WOMEN AND MITCHAM

It is well known that women's involvement with cricket can be traced back many years.

• The first match for which a record has been preserved was played July 26, 1745 between "eleven maids of Hambledon, dressed all in white, and eleven maids of Bramley, on Gosden Common, near Guildford. The Hambledon maids won, by 127 notches to 119.

• there is a famous painting of "Miss and Miss Trigger" by John Collet, around 1770.

• the game began to be played in the highest circles at great country houses. Top scorer in both innings in one such game in 1777 was the beautiful Miss Burrell. The eighth Duke of Hamilton fell in love with her on the spot and married her before the next season!

• the "White Heather" Club, founded1887, is perhaps the most famous of the women's clubs. The club numbered duchesses amongst its members. Mrs Baldwin, wife of the Prime Minister, organised a committee meeting at No.10 Downing Street at the height of the General Strike in 1926. • the Women's Cricket Association was founded in 1926, and began to organise women's cricket more systematically, including regional and county matches.

Mitcham has never had, as far as we are aware, a women's team. But that is not to say that Mitcham has not produced significant women players - Hazel Sanders being the greatest example. Others, notably Molly Hide, have played on the Green and had an association of one kind or another, with the Club.

But it isn't just as players that women have made their mark. Many have made contributions over the years in helping to keep the Club going, some as officials of the Club, some as providers of teas, fund raisers, or helpers to the Colts.

This exhibition aims to bring their contribution to your notice, as well as to record the days of well attended women's matches played on the Green. Almost certainly, it only scratches the surface. Our records are limited; much of the behind the scenes support will never have been recorded; memories only go back so far.

So if you have other information or recollections to bring to our attention, please let us know. Lilian Bullock

Born 14 January, 1898 Died Portsmouth, December 1976

Lilian B. Card was born in Enfield in 1898, also the birthplace of her mother Elizabeth. By the time of the 1911 Census, however, Lil was living in Gillingham, Dorset, which was the birthplace of her father Edwin George Card. Edwin was a Master Baker, and it seems that it was thanks to this profession that Lil's association with Mitcham began - her father took premises as a baker and confectioner almost opposite the King's Head.

Just when Lil met Burn Bullock, we cannot say. But Burn was a prominent player at Mitcham, and an active member of the Club for many years. The King's Head, of course, was re-named the Burn Bullock, in his honour.

Lil and Burn married in early 1926. Lil's association with the Mitcham Club was then to go on even longer than Burn's.

Shortly after meeting Burn, Lil attended her first club function, a meeting of the tea committee, and ended up chairman!

In 1941, after Burn's retirement from county cricket and coaching duties, Burn and Lil took over the King's Head. After many a match, the teams would retire to the pub to discuss the game. But the food provided by Lil was a big draw too. Many big name players appeared in the Wilson Hospital charity matches on the Green, arranged by Burn but equally attracted by the promise of being fed by Lil.

Following Burn's death in 1954, the license for the King's Head was transferred to Lil who continued as landlady. She continued to ensure that it remained a cricketing pub, regularly attracting Surrey players, and other local sportsmen including the footballer Ted Drake.

Ewan Green remembers anyone connected with cricket was given an extra special welcome:

" She used to sit on her stool in the corner of the bar and greet every customer personally as they came in the door with a "hello dear, how are you?" often followed by "can I get you a drink?"

Lil was elected as a Vice President of the Club in 1956 - the first lady to be so honoured. When she retired, in 1975, the local Licensing Justices were asked to agree a formal name change and the "King's Head" became the "Burn Bullock".

Lil's affection for the club is reflected in the fact that she made her grandson, Nicholas, a member in 1961 when he was 6 1/2 hours old. Molly Hide

Born 24 October1913, Shanghai, China Died 10 September1995, Milford, Surrey

Mary "Molly" Edith Hide was born in China. She came to England - to Haslemere in Surrey - at the age of 6. She learnt cricket first at school at Wycombe Abbey, under the coaching of a Mr Britnell. It is said that, even as a schoolgirl, she wanted to understand all aspects of the game, and this went so far as to include help in preparing the pitch beforehand. She became a member of the Women's Cricket Association (WCA) at the age of 16 in 1929. She was able to continue cricket while studying agriculture at Reading University.

Molly also played lacrosse for England, but it is as a cricketer that she is renowned.

