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The Box Hill Church of Christ Cricket Club, originally known as Box Hill Kappa Sigma Phi, was founded in 1922 by Mr Ray Mc Intosh who originally played with Doncaster prior to the formation of the cricket club. The Club's first president was Mr J.E. Allen a Minister of the Church. The foundation members of the Club were all associated with the Club, which in those days mainly comprised members of a working class background, the area being comprised of orchards, factories and shops. The Players either rode bikes or walked to attend cricket not withstanding the distance. The first team, even though it was depression times, was immaculately attired and much pride was taken in personal presentation. All of the cricket gear used was kept in excellent condition. The team first played in O'Regans Paddock in somewhat rural surroundings. The Paddock was situated off Middlebrough Road Box Hill, adjacent to Margaret Street. There was no ground hire fees at that time or any subs paid. Box Hill KSP was renamed the Box Hill Church of Christ Cricket club in the late 1920s. The Reporter of the period mentioned a match between married and single members of the Club. In its first season of exsistance the Club played matches by arrangement against other Church of Christ men's groups & other Church Clubs. The Club began it's first season of competitive cricket in the season of 1923/24 when it became affiliated with the Eastern Suburban Churches Cricket Association and then transferred to the Box Hill Reporter Districit Cricket Association in the 1930/31 season. The Club played through out the depression, with many players cycling back miles for a Saturday game, as work was scarce. All players had to rally to Church Parades on a monthly basis until the early 1960s. The Club fielded one team which attained A Grade standard with great consistency. Ray and Murray Mc Intosh were outstanding players in the first ten years. Roy Langley, Morrie and Keith Neilson, Bob Pettifer and Gordan Gray added strength when they settled in the district. A Second Eleven of players under the age of 21 was formed after the Second World War. During Ray Mc Intosh's years as a player with the Club he was selected as a practice bowler for the Australia - England test series in 1936-37. He served as the Club's Secretary for 7 years, before becoming the Secretary for the Association holding that position for 23 years. He also served the Association in many other administrative capacities. The Mc Intosh Sheild is named after him. Also the highest award in the Association the R J Mc Intosh Memorial Trophy awarded yearly to the most outstanding person on or off the field in the BHRDCA was perpetuated after he died in 1988. His wife the late Dorothy Mc Intosh, also a Life Member of the Club, became Patron of the BHRDCA in 1988. His daughter Margaret, also a Life Member of the Club, and along with her parents were made Life Members of the Association. Margaret became Patron of the Association in 1999 and plays a very active participating role. Both Margaret & her late mother were awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 from the Commonwealth Government. Ken Bond, a Minister of the Church in the early 1970's, was an excellent wicket keeper, playing two seasons. In 1994 he was made Chaplain for Australia's Olympic and Commonwealth games members. Long serving players have been Bob Clare, Sid and Frank Barker, Eric and Bob Hammond, Gordon and Jack Gray, Ray Mc Intosh, Murray Farmer, Stephen Hockham and not forgetting the veteran Derek Minter who never failed to take wickets. The Club's first ground was very spartan. The Club has moved several times - successively to The Box Hill Sports Grounds, which was located on land now part of the Box Hill Cemetery, The Box Hill High School ground and currently Elgar Park located in Box Hill North. Expect for a short period due to the Second World War the club has played continuously since its formation, through the Great Depression & war years Since the club's formation in 1922 the club has contested 30 Senior Grade Finals, emerging Premiers on 16 occasions. |