Tonge Cricket Club has been a member of the Bolton Cricket League since it’s inception in 1930. In the past 80 years Tonge has been one of the more successful clubs; winning 11 league titles and 6 Hamer Cup finals. In the 1990’s won 4 league titles back to back - the only club to do so!
In 1990 Ben Johnson scored the fastest 50 in 16 balls against Little Lever. The Amateur record being held by Kevin Hayes who in the same year scored 1406 runs in Cup & League matches, 1222 in League matches only; and in 1991 had the highest individual score in the league with 208 runs v Little Lever.
In 1995 Iqbal Sikander held the record for the bowler to take the most wickets in league history taking 133.
2006 was an excellent year with Adil Nasir (PRO) holding a number of records including ‘Most runs in a season’ scoring 1842, ‘Highest individual score’ of 140 or more in league & Hamer Cup matches with a score of 239* v Kearsley, ‘Most Centuries in a season’ with 9 and overall ‘The most centuries hit’ with a total of 30.
We also hold the top spot for the total number of points in 1864 matches played up to 2009 inclusive.
Tonge can also lay claim to the promoting of young players who go on and play for their Counties and Countries; Farokh Engineer (Lancashire & India). Warren Hegg (Lancashire & England) and Jason Kerr (Derbyshire, Somerset & England under 19’s).
John Roberts the long standing Tonge ‘stalwart’ giving over 40 years to club cricket has recently been acknowledged with awards at Club, League and County levels leading to being filmed by Sky Sports for a DVD to use with county training aids.
He is a Tonge man through and through from his playing days until latterly with his coaching and umpiring of club juniors, over the years he has helped a great number of youngsters to better their techniques in batting, bowling and fielding.
The last couple of years have been ‘lean’ on the major trophy front, but in 2009 were awarded the ‘Final six league matches’ trophy and the ‘Ken Worrall Sportsmanship’ trophy in 2010. This acknowledgement was a complete surprise, as 2010 was not one of the best in Tonge’s history. The club struggled through the season with a young inexperienced team.
However, looking forward to 2011; the signing of Syd de Silva as Professional, a player who has year on year improved his averages (scoring 1000 runs) for his previous club. His leadership and motivational skills, along with the inclusion of some more experienced players will hopefully lead to a more successful season. With a programme of ground and facility improvements over the past year along with the clubs commitment to promote and improve the playing and social side at Tonge, the future is looking brighter.
The club, committee, patrons and not forgetting the sponsors will drive Tonge CC forward!