|
On Wednesday August 8th 1934, a group of 17 men gathered at the Light Pass School building to discuss the formation of a cricket club in Light Pass. The 17 present were L S Plush, C A Verrall, F Sporn, B Semmler, T Gerlach, A Semmler, B Sporn, G Boehm, A Kurtz, V Mader, F Boehm, D Boehm, R Hahn, C Mader, H Boehm, K Boehm and W Koop.
Mr C. A. Verrall was elected to the chair and agreed to take the meetings minutes. Mr L. S. Plush addressed the meeting outlining the reason for the meeting being called, and advised the assembly of the procedure to be adopted in forming the cricket club.
Various means of finance were discussed and it was decided that for the first year a membership fee of one pound be set to defray expenses. A sub-committee consisting of L.S. Plush, V. Mader, B. Semmler, G. Boehm, and T. Gerlach was elected to approach local landowners with a view to obtaining permission to lay down a cricket pitch and to report back on the number of financial members that were obtainable. The meeting was then adjourned until the 15th of August 1934.
On the 15th August 1934, a foundation meeting was held at the residence of Mr C. A. Verrall. Mr Verrall occupied the chair. The sub-committee elected at the previous meeting reported back that they had obtained permission to lay down a pitch on the property of Mr Jack Hahn. It was considered to be ideally situated along the willow lined banks of the North Para River, with a level and well grassed field to be used as the playing arena. It was also reported that Mr Ben Boehm had offered to superintend the laying down of the pitch free of charge. Mr Boehm would also give free use of his machinery and appliances for that purpose. On the further report of the sub-committee regarding the financial commitments being satisfactory it was decided to proceed with the laying of the pitch and the procurement of cricketing material. Mr L.S. Plush agreed to oversee the purchase of all materials. The membership fee was fixed at one pound with a 5/- fee for juniors under 16 years of age. The following positions were then elected: Captain: Mr L.S. Plush
Vice-Captain: Mr V. Mader
Secretary: Mr F. Boehm
Committee: Mr B. Semmler and Mr T. Gerlach
Auditor: Mr J.F. Jacob Mr S. Plush was elected patron and it was left to the secretary to approach interested parties with a view to accepting the office of Vice-President.
An initial effort was planned on Saturday 18th August 1934 to complete the laying of the pitch, with a number of members volunteering to raise gravel from Mr Mickans creek Stockwell, while W. Koop, F. Boehm, and L.S. Plush volunteered vehicles for the carting of gravel. However rain interfered and the laying of the pitch was deferred until Saturday 25th August 1934. However the first blow was struck on Thursday August 16th 1934 when C.A. Verrall and F. Boehm journeyed to Mickans creek in Stockwell in the late afternoon and raised approximately 3 tons of gravel for use on the pitch. 
Light Pass Cricket Clubs existence has not been easy since that initial meeting back in August 1934. Right from the beginning numbers to make up a team, and an oval or paddock which the team could use was not easy to obtain.
Early members were determined that the club would succeed. Overcoming the hardships of carting materials, laying the pitch, and then sharing the fielding surrounds with the cows and their “pads” were just a few of the problems that had to be overcome.
Bearing in mind that memories are fading, that records are few and as close as can be ascertained the following gentlemenwere the first to represent Light Pass Cricket Club in competition:
- Len Plush (capt)
- Ron Hahn
- Vic Mader
- Con Mader
- Sid Mader
- Hartley Boehm
- Ken Boehm
- Fred Boehm
- Ted Gerlach
- Ben Semmler
- Wally Koop
- Charlie Verrall
The club was not admitted into the Barossa and Light Cricket Association for the first 2 years and so matches were played against Keyneton, Rocky Valley, Eden Valley and the four teams from the Kenton Valley District.
The late Jack Hahns property provided the venue which was to be the clubs home ground until 1970/71, a total of 37 years. After that time the land value became too high to be left idle and so the club was forced to find another venue. During the next 8 years the club hired Greenock, Nuriootpa High School and Truro ovals for matches while continuing to conduct training at Light Pass Public School.
In 1960, through lack of numbers, the club was unable to field a team. Returning to the association the following season, without a full team, the club was fortunate to achieve its first premiership success.
Currently the club has won a total of 18 premierships in various grades from Under twelves through to senior cricket. Having returned to the A1 grade in 1993/94 the club is now striving to win that elusive A1 premiership, but in 2005/2006 took a step in the right direction by taking out the A1 one day competition following a thrilling grand final tie at Eudunda oval.
|