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Home , Adam Finch, Alan Gibson, Andrew Flintoff, Callum Parkinson, Charlie Griffith, Chris Woakes

2017 YEARBOOK Patron HRH The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT

Founder President Henry Grierson John RT Barclay

Past Presidents Sir , Sir John Hobbs, Sir George Allen CBE, GO Shelmerdine, H Sutcliffe, H Grierson, F Appleyard, Sir Robert Menzies KT CH QC, AER Gilligan, HEH Gabriel, SC Griffith CBE DFC, JRF Temple, His Hon WA Sime CMG MBE QC, EW Swanton CBE, Sir Leonard Hutton, BAJ Johnston CBE MC, Lt Col JR Stephenson CBE, JA Bailey, Sir Oliver Popplewell, CA Fry.

Honorary Fellows RG Munn, MC Barton, PH Bown, CDE Bazalgette, JA Williams, CF Openshaw, BD Hunter, RCA Hart, JRA Widgery, TS Hale

Honorary Life Members JR Reid OBE, DK Gaekwad, RB Simpson, MJK Smith OBE, R Illingworth CBE, JT Murray MBE, Sir MBE, KK Vervelde, DRW Silk CBE, R Subba Row CBE, MJ Stewart OBE, GHG Doggart OBE, DL Underwood MBE, Lord McLaurin of Knebworth DL, Sir and Group GP Carson.

Officers

Chairman of the Club PW Fawkner-Corbett

Hon Secretary Hon Treasurer Hon Fixtures Secretary Hon Membership Secretary EBC Aitken PL Rebera AK Fare Mrs PM Gaywood 07785 543901 07866 368863 07535 624869 01474 702106 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Curator of WG Grace’s Grave: HD Smith [email protected]

The Officers of the Club plus PA Mason, C Neill, DP Owens, JM Roberts, RAJ Walton and D Witchell.

Dinner Committee: Chairman: TR Woodcock [email protected]

Key Personnel and Services

Cricket Coordinator Cricket Tours Management Secretary, XL Golfing Society Vacant Hasan Jafri - 07882 635228 P Crowcroft [email protected] 020 8568 1140 Rob Nelson - 07710 602866 [email protected] [email protected]

Yearbook Editor Website Manager Club Archivist B Scovell Brad Scarborough C Openshaw 0208 464 4133 07867 127443 01892 538351 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Front Cover: The Forty Club’s convincing victory MCC at Arundel on August 9. Our President John Barclay, Director of the Arundel Castle Foundation, calls the ground “the most beautiful in Britain.” Cricket was first played here in 1895 and some say there is no better place to relax and watch cricket. 3 www.thefortyclub.co.uk and loss of media coverage. Despite the growing popularity THE YEAR IN for the game at Chance to Shine’s 8-15 years demographic, WHEN MCCULLUM school timetables are crowding it out. Older teenagers are not staying with the game. League teams are cancelling league matches at an unprecedented rate. Clubs are closing, and REVIEW generally clubs report greater challenges than ever in raising SAW THE LIGHT and sides.

I start my piece for the 2017 Yearbook with the stats for The fact that ECB’s market research demonstrated that The former New Zealander captain delivered one this past season. The cricketers won 47, lost 55, drew cricket did not feature very highly on youngsters’ lists of of the finest, if not the best, Cowdrey Lectures at 22, abandoned four, tied one and cancelled 66. Of that favourite sports is a major concern, because if kids are not Lord’s on June 6 which was rapturously received disappointing number 66, 40 were cancelled by weather and interested, in 10-20 years’ time there will be no audience at a by 500 people, including many of our members – 13 by the oppositions. We ourselves cancelled 13 fixtures. T20 or a Test match, so there will be no media coverage and Charles Fry, John Barclay and others. On the subject no money. If there is no one to advertise to, there will be no of fair play and honour in the game, we believe it The Golfing Society played 41 times, winning 16, drawing money from advertising. should be set out in detail. five, losing 12 and cancelling two. The golfers toured Scotland and Wales, and took part in the NW district Is the Forty Club affected by some of these issues? Yes, it is, This is what he said: “In the early days of my day. I will report at this juncture that we are becoming much it affects everyone in the amateur game. Has the Forty Club a international career I was proud to be called brash, closer as two bodies, one cricket and one golf, and that this To this end, ECB has proposed a new competition based part to play in resolving the issue? I believe we have. We can aggressive and perhaps even arrogant. When I strengthening relationship can only be good for the Club. around regions instead of counties. This is not just about demonstrate that forward-looking passion and commitment first made the ODI team, I became the money. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to inspire to the game whenever we play. We can encourage incredibly competitive; winning was everything and In addition, there were several cricket tours. A group participation. What we believe will happen for almost six participation and sustained involvement when we talk to I didn’t really care what it took to win. I now look travelled to last spring, the Forty Club won the weeks in the mid-summer is that the world’s superstar the youngsters at school and youth XI fixtures. We can fund back on that part of my game with regret. Four Nations Tournament in La Manga in October, and there players will play for a group of newly-created regional teams fixtures, find venues and organise cricket events for those was a short tour to UAE in November. In February 2017 in venues selected and leased by ECB. who might otherwise not have the means to do so. We can “I’ll tell you how I ran out . there was a tour to , the Quadrangular Tournament develop and broaden our involvement in the Chance to Shine We were playing in in late will be hosted by Holland in Capelle, near Rotterdam in July, The possibilities for innovation are endless. Perhaps your programme. We can play a demonstrably more competitive 2006. When reached his 100, and we are planning a weekend of cricket in Luxembourg in region’s brand-new team, will be dressed in some glorious and active game which attracts younger players and Sri Lanka were nine down – the ball was still in late August. combination of colour and pattern. Perhaps it will go which will serve to retain our schools fixtures card. We can the air being returned to me as wicketkeeper when further than that, and we’ll see players in bespoke apparel demonstrate tangibly that we are a force for good in cricket. Murali left his ground to congratulate Kumar. When Looking at the big picture there’s no doubting that cricket for every playing position! After all, classic whites became the ball arrived I removed the bails and appealed. across the counties is facing challenges around participation novelty coloured pyjamas, so an even more colourful and The key to addressing these tasks, and achieving them, Murali was given out and we went on to win at all ages, as competition with other sports grows, and as imaginative development must be possible. lies with our members, our match managers and our the match. Not surprisingly, the incident created changing lifestyles impact on sport as a whole. However, in district chairmen. controversy and bad feelings. The Sri Lankans these challenging times it is also important to draw upon the As another step, perhaps a different brand strategy could were stunned. Their captain positives, and the 2017 season is going to see, in some areas, help overcome the commercial obstacles that face the ECB: There are clearly challenges. The average age of the Forty said: ‘It’s not the way to play cricket.’ Too late I a record number of teams participate in youth competition. to attract the younger spectators, let’s see more food outlets Club full members recruited in the last 12 months is 47. apologised to Murali and Kumar. I was wrong.” As I write this in Wiltshire, I can report that the Wiltshire sponsoring events and fewer financial services! This number is over seven years too high. At a time when it Youth Cricket League (WYCL) offers cricket from U9s to is harder to find people who can take time off midweek, as U15s and is also involved in administering the ECB U19 T20 Mike McKenna, who was a driving force behind Australia’s well as to find people willing to volunteer, more members competition. The WYCL fixtures for 2017 show that there Big Bash League, which has had remarkable success in re- will lighten the load on existing members. We must also Photo.: Matt Bright will be a 30% increase from 2016 in the number of matches to energizing the game, said, “To reach kids we need cricket encourage younger people to fill our positions of influence be played across the different age group competitions, and that doesn’t look like the cricket they know.” and management. 81 teams will be playing across the different competitions in 2017, as opposed to 67 entrants in 2016. Particular credit for This is very well and good but it does not address the Every playing member of the Forty Club should try and this must go to the many club volunteers who make junior questions about current young adult participation in the recruit new members, and with the match managers and cricket happen. This promising picture is being repeated in game. In time, we hope that all those youngsters in the 81 district chairmen being particularly key we need quality, other counties across the UK. WYCL teams will grow up to be ardent and enthusiastic dynamic and committed people in every post. We must league and social cricketers playing once or twice a week. encourage people to make it their business to recruit a However, cricket generally has an image problem. The game But the evidence at the moment is that this is not the case. new member, and be committed, enthusiastic and keen to is in slow decline. Not for sporting reasons – the action has If at all, once a week is enough. A shorter form of the game promote the Club. never been more exciting – but because of its inability to is being preferred. An earlier start and an earlier finish suits communicate with anyone outside cricket. Hopefully this is the social life better. The lads like their cricket, but they’re not I am sure that we all value our game, and want to sustain it. about to change. The T20 format has already removed some that motivated that they’ll devote lots of time to it. Want to If we want to do this then every single XL member must be of the old barriers. It is short, fast and noisy. Yet, the average play cricket? Yeah, wotevver! a salesman, and every fixture is an opportunity to encourage supporter in this country is still white, male and 48 years old. people to become life-long cricket lovers. With the county game millions in debt, it needs to find some Let’s face it – cricket is at a crossroads. It is suffering from new spectators to come to the events. loss of players, loss of local interest and respect for the game Barry Aitken Honorary Secretary 4 5 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk LOOKING FOR TOUGH TIMES

BALANCE I will remember 2016 as a worryingly poor year for cricket. The weather played a much greater part than we would wish for. I cannot think of a recent season in How did you take up the sport of cricket? Did it which so many games – more than fifty in fact – were come from your father? Most members of the current cancelled or abandoned due to waterlogged pitches or squads are sons of cricketers. And from our heavy showers. This had a direct impact on the Club ranks, were you inspired to play it after watching, finances as match fees are a major revenue stream. reading or listening about the exploits of great cricketers? For me, it was listening to the exploits of The Club’s financial position remains stable. This is on a battered portable radio in the mainly due to an increase in the annual subscription Lord Treloar Hospital in Alton in the late 1940s. In fees last year. We were, however, unable to grow our 1963, I had him and bowled for 75 in Brian income from the advertising initiative introduced Statham’s benefit match at Dewsbury and the 3,000 in 2015. Therefore I warmly invite all club members crowd, many Compo worshippers, were not very to identify, from their personal and professional happy. He put his arm round me and said “well networks, individuals, businesses Balance sheet as at 30 September 2016 Notes 2016 2015 bowled son.” “Sorry,” I said. “The ball slipped out of and organisations which could my hand. It was a fluke.” be interested in advertising in the £ £ Club’s publications, fixture card or Current assets Today our game has no one with the mass appeal of yearbook. Any leads or questions Advance payments 1(a) - 1,323 a Compton. I believe this is one of the reasons why a should be addressed to Peter Mason, Lloyds Bank Plc: General account 11,854 4,109 large number of youngsters are no longer playing it. or any of the executive committee. General No2 account 15,541 21,033 In his report Barry Aitken highlighted this problem Dinner account 3,270 10,764 and backed the ECB’s plan to hold a Big Bash-like T20 The annual dinner was held in competition between city and town franchises starting October at the Kia Oval. Our dinner 30,665 37,229 in 2020. The counties, especially the smaller ones like chair, Ian Witchell, puts a great deal the demoted and penalised Durham, are apprehensive of time and effort into organising Less: Current liabilities about the asset-stripping about to happen, with their this quality, showpiece event. Advance receipts 1(b) 3,189 8,070 stars set to be plucked out to play for city teams. Unfortunately, poor attendance Net current assets 27,476 29,159 meant the Club had to make a greater We know that there are large deficits among the contribution than usual towards the counties but they struggle on, mainly through overall cost. Unpleasant though it Representing: volunteers who love the game. The planners are understand the real meaning of playing the game with is to say, the Club can neither afford General fund/account saying the counties will receive a great monetary class. The bad can soon drive out the good. Getting nor justify running events at a loss. Balance 1 October 2015 25,142 25,510 boost through a TV deal from an English equivalent the right balance and protecting is not Thus if members do not support this (Deficit) / surplus for the year (page 4) 7,744 4,989 of the Big Bash, but I question this. The bubble soon going to be easy to achieve – patience is needed. event in sufficient numbers, it may Transfer to/from No. 2 (5,500) (5,357) might burst, with young people now able to watch not be viable in the longer term. Transfer to Dinner reserve fund - - highlights of Premier League football and Test and Like our President, I worship Sir Garfield Sobers and Efforts should be devoted to boosting 27,386 25,142 T20 cricket through their smartphones for free. I too, was at when he was caught by Brian attendance at this key event. Close first ball for 0. I wrote his first autobiography There has to be a sensible balance between T20, in 1988 and I have just brought out my 27th book I would like to thank the district Dinner reserve fund/account cricket’s equivalent of pop music, and Test cricket, the “Conquests of 1966” about the World Cup and the chairmen, the executive committee, Balance at 1 October 2015 10,764 751 classical music. Pop fans are inspired to see their heroes series between England – packed with heroic big and all those who have helped Surplus / (deficit) for the year (page 5) (8,184) (2,117) and pack out the O2 Arena. Lord’s does just as well as named players – and the West Indies, dominated by me over the course of the season. Transfer to/from General fund - 5,357 ever, but without genuine heroes who show the true one man, the greatest cricketer of all. Can we find Particular thanks are due to Celeste Movement on Advances and Receipts - 6,773 Henry Grierson spirit, sportsmanship and fair play we another like him to inspire our current generation and Ian, who expedited their audits 2,580 10,764 will continue to struggle to fill the other grounds. of children to fall in love with this game which we in order to make the accounts ready already adore? for the AGM. When spectators start cheering when a four whizzes off the edge through an empty cordon you realise Brian Scovell Peter Rebera Advances and Receipts (2,490) (6,747) that we are bringing up a generation who don’t Yearbook editor Honorary Treasurer 27,476 29,159

6 7 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk STATS CORNER - BADGE

TIME THE YEAR IN NUMBERS MARCHES ON Jon Thornton from Dulwich has amassed almost Macdonald-Barker played his 250th match and took 5,000 runs after joining the Forty Club in 2011. If his 250th – he has played for the Club in each he keeps that up – averaging around 810 runs each of the past 23 seasons but he lags just behind Colin year – he may well exceed ’s Anderson and Jim Inglis, who each notched up their Think back 60 years and you may well remember world-record tally of 15,921 scored between 25th consecutive season in 2016. what you were doing then, possibly rather better 1989 and 2013. Jon, who is self-employed as than what you were doing yesterday. I can. I was an accountant, would take 11 years to pass the The most significant milestone, however, was only two then but, for all that, I have a vivid Tendulkar record at his current rate. Last year he achieved unwittingly by Mike Wicks who retired image of Oakman pouching catches – perched played in 28 XL matches and went on three XL tours. in 2011 having taken 598 for the Forty Club. precariously on his head – in Laker’s leg trap at Following a decision to include performances in T20 Old Trafford. A wet pitch, hot sun, sharp turn, the **** matches in the Club’s records (there is now an official Aussies all at sea. A different world. T20 competition each year in the Quadrangular Although one third of the Forty Club matches in 2016 Tournament) the records were updated, taking Move on ten years and it was Sobers, my ultimate were cancelled – 66 of 195 fixtures arranged – there Mike’s final total to 603, more than 200 ahead of hero, who alongside , captured my were still sufficient opportunities for a number of Gordon Potter’s 400 - unlikely ever to be challenged. soul, and many others too. Sobers, caught Close members to reach significant landmarks. bowled Snow 0 at The Oval. I saw it. I was there. Mike is second place (with 532) on the list of I’m ashamed to say I was deeply disappointed. For Wicket-keeping all-rounder Tom Carmichael and those who have played most matches for the Club me, he was immortal. How could this happen? all-rounder Colin Neill both passed the which pales into insignificance behind Ron Hart 2,500 run mark. who stretched his remarkable total (and no doubt his Fast forward ten years to 1976 and we’re back at hamstrings and calf muscles too) to 735 by the end of The Oval – huge , a parched white-grassed Amongst the bowlers, John Hawkins, who took 24 the summer. outfield and , surely the most wickets in the season, has now taken more than 200 beautiful of all West Indian bowlers, in his prime. wickets in total and both Brian Brogden and Sandy Carl Openshaw And behind him a clutch of fast bowlers queuing Baird took their totals past 100 wickets. Tony Archivist and statistician up to bowl at unhelmeted England batsmen. Who remembers ?