She was something of an all-rounder - a quick-scoring batsman, medium-paced bowler of off-spinners, and fine fielder. Molly appeared in representative matches at Worcester in 1932 and 1933. She played for an England team against "The Rest" in 1933, at Leicester, in a game that foreshadowed for women.

In 1934, she toured Australia and New Zealand with Betty Archdale's England team, at number three. In the opening game against West Australia at the Oval, Perth, she made a century. Then she played in the first ever women's Test in Brisbane in December 1934. Her highest score on this tour was a century at Christchurch against New Zealand, where she built a record partnership of 235 with Betty Snowball, and England won by 337 runs.

In 1936 she captained the South of England side against England, at Hove. The following year, only in her early 20s, she was appointed England , a position she was to hold for 17 years until 1954.

England won the first series under her captaincy, against Australia, in 1937. This included a victory in the 2nd Test at Blackpool. Requiring 152 to win from their 2nd innings, Australia were bowled out to lose by 25 runs. With her off- spinners, Molly took 4 for 6 runs to mop up the tail, giving her match figures of 8 wickets for 58 runs.

The war years saw her helping on her father's 200 acre farm, Lower Roundhurst, at Haslemere, and there would be an 11 year gap between Test series.

England toured Australia and New Zealand in 1948-49, captained by Molly. They lost the only completed Test match in Australia, but Molly scored over 1000 runs on the tour, including 5 centuries. Molly finished the series with a batting average in the Tests of 57.00 and average of 22.00 (6 wickets for 132 runs). The 3rd Test at Sydney was drawn, with England 205 for 4 in their 2nd innings and Molly undefeated on 124. Her innings was seen by Neville Cardus, who likened her play to , whilst for [old Mr] Farrar she was comparable to Victor Trumper! The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust asked for a photograph which they proposed to hang in the pavilion, the first woman to be so honoured.

Eight matches were played in New Zealand, of which six, including the Test, were won.

The team were welcomed by 400 speeches over the Tour, with Molly and the team manager replying with 84 apiece. Indeed, receptions played an important part in the early tours. In an article written by Molly, she notes:

"In Perth,.... we were invited to morning tea at Parliament House and were highly honoured as the prime minister was present as well as many of the members."

She captained England again in a home series against Australia in 1951, but missed the first 2 Tests through injury. She came back for the 3rd Test, with England one down, despite not being fully fit. She scored 65 and 42, the highest individual contribution, and England won by 137 runs.

Molly announced that 1954 would be her last in first-class cricket. She captained England for the last time against New Zealand at the Oval in July 1954, taking the series 1-0.

In 20 years as an international player, Molly played 15 Tests, scoring 872 runs at an average of 36.33, and taking 36 wickets at 15.25.

In Martineau's opinion "there has been no better batsman" - always keen to get on top of the bowling, she had a particularly strong on-drive. Her bowling was strong, perhaps held back from developing further by the fact that she was captain. Her captaincy of Surrey and England, according to Netta Rheinberg, writing in1976, reached a maturity in the years after the war which has not been surpassed. She was renowned for the tough approach she took, setting high standards and always expecting the best. Some found this difficult, but for most she was an inspiration, and they loved that on the field she was always looking to be on the attack.

When she finished playing, she continued as an important and influential figure in the game - as a selector for county and country, as occasional team manager, and as President of the WCA from 1973. In this role, she steered the WCA through a World Cup. Twenty years later, when England won the 1993 World Cup, she was guest of honour at Lord's.

She helped put on the first exhibition devoted to women's cricket, at the Qantas Airways Gallery in Picadilly, during the 1963 visit of the Australian women's team. This included costumes, photographs, tour trophies and souvenirs - and the blue cricket ball for lady cricketers, made by Alfred Reader at the request of Gamages in 1897, for fear they might swoon at the sight of a red ball! Unlike Molly's reputation, It did not last, it being found that the blue colour could not be picked up against the grass and sky.

Never, as far as we can tell, a member of the Club, Molly was clearly a friend of Mitcham. She played on the Green a number of times, brought teams to play there, and wrote articles for the Yearbook. Indeed, one of these is devoted to women's cricket at Mitcham. Proceeds from many of these games went to the Women's Cricket Association. But in July 1939 Molly also played for Surrey against Herts. and District in a game on the Green with the proceeds going to Mitcham Club funds - she retired on 54 in a total of 137 (Herts made 57). About 2,000 spectators ringed the Green.

