Robert W. Pile

It was with deep sadness that Union Cricket Club life member Robert 'Bob' Pile passed away during the week.

Bob played his first senior game for the club in 1950 and led the team to four Borton Cup Championship seasons in his 20 year, and 141 senior games, along with many games in lower grades, at the club. It wasn't only his leadership on the field that the club benefited it was also his dedication off the field attending his first AGM in 1952 and becoming a semi-regular member of the clubs managing committee over the years. He also took an active interest in the junior club organising cricket for the younger schoolboys and providing them coaching.

Bob moved out of the district in 1970 but just before leaving Oamaru was awarded life membership. He continued to be active in the club through the Easter tour fixtures playing in a further 6 Easter tours till 1977 despite not living in North Otago.

Since then he moved back to Oamaru becoming active again in junior cricket and regulating attending matches played by the senior team.

In 2004 when the club introduced the 100 games caps, Bob was presented with cap #1 and it was a proud moment for him when 4 years later he presented his grandson Antony Cromwell with Antony's 100 games cap.

During the weekend all Union teams wore black armbands and in the senior fixture between Union and the Waitaki Boys 1st XI both teams and management had a minutes silence before the start of the match.

Bobs funeral will be held on Monday starting 11.30 at Weston.

Player Pages:
Robert W. Pile |