Strangely, as we creep up to now, I remember less and less. 1986, 1996, 2006 have passed me by somewhat until, all of a sudden, here we are, involved with one of one of the world’s great and most influential cricket clubs. At Arundel last sharp and incisive wit combined so well with his summer, MCC and the Forty Club joined hands profound knowledge of the game and those who rather than crossed swords in a joyous celebration bring it alive. of the cricket played between the two clubs; between them, they have done, amongst many other And of course it’s all about people; a club without things, so much to influence and encourage school members wouldn’t be much fun and it’s the match- cricket and the young – thousands of matches managers, area representatives and many, many spread far and across the country and serving others, who give it momentum. Thank you for to help sustain the game, its spirit and much-loved having me as your President. It is a joy to be so traditions. Long may this continue. closely associated with a club whose members give so generously to the game and have such fun in the Jon Thornton – Tendulkar in his sights And so back to The Oval where this year we process. On on. celebrated our anniversary in style at an annual dinner where the breadth of cricketing love and knowledge knew no bounds. Jason Gallian from Felsted School spoke with charm and humour and, in so doing, represented those hundreds of schools that provide the Forty Club with such rich and vibrant opposition. And he was followed by , MCC’s President this year, whose

8 9 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Executive Committee but once my duties at on the committee increased, I had to resign. I packed up THE BLACK playing at 50. I was fielding at slip when an edge passed me and had to turn and chase it to the boundary. A younger CHAIRMEN fielder shouted ‘don’t worry, leave it to me’ which was a bit TIE IS humbling because he started out from cover! I managed to pick the ball, turned and tried to throw. The ball went a few WITH XL yards and I thought ‘that’s it, time to retire.’” DITCHED AT He never wore a helmet. And one of his mentors, Reg Simpson, who scored lots of runs for XL, never wore one. BREEDING He went to his funeral in 2013. He also went to South THE OVAL Africa to attend the funeral of Clive Rice, the dynamic captain of Notts when they won the Championship. “It The Forty Club recorded a most unusual hat trick last June was mammoth,” he said. “Around 1,000 turned up and when Richard Tennant, who joined the Club in 1992, was one who did was who flew in from the This was the first and last time when casual dress This didn’t happen this time. Our President made chairman of Nottinghamshire CCC. He was the US. Clive got him to join Notts and that was his way was worn at a Forty Club annual dinner. The Dinner conducted a lively 19 minute conversation with his third XL member to be made chairman of English cricket’s to recognise the big part he played in his life. He’s a Committee unanimously went for class and asked friend Jason Gallian, the Cricket Master at Felsted friendliest county. The first was the much-loved Alan controversial character but he does have a good side.” attendees to wear black tie this year. School who is famous more for chucking KP’s kitbag Wheelhouse, a solicitor who played 17 first-class matches over the balcony from the home dressing room at for the county and was chairman between 1994 until he The appointment of John Barclay as our President led Trent Bridge in 2003 than his 15,266 first class runs died in 1998. The second was Peter Wright, managing to major changes for staging the annual dinner, in the for Oxford University, Nottinghamshire, director of Gunn and Moore. Club’s 80th year last year. The venue was switched and Essex. Born of English parents in Manly, from the Long Room at Lord’s to Room in Australia, he played three Tests for England scoring After England dramatically tied the first ODI against Sri the OCS Stand at the Kia Oval, saving members £40 per 74 runs and was a prolific right-handed batsman and Lanka at a packed Trent Bridge when hit the head, and it wasn’t compulsory to wear evening dress. a county captain of distinction. last ball for six, Richard and his colleagues met a delegation from ECB to try and find a suitable plan to revamp English The speeches took 42 minutes, roughly the same as Jason was coy about the KP affair saying “it has been cricket. “Talks continued with the counties all summer and the previous year but there was only one main speech, well documented.” But this is what KP said in his I’ve been very impressed with their thoroughness,” said a very amusing, self-deprecating one from the new autobiography: “During the game I told the captain Richard. “We live in changing times and we need to adapt. MCC President Matthew Fleming, the nephew of that I wasn’t happy and that I wanted to leave. I am very optimistic about the future of the game. I think Richard sold several of his businesses and much of his Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, and a brief After the game we spoke in the dressing the Forty Club could be involved more now that cricket time is now spent with the county. He said: “We’ve one from our President. In the days of Jim room and then went to have dinner. I got in schools is in decline. Many public schools do play it but made fantastic progress in recent seasons and we were Swanton, and Lord Birkett, a call saying the captain had trashed some are now wanting short-form games. Hardly any state lucky to have three outstanding CEOs – Mark Arthur, we listened to four speakers, and my equipment. I was told the captain schools can spare the time for cricket and that’s how our now with , Derek Brewer, now secretary of nearly always most of them spoke for had said ‘if he doesn’t want to play members can help. ECB have a programme to take cricket MCC and Lisa Pursehouse, who worked under Derek around 20 minutes each. for Notts he can **** off.’ I haven’t to schools. We could do that, for example we could offer for seven years and was at Yorkshire earlier.” spoken to Gallian since, nor have coaching to youngsters at state schools.” Bob Munn, who was chairman of I received an apology.” Pietersen In the last three years the turnover has soared well over the Dinner Committee and was in had to complete the last year of Richard’s father Dick, an officer serving in the Indian army, £10m and being the first county to have a female CEO charge of overseas tours, preferred his contract with Notts but “didn’t was an XL member and when asked how old was he when has led to a more appealing approach to the supporters. speakers who had outstanding class enjoy [it] at all.” he was introduced to cricket, Richard laughed and said: One example: the press box behind the arm on the but in these times of 140 characters “Straight from the day I was born. He threw a ball at Ratcliffe Road End is right on top of the sightscreen, on , today’s sportsmen need Jason presented the Herbert Hunter me at a very young age in the garden and he was a stickler too low for ICC requirements, but they overcame the time to talk with friends over a drink. Trophy to Roly Walton for and for playing the forward defensive shot properly. Of course, problems of press people moving around to distract the A friend drove him from his home in West Sussex winning the Inter District that’s no longer a common shot. It’s giving it a whack now.” players by putting up notices ‘do not move when the Weston-Super-Mare to Kennington and they Tournament. And Matthew presented The bowling is at this end.’ They’ve now softened it adding safely completed the 280 mile round trip in the early Forty Club Trophy to Robert Smith, District “I played for Nottingham High School and had my first ‘otherwise you might be embarrassed’. hours. A great example of keenness: well done. Chairman of Eastern Counties on behalf of the winners, game for XL when Reg, the captain, discovered his side was Bedford Modern School. one short against MCC,” said Richard. “I managed to score There are a good number of veteran cricket lovers Barry Aitken, our compere, delivered a unique grace, 20 or so. I joined the Club when I was 40 in 1992 and my dressed in smart green jackets as stewards and one sits possibly the longest in the Club’s history, perhaps the At Lord’s the year before nearly all the district’s first game was at Ratcliffe College and the captain asked in the press box to make sure no-one moves. They are longest ever. It was well received. Plenty of sports winning schools were well represented but only three me to field at cover. That was the prime fielding spot in delightful people who know and love the game, and clubs have forsaken set speeches and use someone to were present this time: Kent and East Sussex (Rod Ody those days and they obviously thought I was a good player. have a welcoming smile. That is so important in sport. interview a famous player. This may have been forced and Robbie Matthews from Alleyn’s School), North on them because so many sportsmen are unable to West (Chris Smith Mahon at Sedburgh School) and “Alan Wheeelhouse was chairman of the East Midlands Richard personifies this and the Forty Club, and make good speeches. Their agent gives them a few Scotland (James Guy, Paul Davies and Alister Minnis at and when he took over as chairman at the county I cricket generally, is lucky to have him in command of a clichés and the audience feel let down. Lomond School). succeeded him. I enjoyed being a member of the XL thriving part of this great game. It certainly isn’t dying.

10 11 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk In his third Test at Mohali a rising smashed ANOTHER STAR ON into his left-hand glove. In the second he batted THE HORIZON with an adjusted grip – necessitated by the broken HASEEB – ENGLAND’S finger – and made 59 off 156 balls as England fought to prolong the game. He’s brave all right. and were dimissed needlessly trying to Harry Brooks of Sedbergh School, who has played against hook Shami’s bouncers. They should have heeded XL, has all the qualities to succeed as a First Class cricketer. NEW SUPERSTAR Haseeb’s example – he just sways out of their way – He plays for England U19s and made his first team debut and attempted to emulate his courage. for Yorkshire against A last year. Richard Evans, our former Cricket Co-ordinator, reckons that “he is a very Even before this innings we’d caught glimpses of promising number 3 right-hand batsman.” was beating down at Arundel on August 8, Hameed’s maturity and understated nature. In the 2012 when our President and Director of the Arundel first Test at Rajkot, when he was dismissed for 82 Foundation John Barclay, our editor and others were – described by former Wisden editor and current watching Bolton School take on Whitgift School Telegraph cricket correspondent Scyld Berry as “the in Croydon in the final of the U15 English Schools best debut innings I’ve seen in the last forty years” tournament. It was their first glimpse of the new young – he looked up to his family standing below the English star Haseeb Hameed or ‘Has’ as his dressing rooms and smiled coyly: no sign of a raised friends call him. clenched glove or an aggressive shout of triumph. Even when cruelly ran him out in the first “We were all taken with his undoubted class and innings of the second Test he showed little emotion, composure,” says John. “What a talent!” Hameed, allowing himself only to bang his bat against a pad as almost 16, scored 83 of a winning total of 134-0 he crossed the boundary. while his partner Callum Parkinson scored 41. In that game’s second innings, he faced 144 balls for his Hameed and the Parkinson twins – Matt, a leg-spinner, 25, a vigil only ended by a delivery which kept horribly also played that day – all came through Bolton School and low and bowled him. If he’d stayed there England the Lancashire youth system. Four years later Hameed knew what he wanted: to succeed as a batsman with might have saved the game. Only lasted has made a meteoric rise to the England team, Callum Lancashire. Malvern College offered him a scholarship longer at the crease – 199 balls were faced by Cook in has played in Lancashire’s first team and Matt is now at their cricket academy and Worcestershire wanted to the match to Hameed’s 194. with Leicestershire after a short stint with Derbyshire. sign him. But he was training at Lancashire and Mike To produce three county cricketers in one school year Watkinson who was in charge of their academy made Patience is his greatest virtue, but he is no blocker; is remarkable. “It was our golden period,” says Bolton sure he would stay. Several old boys chipped in to his sixth scoring shot in Test cricket was a straight- HAMEED UNLIKELY TO School cricket coach Alan Compton – apparently no provide a scholarship for him at Bolton School. driven six, and he is certain to outdo Boycott’s eight relation to Denis, our editor’s childhood hero! Test sixes. MATCH JOHN STUCK “He has a wonderful temperament, never ruffled,’ continues The Parkinsons wreaked havoc in two Andy. His father wasn’t too happy about him being Alastair Cook had him fielding at short leg, only four encounters with the Forty Club in 2012 compared to Geoff Boycott. Geoff was a great yards from the bat. Hopefully Joe Root will take more One of our members, 73-year-old John Stuck, appeared in All and 2013 but had Hameed not been technical player but Haseeb has his own style care of his precious cargo: he should be moved to a Out Cricket in their feature “The 100 Hundreds Club”. John playing for Lancashire U17s at the of play. Once he scored a hundred in two safer position to avoid further injuries. told AOC: “I’ve made 111,000 recorded runs, and recently time the matches would have been T20 matches on the same day. It proved brought up 1,000 catches behind the wicket. I was on 192 even shorter in duration. On the that he could accelerate. If he has a hero, I centuries last season and scored eight more to reach the 200.” coach home from Arundel they think it would be Joe Root. played the song “Sweet Dreams John, born in Ipswich on November 19, 1943, is probably (Are Made of This)” by The “The word to describe him is the oldest playing member to join XL – he was 67 when he Eurythmics. How apt. meticulous. He makes sure he has his filled in his application form in 2011. So far he has played feet in the right place to play the ball. 15 innings with an average of 30, a total of 670 runs and a “It’s one of the outstanding cricket He doesn’t hook the ball, not yet. But highest score of 96. He has been on three XL tours – to Dubai, schools in the country,” says Peter when he fills out and gets stronger, he and Sri Lanka. Other clubs include Long Melford and Syddall, the match’s manager and a probably will.” Clacton, and he opened for Suffolk between 1969-1979. His governor at Bolton School. Peter’s son only List A appearance was in a Gillette Cup fixture v Sussex played in the same school side and now He is tall and slim – just over six feet and in 1969. He was dismissed for a by the 90mph bowling plays for Cheshire. weighing no more than ten stone – and appears of – “no disgrace” according to the left-hander. as though he has only just started shaving. He does a Andy, now 61, is still producing talent. “Haseeb had good, cheery interview and he comes over as a pleasant John might just hold another record too. “Technically I’ve a bat in his hand at a very young age,” he says. “His young man who enjoys what he does. His Indian-born always played square-on, so before helmets I used to get hit father has virtually devoted his life to bringing him up parents brought up their four children in an admirable in the head quite a lot,” said the batsman. “I probably held to become a First Class cricketer, him balls in way and there seems no danger of him running off the the record for stiches in my head!” Luckily for us, the opener the garden, even in the front room. He had good grades rails. By the evidence on offer on his first England tour, isn’t nearly finished yet. “I have no plans to retire,” said in his A-levels but wasn’t cut out for Oxbridge. He Henry Grierson would have approved of him. John. “As long as my body lets me play, I’ll carry on.”

12 13 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk THE MAN WHO TOOK Pakistan involving local umpires and watering cans can be well and truly forgiven!’ THE RAP Donald joined the Forty Club in 1967 and had a wonderful sense of humour; he would have relished the joke. An obituary of his enormously adventurous and Former England Test captain ’s funeral happy life is featured later in the Yearbook. last July, at the Christ Church, Radlett, was a joyous celebration of a well-loved cricketer and administrator. One anecdote among many drew the most mirth.

In 1955 while on tour with an MCC ‘A’ side, Donald invited Idris Baig, a Pakistani who had made several questionable decisions which hampered the MCC in a previous fixture, for a drink in a hotel room. However, after being given a drink, Donald and one other player – reportedly – tipped a can of water over the umpire, soaking him.

Baig roared with laughter along with everyone else, so we can be sure there were no hard feelings, but others took umbrage. An international incident was on the cards, and Lord Alexander, then-President of MCC, offered to cancel the rest of the tour. That it didn’t escalate further was only because Donald took sole responsibility and apologised.

In his tribute to his father, John Carr addressed Rev. Javaid Iqbal, who was holding the service: “Javaid, I’m sure that Dad with a twinkle in his eye will be delighted to have this service taken by you, such a keen cricketer of Pakistani heritage, and will feel that this is the very best way to ensure that he can rest in peace, safe in the knowledge that any unfortunate incidents on tour in

TOO LATE TO SIGN UP GARY BUT WHAT ABOUT HARRY?

Our editor has known Gary Lineker since his England “Cricket definitely helped my sporting career. It’s a debut and when he caught up with the striker at the gentleman’s game, whereas football obviously isn’t! There is FWA Footballer of the Year dinner at the Landmark Hotel a lot of discipline and concentration required in cricket and it last May he suggested he ought to play a few relaxing is natural you’d take some of those elements into other sports matches for XL. you play. I never got a yellow or red card in my career. THE FEMALE WG female speaker at a dinner but former President Charles “I’m a bit too old for that now, sadly,” said England’s record “My cricket background probably helped me to remain Fry invited her to speak on many occasions, but she was World Cup goalscorer. In an interview published in the calm on the football field, though I was always a placid always too busy. Not only did she have all the duties listed August edition of “The Cricketer” he said “My favourite day person and didn’t have much of a temper. I don’t play above, in her later years she had to care for her husband was in 1989, playing in a benefit game. David anymore. It is quite hard if you only play a few matches Former Wisden editor Scyld Berry described Rachael Derrick Flint, a former CCC leg-spinner. English was organising it and he said he was short of two a year to get any feel of timing and my eyesight’s not Heyhoe Flint as “the WG Grace of women’s cricket” after players. I said ‘I can’t do that, I’m playing a pre-season game so good anymore! But I still watch a lot of cricket. I was her death on January 18 aged 77 and he was right. She was In the 1990s she applied to become the secretary of MCC for Tottenham against West Ham. So he said I could just bat in at the Oval Test last year for the Ashes. “My son Harry one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of English but was turned down. She led the eventually successful the morning and leave. So I played at Finchley and there was is a very keen cricket fan so I’ll often take him along sport – England hockey goalkeeper, England’s unbeaten campaign to allow women to join MCC. I covered her and a few others bowling and I managed to to watch.” In 1990 Lineker appeared on “Desert Island Test captain, an opening batsman with an average in inauguration as one of MCC’s first ten Honorary Life knock up 112 before lunch. I then sneaked off and scored a hat- Discs” and chose Wisden Almanack as the book he would excess of 45, the driving force behind the first World Members in 1999 for the Daily Mail. I said to her “did they trick at White Hart Lane in the evening. take with him. Cup, a PE teacher, a sports journalist, a broadcaster, a have the flags waving when you drove through the Grace director of Wolverhampton Wanderers, a public speaker, Gates?” She laughed. “No, they told me to turn round and and much else besides. The Forty Club has never had a go to the back entrance.” She was a great battler.