Molly Hide was, in the words of Netta Rheinberg, the personification of women's cricket, doing an immense amount to give the game credibility.

MAJOR C.H.B.PRIDHAM, WRITING IN THE CRICKETER, 24 JULY 1937

Miss M.Hide - former Roedean scholar - has a free and beautiful style with the bat. Slightly taller than the average, ... her best stroke is the drive past cover, which she executes with an excellence of timing quite remarkable in a woman. One of these (during her innings of 64) flew like lightning over cover point's head. Usually, however, her drives skim the grass, for - like all ladies, strange to say - she seldom lifts the ball.

Miss Hide has just added to her triumphs the feat of scoring a century before lunch, on the first day; reaching 105 in 95 minutes against the Australian Touring Team at Hove. She hit 18 fours in her 145. Hazel Sanders

Born 16 July 1926, Mitcham, Surrey Died 29 December 1996, Shepway, Kent

Hazel Mary Sanders was the daughter of C F (Fred) Sanders, a former 1st XI captain, who was for many years editor of the Mitcham Cricket Club Yearbook. She learned her cricket with her brother and father. Hazel attended Mitcham County Girls' School, and later studied science at Reading University, playing hockey for English Universities.

Her father's picture is on the wall behind the bar in the pavilion and there is a stone bench in the South corner of the Green dedicated to his memory.

One of Hazel's first games for Surrey was played on the Green, against Middlesex in 1946.

Hazel's inclusion in the Australian tour in 1948-49 - she was the youngest member of the party - is recorded in the 1949 Mitcham Cricket Club Yearbook, published before she returned home. This notes that she played in all 3 Tests, her best performance being 20 in the 1st innings of the final Test. In her report of the Tour, Nancy Joy - another member of the team - notes that Hazel could turn the ball more than anyone, but that "since at present this accomplishment is only tenuously allied to length, Molly [Hide] dared not risk her in a Test". She scored over 300 runs on the Tour, with a top score of 59, and average of 21.12. She finished 3rd in the England bowling averages, with 22 wickets from 70 overs bowled, with an average of 9.72. In the game against Western Australia in Perth, Hazel took a hat-trick, spread over 2 days - a wicket with her last ball in the evening of the 1st day, Friday, and then 2 wickets in her first 2 balls on the Saturday, to wrap up the WA first innings at 46 all out.

In the single Test against New Zealand at Auckland, won by England, Hazel top scored with 54 in the 1st innings, and was unbeaten on 26 in the 2nd. After the game she was presented with a huge bouquet of flowers by 2 south islanders, in appreciation of her play.

The Club Yearbook further notes that she missed the game in Queensland, part way through the Tour, because she was in hospital in Sydney (to have a painful cist at the base of her spine removed) and that in two later matches she lost three teeth. The article signs off,

"Congratulations, Hazel, on being the first of our members since Andy Sandham to play for England."

The players did not earn much from the Tour - indeed, as amateurs they were likely to be out of pocket. The Touring Team Appeal Fund contributed, but each player had to find the cost of their passage, around £200 in 1948, and pocket money for incidental expenses, around £50 to £100. Hazel, a student at the time, was perhaps one of the most hard up. It is perhaps unsurprising, therefore, that on the ship home, hearing there was a vacancy with pay of £23 a month, Hazel offered her services to the Purser - an offer that was declined, as other arrangements had been made.

Hazel learnt cricket playing with her brother and continued her love of the game while at Mitcham County School and Reading University, where she majored in science. That subject remained and interest all her life. She later worked at Guy's Medical School. She wrote countless theses on scientific and medical topics, including one, found after her death, on BSE.

