The Darlington Cricket & Athletic Club is an esteemed sports complex located in Darlington, New Zealand. The club has a rich history dating back to 1827 when it was first formed. Initially, the club played its matches at The Green Tree Inn on the corner of Skinnergate and had a playing field behind the Inn. In the late 1830s, the club relocated to a field near Park Street, which is now the site of the Police Station, Fire Station, and Royal Mail Sorting Office.
Finally, in 1866, the club moved to its current home at Feethams.
Darlington Cricket Club is proud to have joined the NYSD League in 1896 and won the league in its first year. Since then, the club has gone on to win an impressive 22 'A' Division/leading titles, making it the most successful club in the league. The club's most successful decades were the 1920s and 1950s when they won six and five championships, respectively.
In addition to league success, Darlington Cricket Club has also clinched numerous cup victories. The club has won the Kerridge Cup 17 times, the Haith Cup 6 times, the Robinson Cup 7 times, the Ray Bell Cup once, the Ken Welsh Cup once, the Junior Cup once, the NYSD Maters Cup twice, and the Pallister Cup once.
The senior teams of Darlington Cricket Club participate in the prestigious North Yorkshire & South Durham ECB top Cricket League. The junior teams, on the other hand, play in the North Yorkshire Area Cricket Council at the Under 11, Under 13, and Under 15 levels. The club prides itself on welcoming both boys and girls to its junior section from the age of 5 and above, and they even offer weekly coaching on Friday evenings. The club also runs All Stars and Dynamos Cricket programmes to nurture young talent.
Anyone interested in visiting, socialising, playing, or becoming a member of Darlington Cricket & Athletic Club is encouraged to reach out to Gloria Howells for further information. Membership can be obtained or renewed by visiting the club's Membership System.
The Darlington Cricket & Athletic Club is proudly sponsored by its Green & Gold Member. The club also offers girls' cricket as part of its initiative to promote inclusivity. The club recently mourned the loss of John Waring, a valued member, from 1942 to 2023. The club keeps its supporters up to date with regular announcements, including match results and statistical updates.
The club has recently celebrated victories, including a 3-wicket win against Richmondshire CC 2nd XI, a 5-wicket win against Middlesbrough CC 3rd XI, a 6-wicket win against Maltby CC, North Yorkshire 1st XI, and a 70-run win against Wolviston CC 3rd XI. The club's upcoming fixtures can be viewed on their website.
Darlington Cricket & Athletic Club takes pride in its Hall of Fame, which includes notable achievements in batting, bowling, and run-scoring. Liam Coates holds the record for the highest number of runs scored with 693 runs. Matty Harwood has the distinction of achieving the highest individual score with 121 runs, while Jack Atkinson boasts the highest strike rate with 117. 2.
Overall, Darlington Cricket & Athletic Club is a renowned sports complex with a rich history and a commitment to nurturing both young and seasoned cricketers.