14 15 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk AN AERIAL “No-one told me,”said Richard. “I travelled 150 miles to get there.” The match began at 2.50 and XL JOHN WOODCOCK, THE BOMBARDMENT won by 76 runs. Jon Thornton and David Mann both DOYEN OF CRICKET scored 91 in the Club’s 233-4 and Match Manager Alan Newman took 3.22. WRITERS, IS SPLENDIDLY

Most people have experienced being hit by a smelly HONOURED dollop from a passing bird and it used to be called “good luck.” Alan Pearce, one of our XL longserving CHRIS SUTTON MAKES umpires, didn’t feel particularly lucky when he was HIS BOW! on the receiving end of a gift from the sky during The sun blazed down on Longparish next to the River a match between Syston and Woodhouse Eaves in Test in on Saturday, August 6, the day before Leicestershire last year. the 90th birthday of John Woodcock, who joined the Forty Last December Chris Sutton made his debut on Match Club in 1967. As a Corinthian and close friend of the late Alan says: “I was at square leg and almost as if out of the Day alongside Lineker and Alan Shearer and Sir he is a fervent believer in the Club’s of nowhere a flock of what I assumed were geese was an instant success. “Great debut,” said Lineker ideals, although he has never played a game for XL. More flew very low across the ground, making a hell of a as he wound up the programme. than a hundred cricketing friends turned up for the first noise. Some of the players were covering their heads occasion. because of the droppings.” Chris, who lives in Wroxham, Norfolk has played in matches for Eastern Counties as an aggressive all- On the next day his friends organized another party in The geese took off from a neighbouring field behind rounder. He had a similar ‘up and at ‘em’ approach the garden of his 17th house, ‘The Old Curacy’. the scoreboard and were heading towards a nearby in his long football career at Blackburn Rovers, In attendance were 250 members of the village out of lake when they decided to relieve themselves. Chelsea, Celtic, City and Aston Villa. a population of 700. It was a wonderful illustration of Capped by England in a match against Cameroon in village life and its qualities. Michael Shipman, the other umpire, said “I think 1997, he fell out with Glenn Hoddle, who was then umpires are going to wear crash helme: at this England manager, and wasn’t selected for the ’98 ‘The Sage of Longparish’, as he was named by cricket ground in future.” World Cup squad. writer Alan Gibson, was born a big six hit from the nearby St. Nicholas Church and he has lived there all his One of his sons went to Gresham School, in Holt, and life, except for the time spent away on a large number he played for XL at the school and also at Norwich of cricket tours he undertook as cricket and rugby RICHARD BENNETT School. In his sixteen years as a professional he correspondent for the between ’54 and ‘87. GAZUMPED! scored 148 goals in 409 matches and he had brief Besides cricket – he kept wicket efficiently – the lifelong talking to the Doyen period as manager of Lincoln. His pungent views on bachelor was an Oxford Blue in hockey, was a good shot the game have now taken him to the top of his new and loved fishing. 3 Hubert Doggart, former England and Sussex captain. profession, as a critic. Now 91, he is the oldest surviving England cricketer Six days after XL’s win over MCC at Arundel, He became good friends with many professional Richard Bennett encountered an unfortunate Ron Newman, a colleague of Chris’s at Norwich City, cricketers; if there was a contest to be voted the most- 4 John Barclay, former Sussex captain and MCC misunderstanding. Our game against Sussex has also played XL for Eastern Counties. loved cricket writer in the history of the game he would President, and current President of XL Martlets at The Saffrons in Eastbourne was Rob Nelson said: “He played for Bristol City, be a strong contender for the top prize. He persuaded down for a 1.30 start but was booked by another Norwich, Southend and Bournemouth and managed many ex-pros to play for his team on the nearby ground 5 , former batsman and past organisation and at a late stage the match was Cambridge and now is one of City’s of Longparish CC, and in 1987 they won the National chairman of the TCCB (now ECB) switched to Bolney. scouting team.” Village Championship at Lord’s. 6 Charles Fry, former chairman of MCC and XL Past A most self-effacing man, he gave a short two minute speech President during the first party, thanking everyone for coming and said “I was going to say something else but I’ve forgotten.” 7 Jack Bailey, Essex fast medium bowler and former SIBTON PARK CC’S TEAM He sat down to a standing ovation. One of his relatives secretary of MCC EFFORT TO BOWL OUT XL Steve Simonini, the match manager, said “it was a called for a toast accompanied by three “hip, hip hurrahs”. thumping defeat. They had a hell of a team out on the day. 8 Robin Marlar, Sussex captain and former President of On paper we had a cracking side, but we did not perform MCC and they most certainly did. Their openers blasted away A FULL TEAM OF DISTINGUISHED CRICKET Sibton Park used ten bowlers when they bowled out very quickly and every one of their outfield players got a NAMES TURN UP AT WOODERS’ 90TH 9 Tim Tremlett, former Hampshire fast bowler a Forty Club side for 90 at Lyminge, Kent last August. bowl - and they all bowled extremely well. The spin they Only their wicketkeeper Dan Marsh did not bowl, while all got was incredible! 1 Mike Brearley, (see photo) former England and 10 Tim Rice, lyricist and lifetime captain of The their eighth change, Jack Gooding, took our last wicket Middlesex captain and current chairman of the ICC World Heartaches CC. Needs three more catches at slip to reach with his first ball, and so registered figures of 0.1-0-0-1! “It’s always a great game to be involved in though. Cricket Committee his hundred XL employed only six bowlers and lost by 108 runs – They are a great club and look after us very well sometimes more is more! every season.” 2 Raman Subba Row, former England opener and past 11 Matthew Engel, cricket writer for and chairman of the TCCB (now ECB) former editor of the Wisden Almanack

16 17 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk John played 21 first class matches, including seven LESBOURNE EDWARDS for Hampshire. “There were happy days after World FAILS TO BREAK War II with good men like Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie, the captain, Desmond Eagar, his predecessor and my THROUGH friend Leo Harrison. Leo died last year at the age of 94 along with two other Hampshire players, Jimmy Gray, the opening batsman and medium-pace bowler, and Vic Cannings who both died in October 2015.” Despite the valiant efforts of one of our members Tom Carmichael, Lesbourne Edwards has been unable to Gray, who was 90, joined the Forty Club but when impress Northamptonshire’s bosses. he retired from Hampshire he became a deputy head at Stroud School in Romsey and hardly played Lesbourne’s prodigious innings of 107 not out for the for the Club. John was a colleague of Cannings at Southwark Schools XI in 2015 convinced Tom that he might Warwickshire and he said “he was a very good swing develop into a county T20 player. He hit 13 sixes and six bowler and when he joined Hampshire fours off 27 balls in his century. he blossomed.”

Tom, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, grew up in John, the son of Rear Admiral Sir Errol Manners, KBE Northamptonshire and contacted their head coach David (1883-1953), said “Ingleby-Mackenzie’s father was a Ripley, thinking it would be a good idea to suggest a trial Vice Admiral and Colin did his National Service in the for him. navy.” When Colin was President of MCC between 1996 and 1998 women were admitted as members and A year later Tom told us “Lesbourne had a couple of he oversaw the building of the Media Centre. matches for the second team and didn’t make many runs. But he had a good season at Wanstead CC so he might John has cut down his time watching cricket on TV. come good somewhere else.” “There’s far too much of it, you get tired of it.” One In a robust interview with Simon Wilde, the cricket of his chief pleasures is to read ’s correspondent of The Sunday Times, he said “There’s a lack reports in The Times. “I walk to the newsagents every of understanding about what happens with TV nowadays day to collect my copy and I like his reports. The GILES CLARKE GAINS and an illusion that young people would watch for six Times is very good but has too much advertising. My ACCOLADES hours of cricket available on terrestrial TV. Viewing habits friend Chapman Pincher, who died at 100 two years have changed. Many young people do not watch TV. ago, used to say when he came in to work at the Express ’40 pages, how on earth do we fill it?’” “Had we stayed with terrestrial it would have resulted Out of the 50,000 or so members of the Forty Club since in an enormous loss of income and we could not have it was launched in 1936 to our knowledge only one has done many of the things we did – paid the England team had a picture of his head dominating a whole page in The what they are paid now, provided money for floodlights Cricketer. In the September edition the 63 year old Giles and proper drainage for the grounds and spending more TAMMY STRIKES OUT came in at 20 in “The Power List – The 50 most influential money on women and disabled people. I’m certain we people in the English game, those who are shaping its made the right decisions. The professional game here future.” would have died.” Giles is still a powerful man in cricket: he is the president of ECB. When she was in her teens, Tammy Beaumont, English Named as number one was the combative Colin Graves, Womens’ Cricketer of 2016, played several matches the 68 year old chairman of ECB who succeeded Giles against XL. She represented Kent and played for the in 2015. No. 2 was , ECB Director of Sandwich CC men’s second team on her road to being England cricket. In third place was Shashank Manohar, CONGRATULATIONS TO LT capped by the senior England side. aged 58, the first independent chairman of ICC charged COMD DSC with making the organisation more accountable and Last year she was thinking about taking another job but more democratic, who resigned recently but was Mark Robinson, appointed as the England Womens’ persuaded to stay on until the financial distribution of head coach last year, advised her to stay with it and try money is resolved. John Manners, aged 102, is now the oldest first class to be more aggressive. “I think he saw something in my cricketer in the world following the death of the South game,” she said. Giles’ eight years as chairman were controversial. He was African bowler Norman Gordon. As usual, he flew off to criticised for his decision to sell all rights to show in January to stay with his relatives – alone. “It’s What a change! She left behind her Boycottian style and played in England to Sky, his ill-fated dealings with US- a horrid journey but you get used to it,” he said. He joined became a hitter. Last June she struck 168 not out in an born Allen Stanford who is now serving 110 years in jail MCC in 1937 and he believes he is the longest serving ODI against Pakistan at the second highest ODI and his pushing through the ICC reforms which put first member. He will be there at the Lord’s Test for two or score by an English woman. the wants of the so-called Big Three – India, Australia and three days. “I just about stagger there,” he said. England – at the expense of the smaller countries.

18 19 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk SOBERS – THE GREATEST? six sixes in his career whereas Gary was the first to hit six in Friday and went on a bender with his friend Reg Scarlett years late he wrote “Sobers rates as the greatest all-rounder one over. Bradman was an accumulator. Gary went out to until 5am. Back at the team hotel he couldn’t sleep and I ever saw. I am not going to rely on figures – impressive win games and didn’t think of his average. He’d be a star in when he resumed his innings, he started to miss the ball. though they are – to judge him. The first thing about him T20 and would have been a multi-millionaire.” He said to umpire Charlie Elliott “I feel bad, I need to was his beautiful build. He possessed a trim, lithe body In boxing, Muhammad Ali was ‘The Greatest’. No dispute come off.” That was the Test where a bomb scare held and moved with a deceptive feline grace characteristic of about that. In football, Pele is still hailed as ‘The Greatest’ – Mike Smith, who was the England captain at the start of up play and skipper told the 12th West Indians. He was superb in any fielding position. although Ronaldo and Messi might overtake him soon. the 1966 series against the West Indies in England, was man “give Gary a brandy and port.” A second His control in his bowling was immaculate. sitting on the same table as Griffith. “The first time I saw followed. And he went back out there and Every ball is different, changing from slow But in cricket we still cling on to the idea that Sir Don him in Barbados I thought ‘what a roll up’ – he came out batted on to 150 before Kanhai declared to quick medium in a flash of his arm. His Bradman was ‘The Greatest’ because his Test average of there and started hitting the ball all over the place,” he said. on 652-8, with the West Indies winning versatility made him a captain’s dream. 99.94 was 38.97 higher than the next batsman, the South “ was batting with him and was completely by an innings and 226 runs. But it was his batting that shone the African left-hand batsman . overshadowed by this amazing new left-hander. Gary brightest. He was always charming, could do everything. I don’t think there was anyone to At Wormsley he reckoned he had to approachable and modest.” match him.” said “when Gary talks, you listen. cut down on his intake. “I play golf Because he talks sense.” When someone asked Gary if he most days with a buggy but recently Sobers reckoned his 1966 tour was was the best, he backed off. “Well,’ he said modestly, “the I’m on some tablets and I don’t drive his best and his figures confirmed it. best all-rounder.” any more. The Government lay on a In the five Tests, he scored 722 runs in chauffeur for me” he said. “You can eight innings with three centuries – 161 After lunch the Barbados Legends took on the England finish up being a teetotaller, like me,” I at Old Trafford, 163* at Lord’s and 174 at Masters in a sparkling T20 match but inside the restaurant said. He roared with laughter and turned to Headingley at an average of 103.2. He took the guests were queuing to take pictures of Gary and ask for his partner Jackie White and said “every time I 20 wickets at 27.05 and bowled 269.4 overs his autograph. He obliged every time, with a broad smile. saw him he was rolling around!” often bowling 25 overs a day with his fast-medium He has a steady hand and signed immaculately, not like the , and his varied slow bowling. He was also squiggle of today’s sporting stars. Suddenly a young man I first met Gary on the West Indies tour to England in 1963 the leading fielder with ten catches close to the wicket. As dumped six books in front of him and said “Sign these!” It when he was 26 and in his prime. He had a gap-tooth smile a gambler on and off the field, he had the luck to win all was the only time Gary showed irritation. “Who are you? and a rare willingness to help not just his own players but five tosses. Two England captains, Mike Smith and Colin That’s not the way to speak!” The man stumbled over an the opposition ones. He hasn’t changed. Two days after his Cowdrey, were sacked as their team was routed and a third, apology. “Can you sign them please?” Gary signed. birthday it was the fiftieth anniversary of when England Brian Close, took over to win at the Oval beating a tired won the football World Cup. West Indies played a match Sobers, not surprisingly because he contributed so much of Having known him since 1963 he is a stickler for seeing against Glamorgan in that weekend but Sobers his side’s productivity. good manners. He was one of the few batsmen who didn’t play: he was watching the final. He is a keen follower ‘walked’ when he knew he had nicked it. “If they stay at the of English Premier League matches. In his teens he was a Sobers was one of six children and was born in a wooden crease, they’re cheating,” he said. He spoke disparagingly good footballer and also played tennis, table tennis and golf. house built on stones, before it was concreted years later. about some West Indian players like and Tino His father Shamont was a seaman working in the Canadian Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, a Hon. Life Member of the Best who have recently set a poor example with their sexist He was reluctant to join the tour in 1966 because the West merchant navy and died when his ship, “The Lady Forty Club and our president John Barclay’s cricket hero, comments. His views on T20 are sound. “Cricket needs Indies Cricket Board only offered him and £800 Hawkins”, was torpedoed by a German U-boat on January celebrated his 80th birthday on July 28 and it was a good the money from these short form matches but it’s not real each for a 24 match tour across four months – which 11, 1942. His wonderful mother Thelma, who died aged 93 time to re-evaluate his incredible contribution to the game. cricket, it’s entertainment.” The worked out as £7 a day. Bradman advised them to go and in 2001, was left to bring up the family with a small pension Not only did he tower over most batsmen in his twenty was about to start. He was more concerned about producing from the shipping company. Sport was their salvation. His years as a Test player, he was better than most of the fast- Test players, not more biff-and-bashers, and bowlers who brothers and their friends fashioned their own balls and medium swing bowlers of his time, a quality slow left arm can’t pitch the ball on the right spot consistently. bats and spent most of their time playing on Bay Pasture, bowler in three different styles – orthodox, Chinamen and a small piece of spare land, on a nearby road or, preferably, – and excelled as a close catcher. There are plenty of men named Sobers in Barbados, a speck on the sandy beaches. He was born with six fingers on each of land in the Caribbean of 167 square miles which has hand. At Wormsley he explained “the first one came off Was he the greatest cricketer of all time? Yes he was, in produced more great cricketers than any similarly sized part when I was nine with the help of cat gut wound round it, my view, better than all the champion all-rounders like of the world. The three Ws, Sir , Sir Frank like removing a tooth. The second one came later in my Imran Khan, , , , Wilfred Worrell and Sir , all born within two square teens, by a doctor with a knife.” Rhodes, Walter Hammond, and W.G. Grace. miles of each other, were mentors for the young Sobers. And even better than the revered Sir Don. The name Sobers is believed to originate from Saxony Captain Wilfred Farmer, one of the island’s many talented in Germany and it may well have been derived from cricketers, gave him a short-cut to fame by signing him up On June 26 I spent much of the day at the Lord’s Taverners’ drinking habits in that part of the country. However, while for the Barbados Police Band. They gave him a bugle but he lunch celebrating the 50th anniversary of the independence there may have been a few Sobers who were sober, Gary failed to master it. His call-up enabled him to play first-class of Barbados and his birthday at that stunningly beautiful enjoyed drinking, mainly spirits, and loved liming – being Cricket in the Police team and at the age of 17 and 245 days ground at Wormsley, with Sir Garfield, Sir Wes Hall, Charlie with friends while listening to loud music – but he never he made his debut for the West Indies. Griffith, Joel Garner, , , exceeded the limit. Steve Camacho, the late West Indies and and other West Indian greats. They all agreed Trinidad opening batsman once said “he always had a drink Brian Scovell wrote Gary’s autobiography “Twenty Years at the that Gary, not , was the ‘The Greatest’. in his hand but I never saw him drunk.” Top” in 1988 and his 27th book “The Conquests of 1966 of Alf and Gary” is published by Fonthillmedia at £16.99. This article is an “Definitely,” said Wes. “No argument. Bradman hardly Sobers rarely slept more than four or five hours a night extract from it. Half of the book is devoted to the momentous Test bowled and took only two wickets in Tests and he hit only and in the Test at Lord’s in 1973 he was not out on the series between England and the West Indies in 1966.