Her sense of humour, coupled with an inborn absentmindedness, made for interesting situations whenever Hazel was around. This absentmindedness is reflected in the team song, made up by the 1948 Tourists, to the tune of "My bonny lies over the ocean", the 3rd verse of which runs,

"When Robbie has taken up croquet, And Betty B's glamour has gone, When Johnnie stops riding in tramcars, And Hazel knows what's going on,"

Wisden obituary - HAZEL SANDERS, who died in Folkestone on Dec 29, aged 68, played in 12 Tests for England. She was a member of the 1948-49 and 1957-58 touring teams to Australia and New Zealand, not only showing a fighting spirit with the bat when the occasion demanded (which was quite often) but also proving to be an outstanding fielder, especially at silly mid-on, where her amazing speed of reaction resulted in a record of 15 catches taken in her dozen Tests. NANCY JOY, WRITING ON THE THIRD TEST MATCH, THE CRICKETER, 18 AUGUST 1951

Third Day,

Hide drive powerfully and delightfully as usual (it is a measure of her eminence that handicapped by injury she should yet be England's highest scorer in each innings)...

And when Hide went, Sanders wandered out to the wicket. Perhaps one day she will forget her destination and wander back again. But once there, she suffers a sex change. It was due to her, to Spry and to Duggan, that Hide was able to declare at 245, 220 runs ahead.

[England won this Test by 137 runs with 15 minutes to spare. Sanders scored 24 in the 2nd innings, after 26 in the 1st] THE COLE DYNASTY

Lil, Eileen, Joyce and Sheila Cole

Wife of former player and President of the Club, Fred, Lil Cole was heavily involved in years before WW2 in organising teas, and in later years, fund raising activities such as social evenings, dinner dances and jumble sales.

Lil's daughters - Eileen, Joyce and Sheila - were also much involved. Each loved cricket, and pretty much every weekend in the summer was spent at the Cricket Green!

Eileen was married to Cliff Leonard, a former player who remains a Vice-President; Joyce to Bob Parker, former player and Vice-President; and Sheila, partner to Jack Durling, for many years a leading bowler in the 2nd XI.

Lisa Chambers, Joyce's daughter, remembers:

" Years ago family activities meant that everyone, wives, children etc., all went to see the cricket EVERY week. Cliff, Jack and Bob played in other teams on Sundays, so every Saturday and Sunday the families would go to matches home and away. We would take our picnics and sit in the deckchairs surrounding the Green. It was a sociable occasion, with everyone chatting to regular visitors and guests to make them feel welcome. It had a real sense of community. The children would spend the time using up energy on the green adjacent to the pitch, playing cricket, practicing for the real think, including the girls! I can remember going round with the collection box with my Grandad. It was a good opportunity to discuss cricket with everyone and it would take ages to get round the whole Green!!

The main activity that all the wives took part in was the cricket teas! Where would we be without them? You would start out with shopping for large quantities of food! The piles of sandwiches, many sliced loaves being buttered and filled, together with plates of cakes. The urns would be filled to overflowing to accommodate the vast amount of tea made on match days. Even the children were involved as they got older. I can remember being paid 25-50p, in today's money, to help my mother!

... For all of us, weekend cricket was a way of life. Come rain or shine we were there! If we were allowed in the pavilion it was thought of as an honour !!"

Eileen served in the Women's Land Army during the war.

Joyce gave a talk at one of the annual Club dinners.

Sheila was an accomplished bowls player and was at one time President of the Mitcham Bowling Club as well as being ladies captain. She had a great sporting knowledge, but a real love of cricket. She had a discerning eye and any praise from her was sincere, hard earned and worth having. She and Joyce continued to hold an interest in cricket their whole life, living in retirement flats almost overlooking the ground.

Sheila was the youngest of the sisters. Her death, at the age of 82, brought to an end the direct Cole dynasty at Mitcham - the family having served the Club in one way or another since 1927. Eileen Harman

Eileen, wife of Mitcham stalwart Dickie Harman, was the Club's first lady secretary, 1966 and 1967.

Alice Higginson

From around the mid-1950s to early 1970s, Alice was a mainstay of the Club, organising teas and supporting fundraising efforts.

Rosemary Williams

Married to Gwyn, for many years Club Treasurer, Rosemary helped for many years from around 2000 to 2010, particularly with teas. Her 2 sons, Owen and Marc, were players with the Club, starting as colts. She is a Vice- President of the Club. Win Cole

Born 1921 Died 20 December 2012

Winifred (Win) Cole, in company with her husband Eddie (Fred's cousin) was a stalwart of MItcham Cricket Club from around 1985 to 2000. They looked after catering for many years, providing teas for Saturday, Sunday and midweek games throughout the summer. This included evening colts games and training sessions and led to the rumour that they spent more time at the Club than at their Anerley home.

