With local club cricket taking a break over the Christmas period, attention turned in many areas to alternative forms of cricket, which are often associated with the festive period.

It was during this time that New Zealand's premier backyard cricket tournament, the Tonbridge Two's was held. Participants travel from all parts of the country to play in the event, while this year three returned early from a holiday in the USA as not to miss out.

The Tonbridge Two's tournament has been running for the past twelve years and is now well established as an annual event in Christchurch each summer. The idea of the tournament came from local cricketer Tony Milne and a group of friends who proposed the idea of a full day of backyard cricket, in association with the Christmas/New Year holiday as it was a chance to play some cricket and get together with friends. A Black Tie gala night is also held in conjunction with the tournament on the night before play. Guest speakers have included such names as Warwick Taylor.

Historically the competition has attracted between 10 and 20 teams and 2001 was no exception, with 11 teams entering. Two pools (one of five and one of six) were arranged and after ten hours of cricket it was the President (Tony Milne) and Treasurer (Andrew Smith) of the Tonbridge Lawn Cricket Club who took the spoils. The victory was popular amongst the large crowd, which had amassed by the time of the final.

This years venue was in Eastern Terrace, other venues have included Tonbridge Street (original venue), the Rose Bowl (Rose Street), the Brittain Street Oval and the GSCG (Geraldine Street Cricket Ground). A handsome Oak trophy is up for grabs for competition winners, while a pilgrimage is made to the original venue (Tonbridge Street) to collect shavings to scatter on the pitch before play.

Serious stuff.

© Canterbury Cricket Association