20 21 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk 2016

HEARTS BEATING FAST A CLOSE RUN THING school’s batting lineup. But in the two weeks before Brexit won an upset victory on July 23, he was too busy – allegedly – planting a knife into the back of SKINNERS SCHOOL Boris Johnson. BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL The England team were still having problems with Another Conservative MP in the area, the Hon Jeremy finding a settled opening pair when Kent and West Hunt of SW Surrey who managed to retain his job as At the ground at Barnard Castle School in Durham on Sussex XL took on a Skinners’ School Development Minister of Health, is another cricket fan and he could April 20 last year Rob Sharp’s side had struggled to 30-3 side at the ground of Staplehurst on May 4. But XL’s have helped as well. on a slow pitch when a tall, bearded South African named openers, Jon Thornton, with 47, and Glynn Gunning, Michael Loubser (right, with our editor and Rob Sharp) 57, put on 117 and showed England how to do it. The Phil Humphries, the cricket master of Witley School came in. Suddenly hearts started to beat quicker as the school had several promising bowlers who tested who has joined XL as a playing member, might left-hander struck a six off the first ball he received. The them and on an easy-paced pitch it was excellent have donned his gear after the school, one short, next one dropped a few feet short of another. cricket to watch. Glynn was well caught by Olly was skittled out for 72-9 in 18 overs after a strong, Hussey and Jon was by Kokkliligadda. John experienced XL side compiled 204-5 on a slow pitch. He faced just 11 balls, hit two 6s and four 4s off eight Our Editor, Michael Loubser and Rob Sharp Olufawo, who scored a century at Sutton Valence The contest ended at 5.30 at this beautiful, secluded, hits and was caught on the deep long on boundary by out of a total of 160 two weeks earlier, was caught by tree-lined ground. The school’s skipper Max Bachelor A. Pearson, out for 31. The school coach had earlier put XL’s batsmen didn’t wear any – had to compete for their Kokkliligadda for 7. delivered a confident speech in reply to a rousing one on a catching stint on that side of the ground with the runs against accurate bowling. Loubser was listed as an from Neil Fletcher, XL’s captain. Neil said sun shining into the eyes of the fielders. Good planning: off-break bowler but he mainly bowled mainly cutters With public schools now attracting more and “you didn’t have a good day but next England might learn from that! for his match-winning analysis of 14-5-27-5. XL were the more pupils from all over the world scorers are year you could do the same to us. unexpected victors by 12 runs. having trouble taking down the right spelling You have some talented players.” Instead of expecting a comfortable victory against a of their names and Andrew Jones needs to be middle-aged team, the young, talented Barnard side Alastair Cook was in trouble with the ECB after refusing congratulated that he got this one right. The Inexperience claimed too many realised they were in for a tough battle. The 25 year-old to wear an updated helmet. He would rather stick to his innings was declared on 174-8 after 39 overs: a victims in their fitful innings. It Loubser plays for Boland in and was the old one. Geoff Barker, with 2-36 in 11 overs, said “I agree moderate total in the circumstances. was a good lesson – our experts professional at the League club Undercliffe last with Alastair about wanting to use his preferred helmet had a look at their bowling year. At that time he had played 13 first class matches and not have to use one with less vision. I never wore one The school’s opening bowler Gallaway took five before starting to hit out. Chris in South Africa and wanted the extra experience of and if made a comeback now he wouldn’t wickets in succession to earn splendid figures of 10- Evans, aged 62, showed them how English conditions to improve his chances of becoming a wear one either.” 0-50-5. He was supported by Midgley with 6-1-25-2. to do it with forceful 56, and also professional at home. Mann with his patient unbeaten 69. In Rob said: “Their very young side never gave in and we all The boys were pinned down by our persevering the field the extremely fit Chris dashed to snatch a Last winter he faced the bowling of Surrey’s England agreed there were four possible results. It was a great day medium-pace swing bowlers John Hawkins – no spectacular catch at midwicket to bring to an end to bowlers and Stuart Meaker. “Stuart was really topped off as last year by a warm welcome from the staff problem about taking down that one! – and Ian Max’s innings of 38. quick,” he said. “Hardly saw his first ball before I edged it and boys, including a great curry with beer afterwards.” Robinson, but Kokkliligadda, with 40, enabled his side to the boundary.” Now 27, Meaker, from KP’s hometown to glimpse a rare victory. When Jon caught him off The school was founded in 1553 by King Edward VI Pietermaritzburg, has been timed at 94 mph. the bowling of Hawkins the pressure was back on the and moved to Wormley, south of Guildford, in 1867. youngsters and Simon Jeffers, the Director of Sport, Its motto is “A foundation for life.” During World War Meaker came to England in 2001 and attended Cranleigh NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS was rather upset about the remaining batsmen playing II the school was commandeered by the School. After a match against XL during which he careless shots. to test and develop radar. whipped out a number of shocked XL batsmen, the cricket ROB ANDREW, RORY & TONY master advised him not to bowl against them again. UNDERWOOD, MATHEW TAIT, HOWARD He said: “We hardly play any declaration games now MARSHALL, LEE DICKSON which is not good for their development. They want NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS Charles Llewellyn, a former South African Test player, former England rugby union internationals to hit out too soon instead of playing themselves in.” played for Undercliffe between 1916-18 and others who John bowled for 90 minutes unchanged for a match- SALLY BERCOW graced their walled ground including George Gunn winning analysis of 16-5-59-4 as the school collapsed to TOM DANBY wife of , the Speaker of the (Notts & England), Vic Wilson (Yorkshire & England), and 153 in 31.5 overs. Ian Robinson had creditable figures of former England rugby union and rugby league House of Commons David Bairstow (Yorkshire & England), father of Jonny. international 9-0-43-3. XL were deserved winners by 21 runs. IVOR CHAPLAIN Jeremy Rhodes, who was second highest scorer in XL’s TIM VISSER Labour MP 134-9 with 23, was instrumental in bringing Loubser to Scotland rugby international this part of the world when he went on the XL tour to SA A CLOSE RUN THING DU’AINE LADEJO in 2015. He is a corporate lawyer and had a brief spell GEORGE MACAULAY Olympic 400m medalist working for the . former Yorkshire and England cricketer KING EDWARD’S, WITLEY SUNG-HAK MUN Another guest, 19 year old Ryan O’Sullivan, a university EDWARD MELLANBY racing driver student who wants to be a sports writer, opened the Michael Gove is the local MP for Surrey Heath and if

discoverer of Vitamin D WITLEY KING EDWARD’S bowling with Loubser and Barnard’s helmeted batsmen – BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL he had some spare time he might have stiffened the

22 23 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk One of the joys of being in the countryside is that STILL WHEELING AWAY Two years ago we featured one of the most picturesque A GRAND DAY OUT these villages still have old established shops and no pavilions in the UK – the one at Clumber Park, supermarkets. Ardingly has a bakery and all the goods Nottinghamshire. This one was the opposite – a gaunt, are baked there. The College caterers ordered four battleship-grey-coloured, corrugated metal and breeze rather large cakes – one chocolate, one ginger and two NAILSEA CC block building which someone described as “Grade II ARDINGLY COLLEGE Victoria cakes – enough to feed at least sixty people. listed, typical of the post War years.” Notwithstanding At the half-time tea most of the cake was left and one Three days after Scyld Berry marvelled at the expertise and the looks of the pavilion, The Grove Sports ground is an Young leg-spinners are popping up around the land but lady said “it was probably left out too long.” guile of the five feet four inch tall Pakistan legbreak and outstanding sports complex with two cricket grounds English cricket has yet to find another Doug Wright or a Colin bowler Yasir Shah at Lord’s last July, XL’s veteran and ample car parking. Blythe. But at Ardingly College on June 6th Bjorn Mordt’s Instead of the usual sandwiches, bread made on the leggie was in action at Nailsea CC in North Somerset, eight Kent and W.Sussex XI discovered the tallest – 14 year old day and cuts of salmon, cheese and salad were laid out. miles south west of Bristol. On their website someone submitted this message: “a James McCammon who is six feet six inches. Nick Tester, the Excellent fare fit for athletes. heaven for sports grounds And perfect on a summer’s school’s Director of Cricket, said of him: “He looks as though It was a fantastic Test restoring the confidence of cricket evening.” Nailsea, which boasted being the fourth he has a good future in the game.” In 2017 the school are planning to start a female lovers who still believe in five day cricket, the best against biggest glassworks in the country in the 19th century cricket section. Nick Tester said “we aim to wean some the best. Yasir shot to the top of the ICC Test bowling has produced only one First Class cricketer – Somerset’s It was a relief to get away from the hubbub of the referendum of the girls away from rounders.” rankings after he bowled thirty overs to bowl out England left hand batsman Mervyn Kitchen who umpired 20 Test debates and arrive at Ardingly, population 1,850, in one of COLLEGE ARDINGLY on the final day with overall match figures of 10-141. In the matches. He is 75 not out, still enjoying life. The local the most beautiful parts of Sussex. The College with its vast Old Trafford Test Yasir suddenly collapsed to the bottom of MP, Dr Liam Fox, a strong supporter of Brexit, is now a acreage and impressive red brick Victorian buildings, had McCammon has a fine action and with his height, produced the class - with a mark of 1- 261! Government Minister. NAILSEA CRICKET CLUB NAILSEA a feeling of tranquility as a hugely enjoyable 40 over match plenty of bounce. His eight overs brought him figures of 3-49. ensued. Nick explained “we prefer declaration games but a He is a boarder and plays club cricket at Ditchley. He said Anthony Scyld (pronounced Shield) Ivens Berry, the six feet lot of boys were taking exams and we can’t spare the time.” “My father wasn’t a cricketer and I got interested in taking up three cricket correspondent of had more 20s from who was playing for one of the local leg-spin and taught myself to bowl a googly.” Now he’s been modest bowling figures – 12-0-48-2 coming on first change. League sides, didn’t get a bat – he was next man in. He sent out a Development side instead of the first XI and that coached by the former Surrey slow bowler Chris Waller. His first delivery went into the trees but he had the nos. 3 seems to be XL’s future – helping younger players to mature and 4 batsmen caught and with Nailsea unable to pass XL’s He opened from the pavilion end and bowled quickly by into good cricketers and not be thrashed by fit 18-year-olds. Nigel Pestifield, a cheery man who has played for a host of 232-4, falling 75 runs short. On a hard paradise of a pitch XL standards. After a batsman edged a ball for a boundary Southern clubs, came in at no. 8 and hurried the rate with the home side finished on 158-3. Leggies were the match he lengthened his run and Bell was bowled for 4. The two sixes in his unbeaten 40. Bjorn was heading for another winners of both games, Lord’s and The Grove at Nailsea. batsman wasn’t happy when he came in, slamming the century when he drove to Hash Khan and was out for 89. XL picket gate and said “the Australian pro, not my cup of finished at 234-6. During the next Test at Old Trafford, 62 year old Scyld tea! It’s ten years since I last played someone of that pace.” announced that this was his 424th Test which he has Later, he calmed down to give our editor a lift to the station. The school’s top order batsmen had to struggle against quality reported on in his long and distinguished career, ahead Holmes was taken off after pinning down the top bowling from Will Moore, 6-2-40-1, and Neil Fletcher, 8-0-54-4; of second placed Pakistan journalist Qamar Ahmed, who order with figures of 7-4-11-1 and four bowlers were though Will was more menacing Neil took the honours. claims that he was the only first-class bowler in Pakistan to given a go. Hopkinson, the other opener, was 87* dismiss all five Mohammad brothers. when the 40 overs was completed. Neil bowled three batsmen – two in successive balls but failed to go on to a hat trick – and had to be taken off to give the Last year Scyld contacted septicemia – blood poisoning – At the end of the season Scyld wrote an article others a chance. in Naples and was saved by a new medication. Like most for the Sunday Telegraph headed “After the county people in such a perilous situation, he makes the best of season ended in thrilling style, our correspondent A contrived “toss” meant XL batting first on a flat pitch with At 87-8 an early finish was imminent. Dominic Morgan, no. 7 every day. He joined the Forty Club in 1996 and is still hands out his brickbats and bouquets.” It concluded an outfield looking as pristine as any of Wimbledon’s best in the order, made sure there wasn’t one with a hard-running wheeling away with his high-flown tweakers. He told us “Worst cricket of the season: See me. (Well, I did have tennis courts. (A new groundsman was behind that!) Hilarity 50* and James McCammon, crouching over his bat, played he was having a reasonably successful season both with XL septicaemia in March and April.)” soon followed. Dominic Morgan, a 14-year-old who plays some elegant off drives for his 20. In these matches no-one and his club Hinton Charterhouse. Good luck to him. for the Sussex U15 team, forced Bjorn to edge the ball low minds bringing in a first team player whose exam work was to first slip who dropped it. The “offender” turned out to be over for the day and Ash Krishain raced to 53*. The last two There was an amusing start to the game. Proctor, the Richard Stafford, the Director of Music who was temporarily wickets put on 110. The youngsters came in at 197-9 in their grey-haired opening bowler trotted back towards the standing in for one of the boys. Two overs later Richard 40 overs with XL winning by 37 runs. sightscreen. Everyone thought it was a clever move to spilled a hard shot at short extra, again off Bjorn. He said make sure the 40 overs were bowled in the requisite time. “The boys didn’t say anything.” They were too polite. Not too Roly Walton gave the signed bat for Man of the Match But he kept jogging over the boundary and finally stopped long after, another exam student came out to take his place. to Dominic Morgan and heaped praise on him and his at the electronic scoreboard, pointing to the “173” on the The diminutive Morgan failed to take a wicket but when he colleagues. “You played it in the best spirit of the game, well scoreboard. Colin and Heather Voutt, the scorers, finally becomes taller he too could turn into a fine cricketer. done!” found the right buttons and rubbed it off and the game finally began, with the bowler now off 10 yards not 70. Dave Allaway of Henley CC sent some crashing fours One who had exams was Sam Rattle, the first team captain Left-handed Andy Ashfold was on his way to yet another through the offside and on 20, succumbed to a full toss. Bjorn who wants to become a professional cricketer. His uncle, century when Winston Duguid inadvertently sent him reached his fifty as successive batsmen went into double Richard Nowell, a former Surrey CCC spinner, has helped back and he was run out for 75. Nailsea used seven bowlers figures before departing. Richard Mansfield arrived late – him with advice. Roly came up to Sam with an application and all six XL batsmen finished in double figures with traffic hold-ups! – came in at no. 7 and was bowled first ball form to join XL in his hand and said “Here, you ought to join Hodge (32), Duguid (38*) and Edwards (35) showing the by McCammon’s googly. us as an associate!” Sam said “Yes, I certainly will.” way. Peter Searle’s associate member Louis Holmes, in his

