NEW ZEALAND KINDRED CUP WRAP:

A Brass Band, DJ, Helicopter, Air Show, Jeremy Coney and a stunning venue were the highlights of a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful New Zealand Kindred Cup weekend.

Polo has Urban Polo entertaining many patrons during the summer months but cricket took one step closer to creating their own Urban Cricket as 12 clubs from around New Zealand again competed for the highly sort after Kindred Cup. Each year the quality of cricket goes to another level and this year was no different. However, it was The Willows Cricket Club from Canterbury that reign supreme as they lifted aloft the Kindred Cup for a 4th time. Congratulations to our South Island friends who Seddon Cricket Club have a great deal of respect for.

Games were played at Horton Park and Black Cottage Cricket Ground, in Blenheim, over two arduous days. The 12 teams are split into four pools of three teams. Friday’s games (Day 1) were pool games to decide who advances though to the Cup Semifinals, Trophy Semifinals and Plate Semifinals. All play-off games were played on Saturday (Day 2) morning with the winners going through to their respective final in the afternoon.

To enter the tournament teams must meet a certain criteria. Playing whites, traditional cricket caps, blazers, ties, and dress shirts are an important part of the Kindred Cricket identity. Using cricket as the platform to forge lifelong friendships is also one of the priorities at this tournament. It is one of the best networking forums in NZ! There is no judicial system. Very seldom are there disagreements and if there is it is sorted out using the method of common sense and good will.

All teams and their supporters were superbly hosted by the home club, United Country and Vineyard Cricket who are based at Black Cottage Oval. Black Cottage Oval is a private ground owned by cricket enthusiast, David Clouston. The ground is wonderfully situated in the midst of his Two Rivers of Marlborough vineyard just on the outskirts of Blenheim township. It was a glorious location for what will go down as the best NZ Kindred Cup to date.

Jeremy Coney was the guest speaker on Friday night. He was at his articulate and humorous best for the occasion. He had people in fits of laughter throughout his 90 minutes keynote speech.

Thank you to all the players and supporters that attended this event. Kindred Cricket is alive and well in our country and long may it continue.

Final Standings:

CUP:

The Willows Cricket Club (Canterbury)

North Shore Cricket Club (Auckland)

United Country & Vineyards Cricket Club (Marlborough)

Wellington Wanderers Cricket Club (Wellington)

TROPHY:

Haberdashers Cricket Club (Manawatu)

Greytown Cricket Club (Wairapa)

Seddon Cricket Club (Waikato)

Ocean Beach County Cricket Club (Hawkes Bay)

PLATE:

Wanaka Old Boys (Central Otago)

Clifton County Cricket Club (Hawkes Bay)

Queens Street Cricket Club (Auckland)

Kaimai Cricket Club (Bay of Plenty)