Les Constable's report on the season
New Chesterton Institute were again successful in gaining the championship
of Division 1 and their second team became runners-up - a unique achievement!
I remember that before the War the YMCA had thre teams in the 1st Division
and their third team came top although in those days the teams were called
A, B & C. John Thurston, of course, was the deciding factor for the NCI and
I have no hesitation in saying that but for him they would not have taken top
place. Keke Mistry and Norman Stanley were the other members of the team and
all praise must be given to them for their support. A tragedy in the first
division was the fall of Wesley who, in the 1956/57 season had become
champions and now they were to be relegated and would accompany Fire Brigade
to the second division. It was Wesley's first fall from grace and they
certainly missed John Cornwell who was absent for all the season. Such is how
things happen and Jack Baughan their mainstay would have to put things right
next season.
Division 2 saw Pest Control successful and it was justice for them as they
had striven hard for some seasons to reach the first division and now they were
there with YMCA II who were runners-up. RAF Oakington I and Impington II
descended to Division 3. Curiously the Impington third team avoided relegation
from Division 2 so the consequence was that we had a farcical position of
the second team in Division 3 and the third team in Division 2!
Hospitals I just pipped Wilburton for the headship of Division 3 and so both
teams would be operating in Division 2 the next season.
Newcomers Northern Assurance headed Division 6 and so were most successful
in their first season in the league.
In the Final of the Knockout Handicap Trophy Wilburton defeated Torchbearers
by 5 games to nil and so retained their title.