24 25 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Chingford’s star cricketers.... THE PERSECUTED THE GROUNDSMAN WHO THE TAMILS STILL Doug Insole CBE, the former England and Essex LIVES ON THE JOB The Tamils originate from northern India and there are captain, played for Chingford before becoming an KEEP SMILING 77m around the world and 500,000 are reckoned to be international cricketer. He played nine Tests between living in Britain. They are one of the most persecuted ’50 and ‘57, played for Corinthians Casuals in the 1956 people in the world. When Britain handed over power FA Amateur Cup at Wembley, was a chairman of the There aren’t many groundsmen who live in a cricket CHINGFORD CC to the then-Ceylon’s rulers in 1948 its government Test selectors and is still serving the FA and ECB with club pavilion with their family. But Mark Lawrence turned down the appeal of the Tamils, mainly living his expertise at the age of 90. has been doing it for some years. One of his children in the North, to be independent. The Tamils were is , the England Under 19 captain who An Eastern Counties side played its first match against a team declared stateless and 700,000 of them fled to India. Packed away in a cardboard box there are a number is a regular in the Essex team. of Tamils at Chingford CC’s spacious ground on August 31 In 1983 a civil war followed and it lasted for 26 years. of pictures yet to be put up on the club’s walls and and it was a remarkable, joyous and, briefly, a sombre day. Up to 100,000 were killed and a new administration one is of the England squad skippered by Insole. Mark scored 5307 runs for Chingford and when he Between the innings Michael Arnold, brother of Test player is trying to bring reconciliation. But like many Two other Essex players were pictured: retired, he took over as groundsman. His pitches are Russel, called for a minute’s silence for the five Tamils who countries, there is still corruption and inequality. and Brian “Tonker” Taylor. In another picture, which among the best in the Essex Premier League and he drowned at Camber Sands eight days earlier on the hottest is displayed, our Patron, the Duke of Edinburgh, is often starts work at 7.30am and after matches he is out day of the year. They were cricketers who graduated from the In March Michael Arnold, an XL member who shaking hands with Rob Lynch, the late chairman of in the middle watering the pitch. British Tamils Legends CC. had just passed his Level 1 umpiring examination, Chingford. and three of his friends went on a 250 mile cycle “They grew up with us from the Under 11 group,” he said. from to Jaffna in the North and raised The popular was the other Chingford “It was such a terrible tragedy. It was said that they weren’t £12,000 to aid a 170 year hospital in his home and Essex player who graduated to international swimmers but that wasn’t right. I think they were caught town which was ravaged in the 30 year civil war fame. He was a prolific wicket-taker with his leg- up by a riptide and quicksands. They’d gone for a day out and later, the tsunami. Any more contributions spin and was unlucky not to have played more than on the coast.” Their names were Nitharsan Ravi, aged 22, would be gratefully received by the Manipay seven Tests between ’67 and ‘71. He also played for Kurushanth Srithavarajah, 27, brothers Ken Nathan, 19, and Charity. They need sponsors as well – please email Glamorgan and Sussex. Kobi Nathan and Inthusahan Srishkantharasa, 23. Thirteen Gerald Simon at longoff@gmail. com or me at months before another one of their squad died in dreadful [email protected] Dan Lawrence (below) and are current circumstances. Bavalan Pathmanathan, a 24 year old student, Essex players who graduated from the club. Porter died after being hit in the chest at a recreation ground in worked as a recruitment manager before becoming a Windmill Lane in Long Ditton. professional. In 2014 he helped Chingford to win the Essex Premier League with his medium- Throughout the match there was plenty of noise on and off and he has had a successful year with the county. the field with a dozen or so Tamil supporters and around the Last season Chingford managed to avoid relegation same number of under 10s cheering, applauding, coming up without the services of Lawrence and Porter. with amusing comments and enjoying themselves. The young The pavilion was destroyed in 1966 and the rebuilt boys were knocking balls around in and around the quaint, Is Chingford the hardest ground to find? one caters for a large number of functions and next one-storey pavilion as some of us had done in a previous to the changing rooms and showers is the home of generation. There was plenty of traffic in the air with planes Definitely! No ground in the South beats it. The road the Lawrence family. At the rear is an indoor school flying over and when Tony McDonald-Barker began bowling nearby is Kimberley Avenue but there is no mention where the young Dan spent hundreds of hours being his high-flying Chinamen there were cries of “Stop the flights. of the ground and it is easy to speed past a narrow coached by his father. A plane might crash!” unmarked road which leads to an even narrower unmade, dusty road. Turning to the right the cricket Dan made headlines in 2014 when in his second On a boiling hot day on a burnt, fast outfield and on a ground can be seen but the game for Essex he scored 161 against Surrey at the splendid pitch, the Tamils made a slow start and wasted runs board with the club’s name Oval making him the third youngest to have scored a by hitting straight at our fielders. Two experienced players is hidden by the branches of century in . He said “I was hopeless at who played top class cricket in their homeland, retired after a prolifically growing willow football and took up cricket because I had the chance reaching fifty. Another one was out in unusual circumstances. tree. to spend a lot of time in our indoor school and it all He played the ball into the ground with a defensive bat and lookalike who was one of two 35 year olds who has recently started from there. I got picked for Essex and so far, it rolled towards the stumps. He appeared as though he’d joined XL, hit a powerful 58 before he had to retire and with The reason for the anonymity it’s gone all right.” Early in his career he had no car caught the sun because he watched, transfixed, and let the 20 overs remaining with four wickets down, the Club still had is that Epping Forest Estate and travelled by public transport. bails tumble to the ground. He had plenty of time to knock a chance of victory, needing 113. When Vaheegan, 26, miscued ban all notices at that area. the ball clear. and gave a running catch at extra cover, that lingering hope A former club chairman, a He was one of the chief successes at the ICC U19 disappeared as the light faded. millionaire, paid a vast amount World Cup in Bangladesh last year. “We were going Harry Vaheeagan, a Tamil who is a member of XL and a fine of money on attractive white well until we suddenly blew up in the quarter final,” acquisition, dropped a stunning return off his bowling – like Ten balls were left and our Chinaman bowler blocked the first palings around two thirds of he said. The West Indies were the tournaments an rocket – and made it up later when he one and was bowled by the second. XL lost by 46 runs and the ground. Though the club’s eventual winners. held on to an equally explosive shot at extra cover. it had been an entertaining contest. He said “I recently won signage is bottom of the league a match with a straight hit four and this is my 73rd match of it is certainly number one for It was a rare declaration game for the Tamils and they set XL the season and was hoping to reach 100 runs. I’ve taken 84 palings. a target of 219, scored in 45 overs. David Rai, a wickets in those matches.”

26 27 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk ARUNDEL AIR SHOW - RUN FEAST AT MARGATE’S A SHORT HISTORY OF BJORN MORDT CUTS A ARUNDEL CASTLE’S TIVOLI MEADOW SWATHE THROUGH MCC CRICKET GROUND MARGATE CC In 1895 the 15th Duke of Norfolk decided to carve out MCC an amphitheatre of a proper cricket ground, three and Margate has made a revival recently with its Turner a half acres in size, above the Castle which was built Art Centre which draws thousands of visitors every A strong Forty Club XI needed just 25 more runs with in 1067 by the Normans. Our Patron, the Duke of year and its cricket club has been revived as well. 10 overs in hand to beat a stunned MCC at Arundel Edinburgh, played there in a charity match in 1953 More youngsters are joining and last season its on August 9th, when a flotilla of a helicopter and four and three years later the Australian touring side, with Midweek Xl had a 75% win rate. stunt acrobatic Breitling sponsored planes started Benaud, Miller and Lindwall in their side, attracted an circling around Britain’s most beautiful ground. audience of 13,000. Ron Hart’s side made a valiant effort to halt their progress on the 80th birthday of Sir Garfield Sobers, “They look like Messerschmitts,” said Roger Jarvis, one Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, the 16th acknowledged as one of the greatest of all cricketers, of our members who is the accountant of Stonegate Duke of Norfolk, continued the festival matches. He on July 28th in their cricket week. As we approached Homes, the property company which sponsored the successive balls. Our photographer, Surrey and W. sometimes played although he wasn’t a very good the Tivoli Meadow ground there, on the left, was glitzy event. Soon several Spitfires arrived as well. Sussex chairman Richard Bennett, was positioned in player. The fielding side had to give him a run to begin “Garfield Road.” the right place ready to take the hat trick picture but the his innings and one of his staff umpired occasionally This went on for 15 minutes before Gavin Scovell, left-handed Salisbury blocked the delivery. in the lesser matches. Ian Wooldridge, the renowned Sixes predominated in a high-scoring friendly, seven in the order, edged the ball on to his thigh Daily Mail sports writer, said “When there was an especially on the town side of the ground where ten pad, and it went to short fine leg, providing the One of our players said “I’m not sure why the collapse appeal the man used to announce ‘Your Grace is in.’” were hit into the cornfield and the tree-protected car winning run. Victory was achieved by four wickets. happened. The ball wasn’t moving about but they park. Each time the ball was recovered. The planes roared over with their engines trailing were drinking wine from jugs at lunch and that might In 1962 the Duke agreed to become the manager of smoke, like the Red Arrows, for the last time. The be the reason.” the 62/63 England tour to Australia and he proved The small crowd was boosted by a first – a German Rio Olympics had begun. Were they honouring our to be extremely popular Down Under. Most of his family watching the play in Thanet. They were staying gold medal winners, including skipper Bjorn Mordt Only opener Dan Gorringe, a trainee lawyer interviews were dominated by his love of horse racing on the harbour and stopped to see this odd sporting the Man of the Match for his monumental 5-53 in 20 from Eastbourne who plays for Ditchling, looked and the Australians loved it. He organized the funeral event. The wife and husband and two daughters from overs and his colleagues? Next day we learned they comfortable against the testing line and length of King George VI in 1952, the Coronation of Queen Bremen stayed for half an hour and said: “It’s a new were practising for the Red Bull air races at Ascot bowling of Bjorn and Will Moore. Richard Mansfield, Elizabeth II a year later and the funeral of Winston experience for us. What are they doing?” Racecourse five days later. whose sports company provided the BAS ball, caught Churchill in 1965. He died in 1975 and his wife Salisbury for 15 off a skier. With seven runs short of a Lavinia took over the annual festival arrangements. XL’s second wicket of the left-handed XL’s captain Jerry Hinds, a director of Stoneham who hundred Gorringe lost concentration and was bowled Anne, one of his daughters, married Sir Colin David Williams and the W.G. Grace-bearded Stuart has been one of the club’s leading six hitters, didn’t on 214-9. Last man Tim Van Noort, a South African who Cowdrey after his divorce. Faulkner were hitting the ball ferociously in a stand need to contribute with bat or ball. Last year XL was runs a cricket academy in Bognor, declared on that total of 154 on a near-perfect pitch. “We never see this in the easy winners and now he is aiming to make it a hat after 52.2 overs. In 1986 an Arundel Cricket Foundation was set up Germany,” said the wife. “What do you think about trick in 2017. His company operates in Cobham, Surrey so cricket would continue and the late Sir Paul Getty Angela Merkel?” asked a spectator. She laughed. “My which boasts some of the most expensive mansions in Nigel Pestifield played down the wrong line in XL’s donated a considerable sum to finance it. John Barclay, husband thinks she ought not to get the Nobel Prize, the land, many of them owned by Chelsea billionaire reply and had his off stump knocked by Bristow- the former Sussex captain, was appointed Director. but the No Prize! She’s let in too many migrants. I footballers. He reports that many of the houses are now Diamond for 6 and Henley’s Dave Allaway, 52, and Thousands of disabled and deprived youngsters have loved coming to the South of England but the three for sale because of the slump. Nigel Angus, 42, put on 90 for the second wicket been introduced to the game over the years there. days we had in weren’t enjoyable – too many without a single ugly shot.And with Steve Naylor, 51, people. At the end we gave up.” Gavin’s short highlights film of the match was put on and Robbie Arthur, 33, keeping up the pressure the Arundel has a population of 3,600 and John Barclay YouTube and former England opener outcome was soon settled, with five overs remaining. said after the XL game: “We are proud of our hat trick Williams, who had a half knee replacement recently, (pictured with Bjorn Mordt), who is training to be a TV – it is the most beautiful ground in the world with first scored 69 and Faulkner, having trouble with a muscle presenter, did the interviewing. Richard, Nick’s father, Only one spin bowler was used in the match – MCC’s class facilities, an school and a castle, in the leg, was unbeaten on 103 when Ron declared at a retired journalist from , son of the legendary off-spinner. The other nine bowlers were medium one of the outstanding castles in the land.” 231-2 after 33 overs. Wind and rain held up Margate’s Denis of Brylcreem fame, was present and said “Wow, or fast medium. In Henry Grierson’s time spinners innings but the four batsmen involved made up time I’ve never seen such a beautiful ground!” predominated. Good umpires are like good referees – The view from the pavilion towards the east is by smacking up 232-2 in three balls less. Neil Canham, they don’t hog the limelight – and these two, Norman stunning, with the South Downs spread out around an XL member was 134 not out. With eight bowlers available – Pakistan skipper Misbah Jones, one of our long-standing members, and the the winding Arun river. The ground is surrounded by made the mistake of only using four in the third Test former first-class umpire and referee Martin Bodenham, old, high trees and the gap on that side led to a story Margate’s sloping ground is leased from the former at Edgbaston a few days earlier – Bjorn opted to field did an immaculate job. that trees were swept away in the October storm in owners of a dairy at the top of the hill for around £1,000 knowing that he had ten batsmen who had scored 1987. “It’s a lovely story but it’s not true,” said John a year. One of the home players explained that by hundreds. The pitch was a batting paradise and at 129-1 Roly Walton gave an XL application form to Gorringe Barclay. “It was there already. But it did cut a swathe parking on private land drivers risked having to pay after 32 overs, an excellent buffet lunch was served. and the lawyer read it and said “I’ll sign it. I played for through a different part on the left.” up if vehicles were damaged by flying balls whereas On resumption MCC lost five wickets for 18 runs and Bede’s School against the Forty Club and I like the way being parked on the road they would be covered.

Bjorn dismissed Symonds and Bristow-Diamond in they go about it.”

