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THE HISTORY OF NEW VICTORIA CRICKET CLUB
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NEW VICTORIA CRICKET CLUB
A BRIEF HISTORY (1902 - 2008)
Tracing the clubs' history is like researching a family tree - there are name changes, periods of inactivity and affiliation. The Victoria Methodist Church in Sussex Road was the base for a team which used the name Blowick Wesleyan C.C and began in 1902, playing friendlies. They joined the Southport League in 1903 and had two teams which played at a ground on Norwood Avenue. They were not included in the League for 1909 but at least nine of their players reappeared under the name of Blowick in 1910, playing at Ash Lane (Haig Avenue). Some of the younger players had graduated from the Blowick School team of 1901. This club played it's last match on 31st August 1911, when it defeated Derby Road by 26 runs to finish as runners up in Division 2. There were junior matches played by the church in 1914 but it was not until three years after the First World War finished that a senior team was restarted.
Blowick Wesleyan C.C was reformed in 1921 and played two friendly matches against Southbank Road Wesleyans. The Warrington family (George - the son- John - the father and Tom - the grandfather) were founder members, along with Arthur Mawdsley. George and Arthur were to play for the club through to the Victoria Methodist era of the 1940's. Only E.Dutton survived from 1912 which is not surprising given the death toll in the War.
In 1922 the club joined the Southport and District Amateur Cricket League and with the exception of 1938 (no ground) and the World War Two years, it's successors have been members ever since. In 1930 Blowick Wesleyan won the Division 3 Championship and in 1933 they changed their name to Blowick Methodist C.C to conform to changes within the Methodist Church. Through this period they played on a variety of grounds beginning at Fisher Drive and ending at Scarisbrick New Road in 1937. They could not fined a ground for 1938 and did not play again until after the 1939-1945 War.
After World War 2 Harold Stevenson, a Sunday School Teacher at the church and Southport Visiter photographer, helped to get the club going again. At a late stage it was decided to change the name to Victoria Methodists and they began again in 1946, firstly on Princes Park and from 1947 on Meols Cop Park. In 1952 Bob Metcalfe arranged the name change to New Victoria, after a disagreement with the church over holding raffles to raise funds. Home games were still played on Meols Cop Park but in 1953 we moved to Crossens Recreation Ground were we have remained ever since.
A 2nd Xl was started, playing friendly matches, in 1953 and a Junior team was set up in 1956 and were founder members of the Junior League in 1961. The 1st Xl gained promotion in 1958 after being runners up in Division Two with Rufford and the 2nd Xl were eventually allowed into the League in 1961.
In 1967 the 2nd Xl were Division 3 Champions and in 1989 a double was achieved with the 1st Xl winning Division 3 and the 2nd Xl Division 5. 1995 saw the 1st Xl win Division 3 and another championship double was clinched in 1999 ( 1st Xl - Division 3 and 2nd Xl Division 5).
Post War records - 1st Xl highest score 251 for 7 v St.Phillips (1988) , lowest score 10 v Halsall (1954)
2nd Xl 317 for 5 v Hesketh Bank 2nds (1985) 6 v English Electric (1966)
1st Xl batting Peter Hames 145 v St.Philips (1989) bowling -Stephan Schenck 10-50 v Hesketh Bank (2005)
2nd Xl batting Alec Carter 146 v Hesketh Bank 2nds (1985) bowling - Martin Doran 9 for 17 v Aughton 3rds (1989)
The junior section has fluctuated over the years but it began again in 1993 and has run continuously ever since. In the current decade it has been developed to cater for Under 9's, 11's, 13's, 15's, 18's. In 2005 the Under 11's achieved a Junior League and Cup double, going on to reach the Lancashire Under 11 Cup quarter finals.
Lancashire Cricket Board and E.C.B 'Clubmark' status has been achieved. In 2007 a successful development tour was arranged to Bulgaria.
The research into the early years of the club is ongoing and this page will be updated as information is found.
As the club discovers scorebooks from the past the aim is to include some of these below.
To start with are the scoresheets from the two highest individual scores for the 1st X1 and 2nd X1.
Peter Hames 145 not out v St Phillips 1989
1st X1 Scoresheet
Alec Carter 146 not out v Hesketh Bank 3rd X1 1988
2nd X1 Scoresheet
More........
Tony Alexis 143 not out v Aughton 2000
1st X1 Scoresheet
Stephan Schenck 10-50 v Hesketh Bank 2004
1st X1 Scoresheet
Steve Hawksworth 9-32 v Southport Trinity 3rds 1999
1st X1 Scoresheet
Martin Doran 9-17 v Aughton 3rds 1989
2nd X1 Scoresheet
If you have any suggestions on individual or team performances that you would like to see the scoresheet again, please email newvic2@hotmail.com and we can see if we can find it.
If you have any memories, photo's or anything you would like to be included on the web site, please email newvic2@hotmail.com