Win's daughter, Hazel, recalls:

" Cricket played a major part in both Win and Eddie Cole's lives. Whilst Eddie's role was more prominent, Win played a significant role behind the scenes.

Win scored at the cricket matches for as long as I can remember as both my sister and I went with Mum and Dad all our young lives, which was from the late 1940s. After she retired at 65 she took on the role of making the sandwiches and serving teas to the cricketers until she was joined by Eddie who helped her with the mammoth task. During cricket week every year Win would make reams of sandwiches to serve to the famished cricketers as well for the twice weekly fixtures where she served tea and refreshments. Whilst Eddie was fulfilling his role as social secretary, captain and the various other "hats" he wore, Win was his willing assistant helping to organise, prepare and implement a succession of events.

Fundraising for the cricket club was an important job and Win helped to organise raffle prizes, venues, etc., and supported all the events.

Love of the club was shared by both Win and Eddie right into their mid-eighties and they were a prominent presence at the matches."

There is a plaque on the Pavilion wall in honour of Eddie's years of service to Mitcham.

Eddie Cole 1920 - 2009 A devoted, enthusiastic and tireless worker, who gave outstanding service over many years as a player, umpire scorer, assistant treasurer, colts administrator and catering manager

That recognition should doubtless go to Win too. A pleasant and cheerful disposition was the hallmark of her personality. She became a Life Member and Vice President of the Club.

Win was 91 years of age when she died. Wendy Stevens

Wendy is another cricketing wife and mother who made a great contribution to the Club. Her husband, Robin, was a player for many years and then ran the Colts. Wendy got involved in everything, from teas, special occasions and jumble sales, to transporting colts. Wendy was the first woman within MCC to win the Burn Bullock tankard, in 1982.

In her own words,

" Robin joined MCC in 1970 after playing for the Southern Railway.

I started to help at the Club when Robin started to assist with the coaching of the colts around 1978. Our eldest son Gary joined a few years later. They were in those days not allowed to take children under the age of 10 or 11. When they had colts night on the Green I noticed that after they had been to the nets there was no drinks, biscuits, cakes or crisps for them, and so nothing to do but go home. Not even a chance to talk with the other colts.

So, this is where it started.

I provided the aforementioned snacks and it went down very well. Because we had two cars we were able to transport and take home the colts to the away matches,. I sometimes did the scoring.

I took over doing the teas on a Saturday after doing it with a lady called Maud. There was never any money made from doing the teas at this time.

Robin and I used to go shopping every Saturday morning to get the food for the teas and to try and make it more appetizing. Still egg and cress sandwiches were top of the list. It was a lot of work plus going to work 5 days and bringing up two boys as well.

I had a good team of ladies to help me. Gillian Rattle, Pauline Bond, Julie Harris and Mrs Fewster and sometimes coerced other ladies to help. At last MCC were making a profit.

Next came updating some of the clubhouse with a cooker and counter instead of trying to do teas on a board over the cold water tank.

We then started a bar in the evenings to make money for the club. It made for a lovely atmosphere and then a lot of the ladies came along with their children. They had not been able to do this before as all the cricketers went in the "Burn Bullock" after the game. I remember taking Gary to watch the cricket on the green and it was very cold so I went into the inner sanctum (club house) and dared Gary to make a noise. The ladies also had to go across the road to the public toilets as there wasn't one in the club house. That was something else I pushed for.

The bar was going a treat so then decided to do food in the evening. Sausages and chips, chicken and chips etc. that also went down a storm. Many a time I had packed up and everything put away and then a lot of the cricketers arrived back from their away game and wanted food could be 9.30 - 10.00pm. So, hey ho - out came all the food again. Running the bar and doing food we were making money for the club.

Also prepared teas for cricket week and then themed evenings such as pie and mash night, curry night, Mexican night etc. and then club day food all day and into the evening and also fund raising with jumble sales. Joan Day

The Day family have connections with Mitcham Cricket a Club going back many years. Joan's father, Fred snr, played mainly 3rd XI cricket; her brother Fred jnr, mainly 2nd XI. Joan herself spent many years working on behalf of the Club, rain or shine, around the 1970s. She was particularly prominent selling deck-chairs in the years when huge crowds were attracted to watch games on the Green.