28 29 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk WE ALL MISSED It would have been better if XL batted first but the Even a rare lbw from umpire Barry Aitken – Will Brookes was no excessive talk on the field and they encouraged each Mavericks – ten of them, average age around 20, all out for 13 – failed to hold back the tide. Big sixes whizzed other. Not a sign of any . They played it in the right RUSSEL’S EXPERTISE descended from cricketing countries abroad except for 18 over long on, reminiscent of Lesbourne’s feats twelve way. The key word was enjoyment.” year old skipper Will Brookes – went in to bat on a green, months earlier. It was a 40 over game and perhaps a wet pitch. Russel spent most of his time fielding at mid-on declaration one might have been preferable especially as Most of the Mavericks posed for pictures with Russel CHANCE TO SHINE MAVERICKS XI with his hands in his pockets. After 45 minutes Jon brought the Mavericks closed on 214-9. The slow outfield kept the before he left and were possibly disappointed not to see him on to bowl with his slow left-arm bowling. He bowled total down to a less threatening score. him bat. Jon’s players were even more disappointed. There The match on June 2 last year was between a Chance to with a good loop, conceded 9 runs in two overs and lots of jokes flying around. Jon said “I’ve locked our men in Shine Mavericks XI and a Surrey and West Sussex XL side announced he had to attend another engagement. He was The XL players on the left were all smiling whereas the dressing for a stern talking to.” in Jon Thornton’s praiseworthy initiative to take XL cricket replaced by Richard Mansfield who arrived late. Later in the Mavericks weren’t. After tea the elderly team had to state schools. The previous year the game turned out to the evening he watched England’s dreary 1-0 victory over their smiles whipped away. Luke Swanson, the CEO of Will Brookes made a fine speech at the presentations, and be a disaster with Lesbourne Edwards scoring 100 in 27 Portugal at Wembley Stadium, well wrapped up. Chance to Shine, arrived with his aides, Fabian Devlin, there were good ones from Tim, Richard and Roly. Will balls after XL was bowled out for 116. The State Schools XI Simon Roissetter and Alex Cullen and our chairman Tim plays for Highgate and has just returned from coaching won the match in 5.3 overs. Very embarrassing! XL’s quickish bowlers Will Moore, Matt Cannon and Neil Woodcock, Roly Walton and Richard Bennett. They started skiing in Alberta, Canada. He’s also a Level One cricket Fletcher performed creditably until the runs began to flow cementing good relations, confirming that we needed to coach and said “Not sure I want to go to university yet.” Now divisional chairman Richard Bennett enlisted another and Nomula (46) and Puri (63) transformed the innings. keep this fixture on our list and possibly extend it. Luke XL member, Gavin Scovell, to sign up to try Fielders were sent off to far places to try to stem it, largely said more than 2.5m youngsters from 11,000 state schools and prevent a repeat. Russel, who played in 44 Tests with unsuccessfully. Will, with figures of 8-1-44-3, was the pick with 69% from ethnic minority backgrounds had been a batting average of 28.01 and 180 ODIs, averaging 35.26, and Matt, 8-0-37-2, was not far behind. Gavin, 6-0-41-1, involved with the Chance to Shine scheme since 2005 MARK NICHOLAS WAS THE is aged 42. He teaches in Sydney and commentates. In the produced one of the best deliveries, an inswinger which and added: “Where I live south of the river there are few first half of the summer he was a member of the Sky’s The surprised a batsman who had raised his bat expecting it to opportunities for state schools to play cricket. Our job is to MAN WHO STARTED IT Verdict show, reviewing the day’s play against England, go by but didn’t, knocking out a stump. light the spark which becomes a lifelong love of cricket.” alongside . Russel said of him: “a good man with Dulwich CC has up to 300 youngsters being coached and “I played Test matches in the garden all day and into a fine sense of humour.” The event was filmed by a Kingsdown TV cameraman there is a waiting list. the night. What I never understood was the extent of and a short piece was used on YouTube - https://www. my privilege. My father played for good club sides and Russel was asked at windswept Dulwich: “What is the .com/watch?v=d2hvUZG7SOg&feature=youtu.be When the XL openers Richard Mansfield and Gavin I spent hours on leafy cricket grounds with bat and ball. lowest temperature you get in Colombo?” He was born emerged from the dressing rooms they realized the major I was sent to a private school and learned the game in there and said: “It rarely gets below 28 degrees.” “You Zac Mendelsohn held the catch of the day – low at ankle problem, one of many facing them – the light was so superb facilities. Increasingly I discovered I was lucky mean Fahrenheit?” Russel laughed as he hitched up height at midwicket – and nearly repeated the feat on the murky that only a set of floodlights would enable a start and others weren’t. another pair of trousers on top of his jeans. boundary although that effort eventually cost six runs. of a First Class match. There was just one light on the right side of the wall above the two floor dressing rooms – left I was shocked by the lack of opportunity available to on overnight to warn potential burglars – that was of no the vast majority of children growing up. I learnt that use. But the show had to go on. A nippy left-arm bowler many schools didn’t play cricket at all and the game known as Wali opened with three slips and it was hard was perceived as elite. The mining communities may to pick up the line. Edwards, from the other end, was have played as relevant a part of English cricket as the slightly slower and swung the ball a lot. Gavin, without private school but this was in spite of, not because of, the a helmet, hit an elegant square drive through point and world that wrapped its arms around them. I hated the flicked an encouraging six over square leg. Sadly it turned ‘privilege’ tag. out to be the only six of the innings. With the score at 20 Richard was caught for five and Gavin followed, caught And then, after a conversation with by the keeper for 13. “It swung a lot and I should have left and a meeting with Lord Mervyn King some years back, it,” he said. Jon Thornton, who normally scores regularly we grabbed the chance to do something about it. Over for XL, didn’t pick up another swinger and was caught at a decade on from the launch at Bethnal Green at the first slip for a duck. 20-3. beginning of the greatest of all cricketing summers in 2005, 2.5m children who might never have come across Three more runs were eked out before Will Moore was the game have been able to experience its joy. People in caught by the enthusiastic keeper, for one. 20-4. Jim Aulty high places gave us no chance but the power of cricket (2), followed at 30-5 and Zac Mendlesohn, 0, followed at the overcame them and rewarded its new audience. Chance same score. After an hour of calamities the light suddenly to Shine, like the game itself, is here to stay.” improved. Too late however and the tail fell apart. The second change bowler Mohammad finished it off with Scyld Berry, a longtime member of the Forty Club, figures of 3.2-1-8-4. There were six ducks and eight batsmen wrote in the Daily Telegraph that a third of the 670 mustered only seven runs. XL was all out for 49 in 21.2 England Test players, 220, came from fee paying schools. overs. Jim Gant of South Banks CC survived 14 overs for Another 260 came from being introduced to cricket by a the top score of 15. XL were slaughtered by 165 runs. father or relative who played first-class cricket and 190 came from three fertile counties: Yorkshire, Lancashire The only saving grace was the way the youngsters reacted. and Nottinghamshire. They smiled and shook hands politely and one of our players CHANCE TO SHINE SHINE CHANCE TO said “it was a delight to see them enjoying themselves. There

30 31 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk XL CLUB – WILL YOU HELP? Have you thought of helping The Forty Club by leaving a legacy to the Club in your Will ? The Forty Club wants to continue to help develop, support and sustain cricket in UK especially amongst UK state schools, and overseas in countries where resources are limited but enthusiasm is huge. We have limited resources so please assist if you can. What better way is there than to assist young aspiring cricketers to play the game properly? Your legacy would be so welcome and assist so many.

Peter England’s winning XI – (back row) Nigel Angus, John Courtney, Dave Humphreys, Jon Thornton, Nick Heater, Phil Deakins; (front row) John Hartley, Stuart Faulkner, Any bequests should be addressed to the Secretary of the Forty Club Ian Robinson (captain), Neil Canham, Simon Gerring. Below left: John Courtney attempts a caught and bowled; below right: Stuart Faulkner keeping wicket.

c/o The New House, High Street, Porton, Salisbury SP4 0LH. in 2017 and the two squares with grass pitches, supported by Ongar loam ought to be ready in 2018. A weak Forty Club XI managed just 86-9 and Dansk won easily by seven wickets. In the last contest the run tap was The tournament started with a T20 on the top pitch – the turned on again with SCS’s Manish Moorjani compiling match between Still Going Strong and Dansk XL having 90 of SGS’s 163-5 with XL winning by nine wickets. been postponed on the lower pitch – and Spain scored 171- Stuart Faulkner 77* and Simon Gerring 54* brought an 4 (Graham Cooper 55*) and XL mustered 121-8. Spain won early end as the bottled beers were brought out from the QUADRANGULAR earlier. It lies between the Mediterranean and Mar Menor. by 50 runs and the game was notable for Xl for having three refreshment tent. The temperature rarely drops from 19C. The La Manga first ballers, Ron Hart, Clive Huggins and Robbie Barker TOURNAMENT 2016 – sporting complex opened in 1972 and has three golf whose combined ages came to 229. courses, 28 tennis courts and the Norwegian FA financed FLOODS STOP PLAY IN the building of the mini stadium which their players use off The weather was intermittent, occasional bursts of sunshine season. The Wembley size pitch is top class. and black clouds sweeping from the Mediterranean. The SPAIN artificial pitches played reasonably well, too well for the In the summer of 2016 a £43m redevelopment started, comfort of the bowlers. Nigel Angus was first to exhibit partly financed by the ICC and the ECB, which will exemplary sportsmanship in the first 45 overs on the next Those who remember seeing “Free George Davis OK” include grass pitches and 14 grass nets, a new pavilion and day by walking on 95 and Robbie Barker described his on walls all over the country in the late 1970s must have additional car parking. The Irish and Scots cricket boards innings as “full of class, one of the best innings I’ve seen.” jogged their memories when the Forty Club Quadrangular will use the facilities along English counties and other ICC SGS made 209-9 and went down by four wickets to XL’s Tournament started at La Manga on Sunday, October 16. A member countries. The artificial surfaces should be ready 211-6. Our slow left armer Phil Deakins displayed similar T20 match between the SGS Dutch team against a Dansk XI class in his spell of 9-2-20-1. on the lower pitch had to be cancelled because the square had been tampered with. Overnight the sprinklers had On Tuesday the programme reverted to T20, mainly to flooded around the artificial pitch and there was a 30 metre give as many matches as possible for those out of the first strip at the east side of the ground which had turned into team squads. Runs flowed. Spain’s Stuart Simpkins – an Oz mud. In the next 24 hours ground staff put down dirt on ex-pat one learned – hit up an unbeaten 146 in their 211-2 at The teams had to make a 300m trek to Si Restaurant the bare patches and used hot blowers to try and dry the ten an over and Dansk, 120-3, went down quietly with only outside the high fenced sports complex for lunch, area. It didn’t work. An administrative error was blamed Mark Scotland making a score, 52. Spain’s David Williams passing by the intimate little football stadium which is and the game and was played later in the week. – well he qualifies because he lives half the year in Southern used every winter by the Norwegian FA. One noticed Spain – defied his swollen knee to reach a gallant 102 in that the press box was situated on the far penalty area, La Manga means The Strip, a long narrow piece of land his team’s 205-3 off 60 deliveries. Doednath Awadpersad restricting vision of happenings in the other penalty area. 21 kilometres by 300 metres, no relation to the one in retired on 102 in SGS’s 139-4 and the Dutch lost by 60 runs. The Norway international team visit there regularly. In Las Vegas where the Donald Trump v Hillary Clinton He should have come back out there and carried on under the restaurant huge TV screens showed England being in catchweight bare knuckle contest was held a few days an assumed name. trouble in Chittagong.

32 33 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Controversy arose in the SGS v Spain 45 over match on the XL’s most travelled cricketer (100 plus tours) starred for XL STAY CONSISTENT – Hoyte’s innings by taking two wickets in his first over Wednesday. SGS’s Bryan Rayman was run out for 47 at Ron’s side, executing a perfect reverse sweep for four at the with his nippy swingers. At 37-5 Hoyte’s were there for the 155-2 – shafted by his partner Karan – and three runs later age of 79. NINE STRAIGHT DEFEATS taking but Akeem Ifield, a 25 year old, took charge against Karan, who comes from Surinam and needs twelve more quality bowling. Only one more wicket fell and his 53* centuries to reach mark, was given out A group of ladies and two men went on a tour to the IN BARBADOS was decisive. He and his cousin Andrew have since joined by Graham Parker, the former West Roman built seaport of Cartagena. The highlight was Burgess Hill CC in the Sussex League. Ham footballer, for 64. Karan protested saying seeing a Spanish frigate departing to join a NATO that his foot was over the line. Barry Aitken armada to welcome the imminent Russian flotilla Dick Emery, the five times married English comedian, had Fortunately most of the opposition were very hospitable was unmoved. The batsman stayed at the on their way to Syria. his favourite catch-line as “Ooh, you’re awful... but I like but it became a bit wearing when we were told to arrive at crease, arguing. “I swear on every bible you.” That could apply to XL’s first tour of Barbados in a certain time and expected to start only to wait for a long that I am right,” he said. Barry advised him Despite late nights and aching muscles, February. In 12 days we had 11 fixtures, nine defeats, one time before the toss was held. Our stoical players also had to go quietly. It was several minutes before another 45 over game, between Dansk XL and rained off and one cancelled. We had just 16 players – only to suffer travelling in small coaches without luggage space. the aggrieved Karan trudged off. Spain, was held and the run rate soared to just one under 50 – several with long-term injuries and with big The bulky cricket bags were piled up on seats. under ten an over – 520 runs including 53 extras. hearts and their love of the game they kept going over the Later he told our Editor “I know I was right but Dropping catches was as common as having joints top… to numbing defeat. One organiser told us that Charlie Griffith, the fearsome I went up to Barry later and apologised. It didn’t strapped up and one team, not these two, spilled ten fast bowler who was forced out of the game after 28 Tests look good. I was a coach in Surinam and you have to set catches in their match, giving a second innings to their After a leg stretch in the nets at the when England players said he was a chucker, was turning an example to younger people.” George Wambeek cleaned opponents. It was the eventual tournament winners. Kevin Academy XL went into battle the day after and ran into up at the attractive North Star CC ground. After a pleasant up the tail with figures of 8-0-34-3 and SGS finished with Laundon retired on 101 in Spain’s 257-3 and Ian Moore a minor hurricane in the form of the personable, former drive through the sugar cane fields we began changing at 242-9. Asif Mahmood, no relation of the former Pakistan went on to finish not out 111 for a surprised Dansk side, Nottinghamshire and Sussex player of the same name. The 10 am but an hour later the locals could only muster four Test player, top scored with 42 for Spain who was restricted with 263-6, to snatch victory. Academy’s openers Sobers and Griffith – no relation to the players. Further delay – to a 12.30 pm start – gave Simon to 174-9. Dave Williams was forced to retire at 35 with famous Test stars – softened up our bowling with 54 and 61 Gerring time to recover after he tripped and ricked his his knee now in dire straits. It was another win by the Andy Meads calculated that would leave XL respectively and Franklyn had just completed a round on dodgy knee while trying to carry his overweight bag up disciplined Dutch, winners by 68 runs. as winners of the trophy but skipper Ian Robinson’s the Sandy Lane golf course across the road when he came to the first-floor dressing rooms. When the action started experienced, in-form players confirmed it on Friday, in at no. 4. he whipped out two batsmen. “Both balls moved,” he said The rain drove everyone to shelter in the two canvas tents beating Spain (196-7) by seven wickets. Ian put them in triumphantly. Phil Deakin, our seasoned Littleborough first as curry, supplied by a local company, was served. Just and opener Dave Smith, based in Lanzarote, said “I feel He played himself in before hitting 18 sixes, most over the teamer in the Pennine League, impressed with his 3-26 and before three nice Indian born dancers defied the rain and ropy.” He wasn’t the only one. Three short of a half century 40 foot high netting, missing the main road and landing North Star’s 196 in 30 overs wasn’t insurmountable. laid on a short display of their art. George Wambeek, who he was both caught and stumped by wicket keeper Stuart on the golf course. Miraculously, not a car was hit. The 40 doubled up as Tournament Director, organized it and also Faulkner who appealed for stumping. As he came in, Dave over stipulation was reduced to 35 overs to save us from But the malady of losing two wickets early on spread to brought out a coloured, 48 page brochure. said “I walked before the umpire gave me out and Stuart being on the receiving end of an individual sixes record. XL. David Humphries (0) thought his lbw was “far too wasn’t too happy. He wanted to claim another victim.” The ground was similar to tiny village grounds in England. high” – dismissed by a 67 year old – and his departure from Thursday was supposed to be a free day except for a frolic FS declared his swashbuckling innings of 163* in his side’s the wicket must have been the slowest in these parts. Jon between the Bad Boys XI v Ron Hart’s XI. Clive Huggins, The outstanding feature of the game – “it was proper 337-4. Our star was Jon Thornton with a well-paced innings Thornton (19) believed his lbw was “well down the pitch.” cricket,” said Smith – was the bowling of XL’s four spin of 81* in XL’s 266-4 and Kevin Bissett weighed in with a He left without delay. Had it been a 40 over game XL bowlers Phil Deakins, John Hartley, Neil Canham and John hard-hitting 57. Ron Nelson, the tour leader rightly said might have won but as it was they went down by 65 runs. Courtney who shared six wickets. Parrots were chirping in that XL was not disgraced. the trees near the east side as Jon Thornton (70*) and Stuart The original programme had a game at the Desmond (67) put on 107 for the first wicket. Match two, on the next day, was at the Hoyts village Haynes Oval on the Saturday but it turned out to be a ground and it was three times as big as FSA. There was return match against the Hoyts club. The highlight was a The usual Gala buffet dinner took place later in the evening little shade and with no nets to warm up the players they scintillating catch near the end taken by John Hartley at in the ballroom and Ian Moore was presented with the Man were given the local speciality, the exotic rainbow cake in mid-off. Akeem Ifill rifled the ball to his left and John leapt of the Tournament trophy by Duco Ohm (above). For the the Courtney Browne and Martin King Pavilion which like Gordon Banks and grasped the ball to his chest. first time every player, official and umpire was presented boasted a loud-blasting music player. The match started 90 with medals (not gold, silver or bronze). The total came to minutes after it was supposed to start. Simon Gerring, fresh from being dismissed for a second 60, seven short of Great Britain’s tally of medals in the Rio ball duck in the previous night’s harum-scarum T20 played Olympics. XL struggled to 119 and Paul Bradley, who is chairman of on the football-pitch-sized ground at Dover CC where the Malta Cricket Association, sent a tremor through learned to hit gigantic sixes, smote six Peter Owens was given the Gentleman Cup, well deserved, sixes in his 84. “They play with a soft ball under terrible and Duco, SGS’s former ICC umpire and longstanding lights,” said Simon. “Never seen anything like it. Beamers chairman, was honoured. At six feet eight inches, Duco is were allowed and one quickie hit a batsman’s helmet and a giant, in every respect. He was a fast medium bowler – a nearly went for six. I was out second ball, thankfully.” fearsome sight! – and umpired more than 1,000 matches Hoyts’ mix of young and old players eased past the target including 82 in international cricket. His tall, beautiful wife in 24.4 overs. No one was too worried: we had put up a Lideke accompanied him, often doing the scoring. Now stout fight. Later in the evening two players walking back at 80 he is taking it easy – having safely completed the to the hotel were accosted by two attractive young ladies 2,400 kms round road trip from his home in Holland to La and one said “Do you want to go to a lively party boys?” Manga - but he will still be seen at our tournaments. They sensibly declined. Nigel Angus in full flight Paul Bradley and Simon Gerring lie down to inspect the pitch

