120th edition of Pineapple Cricket Tournament set to be a huge hit
2004 centenary win unforgettable for Nemato Rainbows
The annual Pineapple Cricket Tournament promises to be a showstopper of an event from the time the first ball is bowled next month on the occasion of its 120th anniversary.
The iconic tournament, which hits off from March 2-9 across venues in the Albany District, will have 24 teams competing for various trophies in their respective sections.
Kowie Toyota and Spar Rosehill are the sponsors of this year’s Pineapple Cricket Tournament.
One of this year’s highlights is that Hong Kong invitational outfit KaiTak CC will participate in the tournament.
KaiTak are captained by Michael Gunton and the team consists mostly of SA ex-pats now resident in Hong Kong.
Cuylerville 1sts, who are defending the trophy this year, will be buoyed by their recent T20 final win against Salem on Sunday at Shaw Park.
There will be six teams in the A section, 10 in the B section and eight invitational teams including KaiTak, Gypsies, from East London, and The Owls.
Monday is set aside for “oldies” day with the now familiar East v West Legends fixture.
The oldest running cricket tournament in SA now reaches another milestone – its 120th edition – after its centenary celebrations in 2004.
The tournament is, of course, steeped in history after the first matches were played in 1904 among four teams. Pineapple farmers from the earliest days of the spectacle “downed tools” to enjoy a week playing cricket, with social gatherings on the side.
Former Pineapple Cricket president, cricket luminary and MCC member, Ross Purdon, says it is a proud moment for cricket in the region.
“It’s an amazing achievement … thinking that we’ve only had three interruptions through all these years is
testimony to the administrators, the players and the clubs who own the tournament.
“The original title is actually Port Alfred and Bathurst District Tournament, affectionately known as the Pineapple Tournament.”
The Albany district’s cricket legacy can be traced back to the 1820 settlers, who entrenched the game’s footprint in the area.
In 1932, the trophy was procured in England for £50 and 24 teams still compete for coveted silverware today across three divisions. Except for the tournament ’ s hiatus from 1940-1945 during World War 2, and in 2021 during Covid, it has had an otherwise uninterrupted run of 119 years.
The victory by Nemato township team Rainbows to win the 2nd team Pineapple trophy in 2004 was a “momentous occasion”.
One of the Rainbows players that year was Mzameli Dikeni, who recalls the victory with fondness.
“We were only formed in 1995 but we were a group of talented cricketers.
“I remember some of us not having shoes for our first game but with the help of ‘Oom Foxy’ [groundsman] and Ross Purdon, we went on to win the tournament.
“That night of the trophy hand outs we all got onto a bakkie and circled the field … just thinking back now gives me goosebumps,” said Dikeni.
Entries must be submitted by 3:30pm on Tuesday at the TotT Office 29 Miles Street. Winner of last week’s crossword: Pick n Pay Port Alfred – Karin Drennan. Winner to please collect voucher from TotT offices before attempting to redeem prize.