Joan is pictured here with Tom May, another volunteer who would go round the Green with the collection box. THE CURRENT GENERATION

Julia Gault

Julia first got involved with the Club when her sons, James and William, joined the Colts around 2005. Initially this meant helping out providing lifts for the occasional colts friendly and then under 16 matches. When the boys progressed to start appearing in the 3rds or Sunday games, she even got roped in to appear for the 3rds, in a game at Dundonald.

Now, of course, she is Club Secretary.

Jane Bell

A similar story to Julia, Jane started helping out to support Adam and Sam as they progressed through the Colts. Having eased herself in making regular teas for the under 12s, she now provides the 1st team teas. AUSTRALIAN WOMEN TOURING TEAM ON THE GREEN

MAJOR C.H.B.PRIDHAM WRITING IN THE CRICKETER ANNUAL, 1937, ON THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S TOURING TEAM

... the final match of the tour, at Mitcham Green, saw a huge gathering of 10,000 spectators- not including "prams, dogs, small children, ice-cream men, and bikes"! - the record attendance in 250 years on the world's oldest cricket ground. Such was the farewell given by the public to the Australian lady cricketers- a grand finale, and cricket at its best!

WOMEN'S CRICKET, BY MARJORIE POLLARD, WRITING IN MITCHAM CRICKET CLUB YEARBOOK, 1947

One of the happiest memories I treasure of women's cricket is that day in 1937 when the Surrey W.C.A. Took on the Australian Women on Mitcham Green. The game - with a fiercely close finish - was a perfect ending to what had been a perfect season. Perfect in so many ways. The weather throughout had been good. The Australian women, here for the first time, had shown us cricket we had never dreamed of, and yet all the while our English players seemed to get better and better. Mitcham Green that day in 1937 was a picture and an experience. I wandered among the thousands of spectators, prams, and bikes. I deliberately listened to conversations. I had a reason.

In1927, just ten years earlier, a few of us - so very few- had started the Women's Cricket Association. We had been ridiculed. We had been told, "You will never play like men." That was a crowning insult, because strangely enough we never wanted to play like men, we always believed and hoped that we could evolve a style and a method of our own - different from men, but none the less efficient and none the less graceful.

We rather struggled in those ten years. Yet, we had been admitted to several County Cricket Grounds, to Old Trafford and the Oval, and Trent Bridge. We had sent a team to Australia (1934) and they had carried all before them. We had increased the Association in scope, in numbers and in influence. In 1937, after raising over £1000, by all the known and unknown means at the disposal of club players, we had with us this fine Australian Women's Team. That was our record of ten years, and I realise now that we had moved fast. That we had built our Association well and that perhaps I was justified in eavesdropping among that friendly, enthusiastic crowd that day at Mitcham.

What did I hear? Surprisingly enough there was no silly surprise at the standard of play. There was no excusing anybody because they were only women. The game was taken on its merits; we were taken for granted as cricketers. I got the answer I wanted to my questioning - Women's Cricket had arrived. But where are we now? The war knocked women's cricket all end wise. Cricket is a game that thrives on graciousness, leisure and courtesy. These three ingredients of a good life were not in abundant supply during the last few years. So when we took stock in 1945-- we discovered we were just about where we were in 1927. But were we? We had much experience, we had knowledge of standards required, and also, and this I think is of the utmost importance, we had the good will of friends in such places as Mitcham, the Oval, Old Trafford, Trent Bridge and so on and so on. We had not to fight to establish ourselves, we had got to produce the standard of play that warranted re-establishment.

In 1947 we are faced with a grand programme and in the autumn a team will go to Australia again. There will be no difficulty about getting the players - the keenness and enthusiasm have to be seen to be realised.

Also - we shall return to Mitcham this summer and that in itself is part of our re-establishment and certainly a match which is being approached with joy.

So this season is the 21st of organised women's cricket in this country. I am old enough to sit back now and say, "Ah, - cricket's not what it was and never will be" - but I'd be lying if I said that. Cricket for women is better than it was, and will be a lot better still. I am glad I was one of the pioneers.

WOMEN'S CRICKET IN THE SOUTH

(Extract from "The Cricketer" 4 September 1948) We have found the greatest kindness and interest everywhere but our favourite ground is surely Mitcham Green, where Surrey usually play Middlesex or a Women's Cricket Association XI. The spectators here are so appreciative of a good stroke or piece of fielding, and so critical of a bad one, that we are always encouraged to give of our best from the moment we arrive and see them waiting for the game, sometimes an hour before it is due to start.

