United Cricket Club (Counties Manukau) Incorporated News story


" 10TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW "

29 Oct 2012

Saturday 18th October 2012

Celebrations kicked-off relatively early on Saturday morning for the band of `Old Boys` and associates that decided to brave the Breakfast Club / Registration at Murphy's Law Irish Bar,Drury.
With the formalities of registration and package distribution complete it was down to the serious stuff of renewing old friendships and walk down memory lane with the normal embellishments and exaggerations of feats and mishaps of the past...

With taxi awaiting the group moved on to the first port of call on the itinerary Patumahoe and the Mauku Cricket (the oldest cricket club in New Zealand) to watch our Senior A squad practice match against their team.
After a brief stay and of course plenty of encouragement and advice from the party to certain United players, the group departed to more taxing enterprises a short amble down the road the `Patty Pub`.
Once more stories of past matches and events of days gone by drifted around the tables (..!more lies..!) after which time was called and the taxi awaited to move (and I might add ) the very merry group to Pukekohe, Eco Light Stadium to watch the Counties Manukau Steeler's rugby team play their ITM Cup Champonship Semi - final against Southland.
With the `Bank` waiting and refreshments in hand the boys settled in for an entertaining match (Counties continuing their fine form and coming out convincing winners 48-23) With after match drinks awaiting the team hopped into the cab and back to Murphy's and the warm-ups to the main event the Anniversary Function. 

A full house of club members both past and present along with invited guests were in attendance at Murphy's Law Stage Bar in readiness for the formal part of proceedings.
 Mike Bongard (club president) welcomed all and made mention to special guests Mr & Mrs Murray Napier (CMCA President) Mr & Mrs Jim Gregan (Massey Park Life Member) Mr Gary Hamilton (United Life Member) and various guests from Mauku and Puke/Metro cricket clubs also Old Boys who had travelled long distances to be here on the night.
Gary Hamilton read out some apologies and congratulation communications received from guest who couldn't be here on the night.
Presentations to both Murray and Jim were made then Mike moved into a preamble in regards to the `Awards Of Appreciation`, these were given to key office holders that have contributed enormously over the past 10 years with the running of the club

Mrs Deb's Eatham (Secretary) Mr Tim Edmonds (Secretary/Treasurer) Mr Ian Brookes (Junior Development Officer/Senior A Manager) Mr Deepak Bhakoo (Junior Development Officer/Website Manager) Mr Adam Dunn (Treasurer)

were all honoured and presented Plaques for their service.
Then followed an award to a foundation member who was a key mover and one of the three people who helped form the United Cricket Club Mr Rick Eastham.
Gary took to the podium and gave a speech outlining Rick's dedication to the club all the sterling work that he has done and still continues to do to this day.
Rick was then asked to to come forward and receive this well earned honour Life Member of the United Cricket Club.... Congratulations Bison!

After the formalities were finished food was served and the Anniversary cake was cut by three of the now five Life members, Mr Jim Gregan,Mr Gary Hamilton and of course the newest one of this group Mr Rick Eastham.
mix and mingle and more stories from all corners of the room could be heard in a awaiting the AB'S V's Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test match due to start later in the evening.........proceedings finishing well into the wee hours.

Sunday 20 th October 2012 

11:00 am arrived and Breakfast Club revival at Murphy's Law was in session, with grey overcast and raining sky outside a collective vote of all put a halt to any cricket actives for the day.
The group then sat down and rifled through the memorabilia and old score books, a lot of ribbing and laughter could be heard as they relived all the great bowling feats and batting triumphs of the past........ and quite a few failures as well !!..
Lunch was called and around 2:00 pm the smaller than expected group gave final farewells and goodbyes.

All in all a great weekend and one many will remember for sometime......maybe till the next one in 15 years time !!

...The Paw...... 
  
 
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