excerpts from the various eras in our history and in many cases photos too.
1. The Early Years & Inauguration
In March 1863 one of the first games of cricket was played in the South Canterbury area between the Timaru Club and a team from Arowhenua. Arowhenua scored fifty, to win by an innings. As Arowhenua was the original name for Temuka, or more precisely, that area east of the railway line, we must presume that this is the first report of a team playing a major game of cricket in the Temuka area.
It was not until 1884, however, that the Temuka Cricket Club came into being as a separate body, hence the 125th Jubilee of the club being celebrated this year 2009.
In September of 1884, a meeting was called in the Wallingford Hotel (sited at south-east corner of King and Commerce Streets) for Saturday 20th by a Mr J J Heap. All those in favour of starting a cricket club were requested to attend.
Following that September meeting at which Mr Heap was obviously trying to judge the depth of interest currently in the game at Temuka, a further meeting was held a month later. It was at this meeting held on 20 October, 1884, again at the Wallingford Hotel, and attended by 10 interested persons, that the Temuka Club was formed … read more
2. The Early 1900’s & War Years
Cricket’s following in the town around the turn of the century was quite strong. Prominent administrators included Dr Hayes, Mr W H Reeves, Dr Crawshaw, Mr Harbage and Mr Thos Buxton, MP.
Annual meeting reports of the club tell of pleasant and profitable seasons of cricket. The club remained healthy financially, increased steadily in membership, and the game developed to a wide extent in the town.
By now the Oval was becoming the principal cricket ground in the area. The use of heavy rollers and regular top dressing ensured that the Oval ground was generally in good condition. Canterbury played South Canterbury at Temuka in 1898-99 and again in 1902-03.
The strong following that cricket enjoyed in the early and mid 1920’s, as evidenced by the visit by the MCC team in 1923, began to decline somewhat towards the end of the decade.
The principal cause for the decreasing membership was found to be the half holiday question. The fact that the public half holiday was recognized on a Thursday prevented many players from participating in the Saturday matches and in 1928 the club became defunct.
In 1930 a meeting in Chapman’s tearooms led to a club being formed again … read more
3. The Post War Years
In 1945, with peace in the land and the feeling of freedom, relief and hope in the air, the nation set upon its peacetime activities again. Along with the baby boom, industry and rehabilitation and other post-war phenomena, sport flourished also.
Cricket lovers in Temuka set about to play and promote the sport here once more … read more
4. 1970 – 1984
In the 1970s an upsurge in cricket occurred mainly to an influx of keen new cricketers to the town along with renewed interest from long-standing members. This lead to a strength in both club numbers and performances that would continue for some seasons.
Schoolboy cricket began again and on Tuesday evenings the Oval was packed with keen young players, many of whom emerged as fine cricketers within a decade.
Before long Temuka had two afternoon and two morning schoolboy teams playing … read more
5. The Centennial
The Centennial was a triumph for the Temuka CC after 100 years of ups and downs and varying levels of strength and recess … more here
6. The Tailenders – The Last 25 Years
(coming soon)
