Shield could replace cup

North Otago Cricket's greatest prize, the Borton Cup, remains lost, and is likely to be replaced by a shield.

The 92-year-old "first lady" of North Otago cricket was presented to the association by former Waitaki Boys' High School (WBHS) rector Frank Milner after the original was lost in a fire at the school in 1920.

The replacement cup was lost at a nightclub by a triumphant senior Union Cricket Club side last April.

Members of the Union side, which became the first club in 23 years to win the title three years in a row, had taken the cup to Oamaru's Globe nightclub at about 11pm on April 2 following a party in their club rooms.

Union captain Thomas Shields discovered the silverware was missing the following afternoon, but neither text messages to team-mates nor the examination of security footage from The Globe was able to shed light on its whereabouts.

A visit to the police station at the beginning of the 2011/12 season by Mr Shields proved fruitless, amid rumours of another club stealing the cup as a practical joke. Hopes it will turn up before the end of the season today are growing dimmer by the day.

North Otago Cricket chairman Peter Cameron said the matter had been discussed at the most recent board meeting, and the decision made to purchase a shield as a replacement, which could be given to the top qualifiers for the knockout stages if the Borton Cup was found.

The cup, while insured, was considered lost, not stolen, meaning the excess for any claim would exceed the cost of a replacement, Mr Cameron said.

Oasthouse Liquorland, which is owned by the Oamaru Licensing Trust, will fund most, if not all, of the cost of replacement, with North Otago Cricket to pay the balance from reserves.

Mr Cameron would not say how much the new silverware would cost, only that it would be reflective of the status of the Oamaru senior competition.

He was disappointed the cup was still missing after taking pride of place in Oamaru cricket for so long.

"I would suggest that it hasn't turned up, so at least one person knows where it is," he said.

- ben.guild@odt.co.nz

 

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