Poloc Cricket Club

Poloc Cricket Club is a cricket club based at Pollok Country Park in south Glasgow, Scotland.

The club has approximately 270 members who participating in cricket, tennis and winter golf. The club's "Shawholm" [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Grounds/24/1686.html Cricket Grounds] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] ground encompasses the cricket oval, three all-weather and three clay tennis courts, and the world's only six-hole golf course approved by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The clubhouse also hosts pool, darts and poker tournaments in the winter months. Poloc Cricket Club's two principal senior cricket teams play under the names "Poloc" and "Shawholm". Poloc play in the Cricket Scotland organised Scottish National Cricket League First Division whilst Shawholm play in the Western District Cricket Union Third Division. A third XI play more social matches versus other local clubs' equivalent sides, and the Poloc Academy competes in the Strathclyde League.

History

Founded in 1878, Poloc Cricket Club spent its first season on the site of the old Pollokshaws Race Course and in 1880 moved to its current location at Shawholm.

A pavilion was acquired by the club from the now-defunct Pollokshields Athletic Club, also located on Pollok Estates, and the building was moved to Shawholm on rollers. In the same year, the main avenue from Pollokshaws Road to Pollok House was opened, running past the north side of the ground in what is now Pollok Park. This avenue still provides the approach to Shawholm with the River Cart to the left.

The club's winter golf section was formed in 1889, with bowls, putting and archery being added in the years following.

Full tenancy of the current six-acre site was granted to the club in 1888 by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, 10th Baronet who continued to be involved in Poloc's affairs until his death in 1956.

In 1908 the Pollokshaws Working Lads Club decided to form a football team from amongst their ranks. Sir John Stirling Maxwell also allotted that club an area of land on the estate, rent-free. The footballers, to show their appreciation, took the name of Pollok Juniors FC, (later Pollok F.C.) and Sir John became their first Honorary President. The ground allocated became known as Haggs Park and was adjacent to Poloc Cricket Club; in fact, the different spellings of the two names "Pollok" and "Poloc" were adopted at this time, deliberately, to avoid confusion.

Membership at Poloc reached a peak of 600 in the late 1940s.

Historic moments

The earliest match hosted by the club that is, arguably, of historic interest was the game between a West of Scotland select team and the Australian Imperial Forces as part of the latter's tour of England in 1919 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1919_ENG_Australian_Imperial_Forces_in_England_1919.html West of Scotland select versus Australian Imperial Forces, June 1919] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] .

Shawholm also played host to Scotland versus the MCC [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/27/27532.html Scotland versus MCC, June 1965] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] in June 1965 in a three-day match played between the 23rd and 25th. Subsequent Scotland international matches staged at the ground included versus Ireland in 1978 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/38/38465.html Scotland versus Ireland, August 1978] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] . and Sri Lanka in 1979 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/39/39466.html Scotland versus Sri Lanka, July 1979] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] .

Scotland's first televised cricket match also took place at Shawholm on 7 May 1955 when West of Scotland Cricket Club were Poloc's visitors. Poloc batted first making 110 for 9. In reply, West made 120 for 6.

The ground was invited to host three internationals as part of the 2006 ECC European Championships. The matches (The Netherlands versus Italy [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98509.html The Netherlands versus Italy, August 2006] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] , Jersey versus Germany [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98529.html Jersey versus Germany, August 2006] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] and The Netherlands versus Denmark [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98515.html The Netherlands versus Denmark, August 2006] , from CricketArchive, retrieved 4 November 2007] ) saw white ball/black sightscreen cricket at Shawholm for the first time.

Junior cricket

Poloc runs junior cricket teams at seven age-group levels: under 10, 11, 13, 13B, 15, 15B and 18 and compete in West District Junior Cricket Union- ("WDJCU") as well as Cricket Scotland-organised competitions. Under 10 players predominantly compete in "Kwik Cricket" competitions. The club's junior sides won the WDCJU Under 11, 13 and 15 leagues in 2007, and were beaten finalists in the Under 18 Frank Smith Trophy. 2008 saw the Under 18s league champions, the Under 15s unbeaten and the Poloc Academy Strathclyde League winners.

The Community Coaching Initiative

Poloc Cricket Club has been providing cricket coaching in its local community under the auspices of the "Community Coaching Initiative" since 2002. Working with Glasgow and East Renfrewshire Council, coaching is provided to local Primary and Secondary Schools. The Initiative also organises an annual inter-Primary Schools Festival day at Shawholm. In addition, the club, under the umbrella of the Initiative and in partnership with the WDJCU, regularly hosts "Kwik Cricket" festivals. In addition to the work in local schools, the club's Community Coaching Initiative also works with other community groups in providing sports coaching in and around the club's locality.

The Initiative was granted charitable status in early 2007 and is registered with the OSCR under number SC037774. The registered body itself is CCI Glasgow Limited, a private company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland under number SC315322.

Golf

Poloc Cricket Club also plays host to the UK’s only R&A-recognised six-hole golf course.

Founded in 1889, the Golf Section takes over the autumn and winter months. The course - "Wee Poloc" - is a unique challenge, with medals and other club competitions every fortnight throughout the season.

Tennis

Poloc Cricket Club has six tennis courts: three all-weather tennis courts and three clay courts, both adjacent to the clubhouse building.

Club honours

Senior

Scottish Cup, winners: 1984;Scottish Cup, runners-up: 1985, 1994;Scottish Plate, winners: 2005;SCU Trophy, winners: 2000;SCU Trophy, runners-up: 1999;SNCL, South Division, winners: 2004;SNCL, Division Two, runners-up: 2000;WDCU Championship, winners: 1928, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1981, 1983, 1985;Rowan Cup, winners: 1926, 1957, 1981, 1983, 2004, 2007;Rowan Cup, runners-up: 1976;West League Cup, runners-up: 2006;WDCU 2nd division, winners: 1914, 1928, 1950, 1964, 1969, 1971, 1981, 1983;WDCU 3rd division, winners: 1952;Glasgow Cup, winners: 2003;Strathclyde League 2nd division, winners: 2008;Glasgow & District Cricket League, winners: 1931;John Haig Trophy Scottish Division, winners: 1982;ECB Cockspur Cup Scottish Region, winners: 2007.

Junior

WDJCU Junior League (under 18), winners: 1972, 1977, 1982, 2008;WDJCU Minors League (under 15), winners: 1973, 1974, 1979, 2007;WDJCU "B" League (under 15B), winners: 2007;WDJCU Mini-Minors League (under 12/13), winners: 1984, 2005, 2007;WDJCU Mini-Mini-Minors League (under 11), winners: 2007;Frank Smith Tropy (under 16/17/18), winners: 1975, 1984;Frank Smith Tropy (under 16/17/18), runners-up: 2004, 2007;WDJCU Indoor Competition (under 19), winners: 1988.

Sources

http://www.poloc.com

http://www.cricketscotland.com

http://www.wdcu-cricket.net

References