34 35 The Forty Club 20152017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk February 14th, St Valentine’s Day, dawned as confusion parents were senior officers in the Salvation Army, OLD ETONIAN LETS took over. Overnight the second match at Isolation against wore ear studs, a rarity these days. As the older their old boys was mysteriously cancelled but their 22 players came in and out John hit his way to 86. He DOWN HIS SIDE IN DUBAI year old skipper Jamaine Bullen, who was a £50 a week fell to an even better catch from Kevin in the same professional for Warminster CC in the West of England spot. Richard Cox, the skipper, steered his side to a Premier League where Barry Aitken is heavily involved, four wicket win. Two mini-tours were undertaken in the latter stages started ringing up his players. His valiant effort was of 2016. The first one, to our old friends at Lanzarote, rewarded. At 12.42 pm the toss was held and realizing his 13-year-old Jacob Bethell, son of former Barbadian all- ended in two victories on the artificial pitch at Puerto del team contained five first team players including a Barbados rounder Arthur Bethell would have played but he was Carmen. Lanzarote’s Adam Finch dominated their innings international, we agreed to a catch-weight contest with XL picked out for a game in Trinidad by . Both with an unbeaten 139 in a total of 233-4 and Dave Smith facing 30 overs and 20 for the home side. Lara and Gary believe Jacob has the assets to get to the contributed 52. N.H. Monish was the key bowler for XL top and several English counties are talking with his with 3-21. Ash Mohammed (31) and Dave Smith (75*) put It turned out to be a slaughter with Jamaine, 80* and Kevin parents to take him to join an Academy in England. XL on the way to a five-wicket win with three overs to Cardogan, 120, hitting 11 sixes in their 215-3. A stocky fast spare. John Hartley (40*) rounded it off. The view of Isolation’s ground bowler who hadn’t played for five years was too quick for The final punishing game at Boscobelle in the North Paul Bradley and Jon Thornton, who both made ducks. proved to be the toughest. Fidel Edwards, the former Two days later Dave Smith made 66 and French 76* in We found paradise next day at the village of Isolation in He was taken off with a hat trick looming. Casual, older Test fast bowler who recently played for Hampshire, Lanzarote’s 211 in 46 overs with seven XL bowlers sharing St. Andrews in the North. The land for a new, immense- bowlers took over and XL, who ended on 96-9, lost by 119 was supposed to come along and lay on a barbeque. the wickets. Jon Thornton’s unbeaten 95 earned the Man sized ground was a gift by the local authority and the runs. Barry said “Great credit to Jermaine and his players No surprise: he failed to show up. Rob Nelson of the Match award, steering XL to a four wicket win in 45 members of North Star CC raised the money for the for standing in at short notice. That’s the true spirit of recruited Jamaine Bullen and a leg-spinner from his overs. John Hartley, promoted to no. 3, fell one short of a rebuilt pavilion not far from Sir , the Moral cricket and we congratulate them. Jermaine and the fast team to bolster his tattered, dwindling army. Their half century, and Robert Smith was run out for 26. Armament devotee and one of the outstanding West bowler were promptly signed up to guest for XL the next president didn’t know the match was on his fixture list Indian openers, was born. We reminded ourselves that day at Lodge School but a brief violent shower washed out and frantically called up his young players to take on An elderly party of XL stalwarts arrived in Dubai on accidentally running into the main sightscreen, built with the game. what he thought was a top class UK club side. December 4th encompassing five matches in six days in breeze blocks, would lead to a visit to the A and E at the perfect weather. Although the results were mixed – one Isolation Hospital and no-one did. Another Barbadian international, the fastest victory, three defeats and an exciting draw – we acquitted encountered, started delivering short, rearing missiles ourselves surprisingly well, except in the first match at Rob Nelson’s bowlers performed nobly with Roger Hickman off a rock hard pitch. The first 24 runs were extras and Sharjah Stadium where we dropped more than the usual bowling the only maiden of the innings. It drew applause a relieved XL side came in unscathed with 149 hard quota of catches and were consequently trounced by the all around the ground. Dacosta Atherley, a 60 year old coach earned runs off 30 overs. Boscobelle careered past it Stallions despite John Hartley’s accurate bowling and Jon who had played league cricket in the UK scored 114 in his off only 17 overs. Thornton’s defiant half-century. side’s 210-7. XL was edging closer towards a rare victory until two brilliant catches on the legside, one from Atherley This was the first XL tour to Barbados and unless we Henchman Nigel Gadsby throwing himself forward, slowed the innings. Nigel Angus attract better, younger players and better organization contributed to our sole (39*) still had the chance to win in the final over but the among the island’s clubs, it will be the last, sadly. victory over Mercedes Benz canny Atherley, knowing the local rule that only one run Because it was, in the main, thoroughly enjoyable with CC with a well-made fifty comes from a wide not two, deliberately bowled two wides the finale being a rapturous, four-hour cruise in the on the same ground. New to stop XL winning. It was an almost moral victory. $200,000 catamaran Silver Moon 11, well-organized overseas member Niyas by Barry Aitken and featuring the Welsh contingent Valappil also made telling Mr Big in Barbados cricket is six feet eight inches tall, jolly Phil Deakin sitting with Joel Garner and friends leading the choir. contributions, especially Joel “Big Bird” Garner, formerly of Littleborough CC, Phil a swirling catch on the boundary which nobody else Deakin’s club, and Somerset CCC. He is President of the Twenty four hours later another pounding was would have even laid a hand on. Thus inspired, Rob Barbados Cricket Association and recently became team administered at the island’s finest-equipped major Nelson and Charlie Nelson held three good catches manager for the West Indies team, and turned up to renew club - at Windward CC. Early signs were good: between them. his friendship with Phil. “Great to see Phil bringing over several OAPs turned up in their whites but the sight his arm,” he said with a laugh. “I’m 65 and the last time I of Dale Richards, a 40 year old former West Indies Old Etonian Nigel Buckingham-Jones, who is employed bowled, 15 years ago, my body ached all over.” batsman/wicketkeeper with three Test and eight by MI5, atoned for some bizarre fielding with some ODI caps, padded up sank spirits. Batting first – XL accurate left-arm spin. In his end of tour speech Robert As the man who is in charge of the development of nearly always rigged the toss – Phil Deakin, 66, Smith said “When he has been thoroughly vetted he future West Indian stars, which now seems to have dried almost batted through the 35 overs until exhaustion will be asked to take over as Eastern Counties DC and up, we asked him “are they still playing proper cricket in took over and he was run out. Jon Thornton excelled to sign the XL Official Secrets Act to prevent him from Barbados?” He replied: “Yes but it has been enlarged to again with 55 and we made 194-5. To win we needed disclosing to our opponents that we are not really very bring in short-form cricket as well. I tell the youngsters to a early demise for the grinning Richards. No such good at playing cricket.” stay fit and at 11 o’clock go to bed. Most of them do…but luck. His immaculate straight-batted blows rained with girls.” We told him that a similar problem occurs in over the bougainvillea trees as he raced to 65 before Thanks as always are due to Rob and Hasan Jafri for the UK because exams are cutting into cricket time, he Kevin Bissett adroitly caught him close to the black- organizing the tour, to Alan Jones the scorer and to our said pointedly: “But they don’t cut down in rugby. That’s coloured, breeze block sightscreen. Both Richards flawless umpires Chris Stokes and Claude Kensett. just an excuse.” and Jeremy John, a burly Jamaican all-rounder whose

36 37 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk The race was now on for being the first man past the 100 mark. Will was favourite but on 91 the recalled Bartholomew had him caught at long on by Harrison. The stand put on 165 for the fourth wicket. Though tiring and needing several top-ups with orange squash, his partner kept going, regularly finding the huge boundaries.

Richard Mansfield, XL’s kit supplier, was caught by NW’s canny opening bowler Mather off the recalled Bartholomew and Allaway (right) put up the 250 by reaching his 100 off 118 balls. Roscoe bowled the last over and it was a remarkable one, with four wickets falling. Skipper Jerry Hinds came in at no. 7 and was another victim of a Bartholomew catch, for 2. Allaway’s stumps were shattered by a quicker ball on 120 and Neil Pestifield and Clive Grierson followed. Both sides could be faulted for putting their fielders right on the boundaries and a dozen-or-so chances fell well short. In Banbury’s large staff provided an excellent local leagues, the boundaries seem to be bigger. In the Test self-service lunch/tea combo with pizza, grounds they are receding. Only three sixes were hit. chips, varied sandwiches, sausage rolls, wraps, scotch eggs, oval Banbury cakes, Which of the Davids was made Man of the Match scones – copiously covered by cream and – Bartholomew for his 9-4-23-3 and two catches ALL SMILES AT and his slow left-arm colleague Phil Deakins both bowled strawberries – and chocolate eclairs. or Allaway for his scintillating 120? Roly Walton, accurately with variety but perhaps a couple of seamers Surrey’s supremo, voted for his man Allaway from BANBURY CROSS would have kept the pressure on. Refreshed, Mordt and Naylor proved too Henley (left). He was right: it was well deserved. good for NW’S Mellor and Bennett and at Barry handed over the magnificent Forty Club The batsmen’s running between the wickets was exceptional. 25-2 in came the unusually named Schaughn Herbert Hunter Trophy to skipper Bjorn Mordt and Fourteen overs into the Forty Club’s Cup Final at Banbury Now it was like seeing greyhounds leaping out of the traps. Van Guerin, a 20 year old from Cape Town, complimented the Banbury officials for laying on such Cricket Club on September 6th the portents were good for The next 50 runs came off 58 deliveries and both players who scored an unbeaten 88 for NW against East a wonderful day. Keith Roscoe’s North West side. He had won the toss and passed 50 in quick succession. The next fifty came off 47 balls. Midlands in the semi-final. He is an Associate and John put Surrey and West Sussex in and Bjorn Mordt, who won Sharples said “he’s the professional at Worsley where Michael last year’s final with his century at Swindon, was caught at Vaughan started his career and he finds himself with not NOTABLES OF BANBURY square leg for one, clipping the ball over Harrison’s head BANBURY CC LEADS much to do between Leagues match so I signed him up.” He only for the fielder to knock it up into the air and hold on bowled late in the innings and was expensive off a short run ANTHONY BURGESS to it. Nigel Angus feathered a catch to NW’s veteran wicket- THE FIELD but he explained “I normally bowl off-breaks and couldn’t novelist who taught at Banbury Grammar School keeper and chairman John Sharples also for one and Steve grip the ball because I have had a dislocated first finger and a Naylor’s innings of 32 was ended by Barry Aitken’s raising badly bruised little finger so I had to try bowling quicker.” JOHN CRAVEN of the finger to signal lbw. The batsman claimed a nick: One of the most go-ahead clubs in the Midlands, BBC TV presenter Barry disagreed. Banbury CC was first to appoint a Director of Tall and fast over the ground, he found it hard work getting Cricket in 1996 when they gave the job to the former the ball away and when he was on 15 Naylor appealed in a BENJAMIN GREEN The holders (pictured above) were 61-3 and suffering. They Worcestershire and England fast bowler Neal Radford. stentorian voice for LBW and our umpire signalled a leg bye. nurse at the Horton General Hospital who poisoned 17 had just recorded their first boundary. In contrast to the He led them to success in the Home Counties Premier The combative bowler protested in vain. The game restarted. patients for the thrill of trying to resuscitate them. morning’s weather forecast – the Met Office said sun would League and retired in 2000 at the age of 44. Born On 34 Van Guerin played back and was bowled by Matt shine – low, static cloud over the ground lingered on until in Zimbabwe, he took 994 first class wickets for Cannon, who recently had 19 stitches in the webbing of his LARRY GRAYSON after tea. On a green looking pitch NW’s opening bowlers Lancashire and Worcestershire and appeared in three hand. Van Guerin said “He bamboozled me. I should have TV presenter “were making the ball talk” in the words of our umpire. Tests for England. He now runs a cricket company and gone forward.” Asked about his name, he said “My first name is a UKIP MP candidate. is Irish and my mother came from there and the surname ALAN LLOYD HODGKIN David Bartholomew, a former Keighley rugby league comes from the Dutch.” biophysicist who was a Nobel Prize winner player who plays for ’s old club St. Anne’s, In 2012 Banbury merged with Banbury Twenty CC and was virtually unplayable with his slow-medium swingers. they field five teams on Saturdays, one on Sundays, Left-handed Chris Turner, whose son Calum scored a LANCELOT HOLLAND Banbury’s resplendent pavilion, built in 1996 on land sold by a midweek side which play in a T20 competition, a century for Lancashire’s second team the previous week, the Admiral who died on HMS Hood in 1941 when the Tesco, was partly paid for by the National Lottery. David, a ladies section and a thriving colts section. In 2015 they was dismissed for 18 at the same total and Bartholomew German battleship Bismarck was sunk cheery man of Caribbean extraction, was also a beneficiary appointed Australian Test ‘keeper Tim Paine from was caught off the glove by Jerry at slip at 83-4. The batsman from the lottery. Some time ago he became a millionaire by Hobart as their player/coach. He scored 836 runs queried it but in a friendly way as he made off to the pavilion. PRIME MINISTER LORD NORTH (1770-82) buying the right ticket! with five centuries, average 76 and the club finished former MP for Banbury, who was blamed for the loss of second in the league. He made his Test debut in 2010 Neil Fletcher celebrated his 48th birthday by taking a wicket the colonies in the War of American Independence At that point he was taken off with parsimonious figures of and averaged 35.87 in his four Tests. His international and Jerry Hinds bowled nine overs of high-flighted off-breaks 6-4-5-1. Left handed David Allaway of Henley CC could have career was ended when he had five operations to cure and took two wickets. At the same time he gifted a few errant GORDON RAMSAY been dismissed early on but persevered and when Will Moore a fractured finger and Brad Haddin took over. deliveries for Phil Deakin to reach an unbeaten 51 as the world-renowned chef of Epsom CC came in things changed dramatically. Keith innings ended at 181-8, 98 runs short.