WOMEN'S CRICKET AT MITCHAM by Molly Hide

(Article in Mitcham Cricket Club Yearbook, 1956)

The first time a women's cricket match was played on Mitcham Green was in 1936 when a team under the title of the 1934 Touring Team and Others beat Miss M Pollard's XI by 70 runs. Since then this historic Green has been one of the favourite grounds of Surrey women cricketers for it is ideal for women's cricket, being spacious yet homely, with an excellent wicket and outfield and any team can be assured of an enthusiastic and well-informed crowd of spectators.

Surrey Women's Cricket Association has battled on the Green twelve times having won five of these matches and lost only once.

In 1937 and 1951, Mitcham welcomed an overseas team from Australia, who played Surrey on both occasions. Some of the thousands of spectators who watched these two matches will well remember how in 1937 Australia won an exciting match with the last ball by 103 runs and how in 1951 Surrey took the chief honours in a drawn game.

Well-known English women cricketers who have played on the Green, and given much pleasure to spectators are Marjorie Pollard, whose voice is now often heard in sports commentaries on the BBC, Betty Snowball, the finest wicket-keeper England has yet produced who played a grand innings of 83 in the first match on the Green in 1936, and Myrtle Maclagan who made some useful scores and took many wickets in the several occasions on which she appeared at Mitcham.

Women's cricket is at its strongest in the South, and Surrey has been fortunate to field throughout the years one of the strongest county teams. The reason for this is due to the fact that most of the 1st XI have graduated through what might be called the Surrey Nursery, which is the Junior County XI comprised of schoolgirls and the County 2nd XI. Schoolgirl cricket has always been one of the liveliest activities in the Surrey organisation. It is nor surprising therefore that England XIs and English Touring Teams have contained a good nucleus of Surrey players.

With regard to overseas tours the Women's Cricket Association sent a Touring Team to Australia and New Zealand in the Winters of 1934/35 and 1948/49 and have accepted a further invitation to send another team in 1957/58.

Return visits have been made by the Australians in 1937 and 1951 and by a New Zealand team in 1954. For financial reasons it is not possible for these tours to be arranged at more frequent intervals. The arrangement has always been for members of the visiting team to pay their own passage but they are guests of the hostess country during their stay overseas. All profits from such tours are retained by the organising country.

As will be realised therefore much depends on the weather for the success of such a tour and although the a Women's Cricket Association made a satisfactory profit from both the Australian visits, there was a heavy loss after the New Zealand visit in 1954. When sending a Touring Team abroad it is always necessary to launch an appeal for funds to help players with their fares as it is the aim of the Women's Cricket Association to send the best possible team regardless of players' means. No professional women's cricket is played and the Association is run entirely voluntarily. It may be of interest here to point out that there are some 200 clubs and 100 schools in England and Wales affiliated to the Association.

Mitcham Cricket Club has helped generously in the past towards the money-raising efforts of the Women's Cricket Association and next season once again they have most kindly offered the Green for a match in aid of the 1957 Tour Fund. This will take place on Wednesday, June 13th, when Surrey and Middlesex will oppose each other. This will give supporters of women's cricket an opportunity of seeing in action some of the likely players to go on the forthcoming tour.

Top ranking players in the Middlesex team are Mary Duggan and Betty Birch both of whom were members of the 1948/49 a Touring Team. Mary Duggan is probably the best known for her left arm swing bowling though on a responsive wicket she can turn the ball as well, but both she an Betty Birch are useful bats. Two of the Surrey players who are making their name are Helene Hegarty, a useful fast bowler, and Shirley Driscoll, one of the youngest and most promising opening bats in the Association today.

WELCOME TO THE AUSSIES by Molly Hide

(Article in Mitcham Cricket Club Yearbook 1963)

All Surrey women cricketers will be looking forward eagerly to Wednesday, July 31, when the Australian Women's touring team will be playing the County at Mitcham. This will be the third time that an Australian team has played on the Green, the first being in 1937 when Surrey were beaten and the second in 1951 when Surrey took the honours in a drawn game.

What will be the result this year? ....

At present the 1963 Surrey XI has not been selected, but it will probably be much the same as last season when it had four members of the 1958 English touring team to Australia. ....

The County have always endeavoured to play enterprising cricket and to achieve a definite result and provided both teams have the same approach on July 31st, then an entertaining match should be assured. MITCHAM CRICKET CLUB - YEARS AHEAD OF THE OTHER MCC

We have a copy of the rules of Mitcham Cricket Club from 1928. These make it clear, rule 2, that "The Club shall be open to both ladies and gentlemen".

It is good to note, also, that amongst the early supporters of the women's game were Andy Sandham and Herbert Strudwick, of England and previously Mitcham.

Compare this with the (the other MCC), which was founded in 1787, but didn't vote to allow women members until 1998. Until then the only women allowed in the Long Room in the Pavilion at Lord's were the Queen and cleaners. Betty Archdale, who had captained the England women in their first tour of Australia and New Zealand 1934/5 was one of the inaugural women members appointed in 1999.

Mitcham CC elected its first female Vice President in 1956 - Lil Bullock; has recognised the contribution of female members through Club awards - the first women to receive the Burn Bullock Tankard was Wendy Stevens in 1982. The Club also had a female secretary in 1966/7. Two of the current Club Vice Presidents are women.

Even so, we should be careful not to claim too much for the egalitarian credentials of the Mitcham Club. An article in the 1946 Yearbook makes clear that Mitcham needed to do more to enable women and girls to play: "SHALL WE JOIN THE LADIES?" by Hilda K.B. Clarke

...On the day of July 28th 1937, people thronged the Green to see the women's match, Australia v. Surrey. It was a very fine game, and one that will long be remembered by those who watched it.

Since then many things have happened to Mitcham, but the encouragement of Women's cricket hasn't been conspicuous among them. It would be a fine gesture for the Cricket Club to sponsor the formation of a Women's team and understate to coach them.

.... What is really needed is the interest and practical support of the Committee and Members of the Mitcham Cricket Club. So we come back to where we started, ---

"SHOULD WE BE ASKED TO JOIN THE MEN?"

So, it is now 2015. The current Club Secretary has played a single game for the 3rd XI. Colts mums are often the star players of our annual Parents v Colts fixture. We have also had girls joining the colts training on the Green on Sunday mornings and they've played the occasional game alongside the boys. But we've never had enough to run a girls team.

We'd love to do so! Get in touch! Timeline

1926 foundation of Women's Cricket Association

1932 First appearance of Molly Hide in first-class match, for an English XI v Scottish XI at Worcester

1934 First Women's Test Match, Australia v England, Brisbane

1935 Partnership, highest in Tests at that time, of 235 between Betty Snowball and Molly Hide, for England v New Zealand, Christchurch

1936 Women's Cricket Association 1934/35 Touring Team to Australia and NewZealand played a Rest of England XI on the Green, to raise funds to contribute to the visit of the Australian women's team in 1937.

1937 the 1st touring Australian women's team played on the Green vs Surrey. Both teams were given a civic welcome at the Town Hall when an illuminated address was presented to the visiting captain. The crowd at this match was probably the biggest in the club's history.

1938 Surrey v Middlesex, on the Green.

1948 Hazel Sanders included in England Touring team to Australia and New Zealand 1949 Molly Hide and Miss A Bull sat in Committee at Lord's, the first women to do so - the subject, the MCC Cricket Enquiry Committee for the youth of the country.

1951 Australian ladies played at Mitcham, 11 July.

1963 Australian ladies match v Surrey on the Green, 31 July

1973 Surrey v Jamaican Touring team, 25 July. Jamaica were in England for the first women's World Cup.

1976 Australian ladies match v Surrey on the Green, 21 July Sources:

Maiden Over, a short history of women's cricket and a report of the Australian Tour 1948-49, Nancy Joy, Sporting Handbooks Ltd, 1950.

They made cricket, G.D.Martineau, Museum Press Limited, 1956.

Women's cricket touring in 1934/5 and 1948/9, an autobiography by Grace A Morgan, prepared for publication by John C Morgan, GAM Book Publishing, 2009.

Skirting the boundary, a history of women's cricket, Isabelle Duncan, The Robson Press, 2013.

Wisden

Mitcham Cricket Club Yearbooks.

The Cricketer magazine

Fair Play, The Story of Women's Cricket, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Netta Rheinberg, Angus & Robertson, 1976.