38 39 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk SECRETARY’S REPORT FIXTURES On a more worrying note, attendances at our Spring and In addition to our Spring and Autumn Meetings, 2015/16 Autumn Meetings at The Berkshire have been gradually Once again it is my pleasure to report on another saw us playing some 36 matches between March and declining in spite of Peter Crowcroft’s sterling efforts successful year for the Golfing Society, particularly as we November, a 2015 Christmas Meeting at Liphook GC and to keep the numbers up. We really need a minimum of have a number of new Members with a recent cricketing our very well attended 60th Anniversary celebration day 72 players (we just about reached 60 last year) at each background. In fact, two of these are still playing cricket for in December 2016. Mike Lee also hosted a very enjoyable of these Meetings which are, after all, the two most the Forty Club, which is marvellous; and both were in the Captain’s Day at Ashridge in July. The match results important fixtures in our calendar if we are to keep winning Surrey & West Sussex side in the XL Inter-District below show that we either won or drew well over 50% of playing both the Red and Blue courses morning and final. You will be interested to hear that the Forty Club has our matches; we regained the Decanter at the Porthcawl afternoon. Even if you only manage to play once or twice suggested that the schools who play cricket against us are Quadrangular and again managed to beat all of our fellow next year please try and make these two days if you considering starting an inter-regional golf competition, cricketing Golf Societies during the season. possibly can – and remember that you are welcome to which can only benefit us in the future. If this idea comes to bring along a guest as well. fruition then we will be pleased to assist in whatever way we For 2017, we have retained nearly all of last year’s fixtures can. Our Golfing Society continues to thrive with well over (some are in different months - so look carefully at the list) and All of our fixtures are open to all of our Members, so 120 Members being involved in our matches, short tours, the are adding two new matches and one splendid new course in please remember to contact the relevant match managers Spring and Autumn Meetings as well as our new informal Huntercombe. We are returning to play in Yorkshire for the as early as possible in the year if you would like to play, Christmas Meeting. first time in several years and making our quadrennial visit even if you are a new Member – and don’t just expect to to Royal County Down to play the Windcheaters in July. We be selected because you played last year. Those of you who were able to attend our 60th Anniversary President John Barclay in full flow at the 60th anniversary lunch have also been approached by a small number of well-known celebrations at St. George’s Hill GC in December enjoyed a Societies and other Clubs who are keen to have a fixture Finally, this will be my last report as your Secretary as I hugely successful day. There was great weather for the golf on We have had 109 Members playing at least once (not against us, as and when we can fit them into our very busy have handed over into the very capable hands of Peter a fine course, an excellent lunch - followed by some sparkling including the 60th celebration) with a significant growth list. We keep all of our fixtures under constant review and, as Crowcroft. At the AGM I was elected to the new role of speeches from Jonny Barclay (the Forty Club President) and in membership from north of the Thames and from South evidenced by the 2017 list, do introduce new matches from XLGS Chairman, with my primary remit being to help our Captain - not to mention the free-flowing refreshment Hampshire. It is with some regret that our attempts to try time to time. Like many other traditional golfing societies, our maintain and build on our excellent relationship with the available throughout the day. Of over 90 attendees on the day, and recruit in the North West have borne little fruit. Next relatively high average-age profile makes playing 36 holes in main Forty Club. Again my thanks and appreciation goes around 20 were new Members this year who were mostly in year we will try Yorkshire where we still have a number of one day ever more difficult. Whilst our Society’s traditional to Peter Crowcroft, David Lancaster and Stuart Bowden, the 40/50 year age group. This is particularly encouraging for Members, albeit mostly inactive, perhaps due to the lack of format of 36 hole foursomes matches rightly continues to who provide the management and administration of our our future. We hope that they, in turn, will bring in more new fixtures in that part of the country. dominate our list, the popularity of playing 18 hole four- Society and maintain our tremendous fixture list; and also Members to help maintain our Society through to our 75th ball matches sees us adding one more of these this year. to the Members of the Committee and our hardworking Anniversary and well beyond that. Finally, we were particularly saddened to lose Denis Fortunately, our match managers seemed to have had little Match Managers - without whom our fixture list could not Freedman during the year – a very long-standing and devoted difficulty in raising their teams throughout the last season; as be sustained. MEMBERSHIP XLGS Member. Denis was Captain in 1997/98 and was also evidenced by a much quieter Fixture Secretary’s telephone, an Honorary Life Member of our Society for many years. for which he was very grateful and thanks them all for their Enjoy your golf in 2017. In factual terms it will look like we have lost far more Richard, his son, and his family were particularly pleased with assistance – he very much hopes that trend continues through Members than we have had join. Our loss from the handbook the many Forty Club Members in attendance at his funeral. the coming year! Tony Colbeck, Hon. Secretary. has been 50 and we have had 19 new Members join. This was a conscious decision to make our membership records more FINANCES accurately reflect those actually paying subscriptions. The measure used is that if subs have not been paid for two years It has been a year where the account has been cash heavy with or more, and that there has been no response, to letters and the payments for our 60th celebration and the accumulation emails chasing the same, then that individuals membership of the £5 levy for this event. All Members who paid the £5 will be deemed to have ended. This process will continue next levy will receive a commemorative XLGS 60th Anniversary year with this year’s non-payers being moved next year into golf towel, available for collection at the Spring Meeting. the two year bracket. Underlying this has been a neutral position with regard to our funds. We continue to receive the much appreciated Forty Perhaps of more interest is the fact that we have compiled Club cricketers’ refund which keeps us on an even keel. an active players list this year, recording all those who have come to the two main Meetings and played in matches. It should also be noted that we have transferred the balance of the Longman bequest to the deposit account from which 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 we receive interest in a sum equivalent to circa 35 annual subscriptions at £10. This means we have achieved the goal Won 14 14 15 15 16 we set ourselves when deciding to invest rather than spend. Halved 2 6 5 5 5 However, we continue to review this legacy to see where and Lost 20 15 14 15 13 when we can make use of it for the benefit of all of our golfing Members. For example, we will see if we can use some of this C/NR 3 3 1 2 2 money to help lessen the adverse impact of the steadily rising cost of the Spring and Autumn meetings – more on this in Total 39 38 35 37 36 Fixtures below. Walking up the 18th at St George’s Hill Golf Club

40 41 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk DISTRICT REPORTS took 11 in his four matches. 68 players represented the EM There was a more interesting fixture at Shrewsbury on was that the Gents had beaten them over the past few district, 43 of them just once and we hope most of them School, despite arctic conditions. After some comedy seasons, and the Imps had decided to gather a side to will come back for more in the future. Cliff Adwick made batting at the start, debutant Dave Stibbon (57) shared a reverse that trend! With a team filled with Premier League 10 appearances with Bill Taylor just behind on eight. Eight rapid fourth wicket partnership of 98 with captain Andy players including a number of overseas individuals, the EAST MIDLANDS (Peter Mason) new members played their first matches this year. Ratcliffe Robertson. Then Harry Brooks (26) - fresh from 30°C heat Imps rattled up 361 in 40 overs and it became evident College was the East Midlands school team of the year. in Australia! - and the skipper (64*) put on another 74 during their innings that each batsman was tasked with First of all, thanks to the match before declaring on 191-4 after only 30 overs. The school hitting a 6 first ball they faced – most succeeded! Somewhat managers for an amazing effort Loads of stats and full details of all matches are on the coasted to a draw with the boys on 136-4 off 27 overs. A shell-shocked, recruited Warwickshire’s in getting full sides out for every East Midlands Play-cricket website. reviving curry laid on by our host Rob Morris was much Mark Adair, who happened to be at the club, and his 50 game, even if it meant closing the appreciated after the wintry experience. helped to salvage a draw with 223-5 off 48 overs. 14 year warehouse for the afternoon so that old Owais Mohammed impressed with his 46. the opening bowlers could play as WEST MIDLANDS (Steve Dellow) King Henry’s at Coventry was far more enjoyable guests at Denstone this year. The with some welcome sunshine. Stuart Reeve (62) and We ended the season with a determination to expand second year as match manager is The 2016 season was a period Will Windeatt (68) put on 135 for the first wicket in a the membership and fixtures for next year and special always easier! It was great to see a of transition for the District. The total of 229-5 in 48 overs. Steve Docker made an early mention must be made of John Tunbridge whose diligent new fixture against Outcasts which departure of Roger Wickson after a breakthrough but Shatia (92*) and Toor (113) rapidly took scoring kept the numbers adding up, and the reliable produced a really good sociable and enjoyable day out for sterling spell in charge was a hard act the score to 200 for the second wicket. The school timed assistance of umpire David Bird. players from three districts. to follow. However, the members are their chase perfectly, winning off the penultimate ball, determined to go forward under new with 230-4 off only 37 overs. In terms of performance, we were losing semi-finalists in chairman Steve Dellow. Most of the SCOTLAND (Colin Neill) the Inter District Competition after a fine victory against traditional school and college fixtures At Bloxham School, we faced a young, enthusiastic team. Scotland and awarded the match against North East. were retained though the weather After a hearty lunch, XL openers Windeatt (61) and Brooks We ended last year, after an Around the usual number of matches were played and took a serious toll and four games (42) set about the school bowling. New member John excellent September, looking half of them won. Our century makers were John Trueman were cancelled. The opener against Maundrell added a creditable 33 in XL’s 201-7 off 36 overs, forward to this season. A long (2), Sam Clulow, Jason Gorman, and Paul Shepherd. Well Warwick School followed the traditional pattern. The boys but note should also be made of Nick Jelley’s rapid journey winter ended in early April. We batted! And our five-wicket hauls were taken by… no-one batted on after tea, setting an impossible target of 247 and across half the country that allowed him to face one over started at Fettes College, always this year. Shez Butt’s 4-51 was the closest. Phil Lafbery so the match meandered to a draw with XL on 112-7. at the end, for three valuable runs. In reply, the youngsters an enjoyable game and were well produced some entertaining batting, opting to ‘go for it’ looked after by the school. Nine right to the end, rather than play for the draw. They were games were played by the end of eventually all out for 170 off 33 overs. May including two on Sunday 24th April.

The first round of the Inter District tournament was The statistics will suggest a poor season, 12 games lost staged at Langtons CC near Leicester, who were excellent to the weather, however 26 games were played of which hosts. East Central struggled against the bowling of nine were won, four drawn, one tied and 12 lost. The Faraz Ul-Haq (5-28) and were all out for 99 in 35 overs. It statistics however do not reflect that seven games went to became apparent that their District Chairman had failed the last over of which two were won and five lost. Great to inform their captain to include two U35 players in the games never the less. team and West Midlands passed the total in under 23 overs, with 103-3 despite the excellent bowling of Nigel We had a first match with Morrison’s Academy and Buckingham-Jones (3-17 off 9). two great games with the touring Fingletoads of . We also played a celebration game with an The weather intervened as matches at Old Swinford Indian Select XI. Hospital School, Stourbridge, KES B’ham, Bromsgrove School and Tettenhall College, Wolverhampton were all Of the 13 matches that made up the school season, casualties. we had five wins, two draws and four losses with two matches cancelled. Our school of the season Next outing was the second round of the Inter District at was Lomond School from Helensburgh. An excellent Ashtead CC and West Midlands made steady progress match 237-7 played 227-7 with both teams playing an with the experienced Eral Anderson (104) playing the excellent brand of cricket. It was also great to see a anchor role in our 245-5. It was not to be enough – Surrey young school captain handle his bowlers and fielders and W.Sussex’s Bjorn Mordt (133*) played a sublime so well under pressure. innings with partner Richard Mansfield (41) and they sailed over the line in under 38 overs. Several milestones were achieved during the season. Iain Redmond played his 150th match; Sandy Baird We responded to a request from Leicester Gents to help took his 100th wicket and scored his 1000th run, Alex them with a fixture against the Warwickshire Imps. The Steele took his 100th victim. Dinesh Bailwal scored an match was arranged at the Knowle and Dorridge ground, excellent hundred at Morrison’s. District Chairman An East Midlands team at Belton Park a top Birmingham League venue but what wasn’t passed Colin Neill turned out 14 times with John Cameron

42 43 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk capturing 17 wickets including 5-35 in the first game EASTERN COUNTIES (Robert Smith) SOUTH (Derek Candy) The middle of June provided the best results of the while Raj Waruna and Lucas Farndale slugged it out season with two wins in five days against Dauntsey’s before Raj, with 264 runs, outscored Lucas, who ended Eastern Counties had a mediocre The season did not start well when and Reading Blue Coat School. The XL posted 178 at on 261 runs, as season top scorers. season in terms of results but acting chairman Ian Henderson Dauntsey’s with Mike Ruffell, a 25 year old “Kolpak” did beat Aldenham for the first fell ill with a minor stroke in early guest from New Zealand, hitting a very good 76. The Again I need to thank the 80 players that represented time thanks to an accomplished May which left us short of a match school batsmen were in a very good position at 151-4 the District, Allan Baxter, our scorer, Duncan Walker, our innings by Jim Keys (45*) manager for four of our fixtures but as wickets started to fall the runs dried up and they umpire and host at our adopted home ground at the Tryst, and incisive spin bowling by but after a long rest he has made a were eventually bowled out for 162. and Cammie Munro, who records many of our games for Adrian Fawden (5-37). We also full recovery. Despite losing a third posterity through the lens of his trusty camera. conquered Kings Ely and later of our fixtures to the weather once again we enjoyed The match against Reading Blue Coat did not start well in the season Frinton with half- our best results for some time, winning two, drawing with the late withdrawal of a player but this was covered So the whites are washed, ironed and packed away, the centuries by Bob Collins and three and losing three of our eight matches. by the school cricket master who organised a rotation of his bat oiled and the memories stored. We all look forward and then 5-45 from the enigmatic players during the whole time we were in the field. Derek with anticipation to April 2017 and another new season. Steve Lugg. The season began on a very wet April pitch at Reddam Candy reduced the school to 114-7 in an opening 14 over House College where neither side wanted to bat first spell taking 6-41 out of a total of 160. The cricket master Against Bedford Modern we clutched a draw from but unfortunately XL lost the toss and were shot out for then surprised us even more by offering his opening NORTH EAST (Anthony D Sheppard) the jaws of victory, having been 117 for no wicket only 64. Both the school openers were removed by John batsman Lawton Davis to bat for us at No.4 who went on thanks to Nigel Gadsby (55) and Pete Rowe (74) Hawkins before Derek Candy took four wickets in an to compile an excellent 70 against his own team which It’s not often that you win a match chasing 191. 14 year old Robert Bassin scythed over and although the school was made to work hard went a long way to our eventual win by one wicket. with an all-run five! But North East through our middle order before we held out on 175 for their runs they eventually won by two wickets with did it in their Inter District win v for 7. Candy enjoying match figures of 5-32. Having played XL Club matches for many years I have East Midlands in July through a never come across a school that provided both fielders super over after scores were tied. It We were well beaten by Framlingham despite good In the match against Winchester College our side went during the whole of our innings and their best batsman was the peak of our season which knocks from Matt Catley, Bob Milne and Kevin Grant into lunch in a good position with the College on 110-6 during ours and it was a pleasure to play against a soon turned into a low when we and were second best to Parmiter’s, where Dave but as with most schools, they batted well down the school whose sportsmanship matches those of the Forty were disqualified as we had a Humphreys’ 88 not out set a challenging target, order eventually finishing on 196 with John Hawkins Club. That is the reason why we play these matches. player registered too late - after the Forest School, Kimbolton and Chigwell. There was taking an excellent 5-40. We struggled against a good match! The earlier peak was beating an exciting finish against RHS after Dave Rai (76), pace and spin attack, with the exception of Adam Smith Mike Ruffell continued his excellent form after his 76 Richmond School with the aid of the club steward, Paul Hurworth (73) and Kevin Grant (51*) enabled who stroked an excellent 90 out of a total of 148-7 with against Dauntsey’s with 100 not out against Collegiate Dave Wood, who made 32 and won the match with a us to declare on 260 but the boys scraped home by the match ending drawn. College and a top class 134 against club side Stoner. hat-trick in the last over to end with figures of 6-25 off 1 wicket in the last over despite 5-68 from Nigel seven overs, while Sheppard took 4-52 at the other end! Buckingham-Jones. Matching Green overdid it against our decrepit bowling with 320-6, so defiant We did play seven matches out of 10, winning four innings by Steve Marsh (81) and the ever consistent and losing two while one was abandoned to rain. We Kevin Grant (62) were in vain. had 53 players with many associates (under 35s) and guests while only 12 played more than one match. Our sole Inter Districts match vs. West Midlands was Three players made 50s - Attenborough (72), Ingram a flop but the season finished with enjoyable social (59) and Foggitt (51). On the bowling side our South matches against British Tamils, Outcasts in North African guest Michael Loubser registered 6-27 and Lincs (a joint fixture with East Midlands) and Stoics. a hit a whirlwind 31, earning an unexpected victory Life improved further in November among the sun- at Barnard Castle. He has played First Class cricket drenched volcanoes of Lanzarote where we were joined for Boland in Cape Town and was professional for by five mature SGS Dutchmen. We beat our hosts Undercliffe in the Bradford League. by five and four wickets respectively, chasing down 236 and 211 with almost all our party contributing, After 17 years – I think - as chairman I have now especially John Thornton (95*), John Hartley (40* and handed the job to Jeremy Rhodes as interim chairman 49) and Dutch all-rounder Danny Eldering. and wish him well. Lanzarote Cricket Association hope soon to boost Barry Aitken adds: “May I pay tribute on behalf of the cricket tourism and honour the Forty Club by Club to all that Tony has achieved during his tenure. This inaugurating the “David Humphreys Heritage Trail”, past 12 months has not been easy for him and he has which will start at cricket-sponsoring pub “the Inn soldiered on gallantly and with great dignity. We hope Place” and wend its way down the side streets and that now the burden of chairmanship has been lifted from back alleys of Puerto del Carmen taking in cultural his shoulders, he will continue to play and enjoy his XL and sporting highlights handpicked by David during cricket and we look forward to seeing that left-arm action his visits. Next stop for Eastern Counties was Dubai wheeling away from one end!” from December 4 – 11 when we played five matches.

44 45 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk WALES (Peter Owens) and attitude both on and off the field during all the We had some notable performances with the bat – R. Reeds provided yet another memorable day’s cricket. The matches and our captain Chris Hudson who again Warne (55 vs. Langley), J. Olufawo (102 vs. Sutton School batted first and declared on 238-4 after 58 overs. N Like some other Districts the showed great leadership. This was also Chris’s last Valence), S. Faulkner (54 vs. Alleyn’s School, the district Tilley opened and scored a solid 71 and G Griffiths was weather unfortunately disrupted game as captain and we are greatly indebted to him nomination for the Forty Club trophy), A. Stokes (76 100* at the close. In reply, the XL Club had 45 overs but the season. The end results were for the commitment he showed in developing Wales as vs. St. Dunstan’s), T. Amos (92 vs. Wales), D. Steele (51 reached the target for the loss of 9 wickets thanks again to won three, lost one, and cancelled one of the most consistent teams as we have reached vs. Hurstpierpoint) and two XL members getting 100s 70 from Dave Allaway and 51 from G Locke. 13. Some were cancelled by the the semi-finals or finals in the majority of years he has on opposite sides in the match at Margate – S. Faulkner opposition due to their inability to been in charge. with 103 for us and Neil Canham with 136 for Margate. It was good to be back at King Edward’s School, Witley raise sides, others by the weather On the bowling front there was a lot of toil with not after an absence of several years but were it not for the but the biggest disappointment of The new captain is Simon Holliday and I trust that all much success. The exception was John Hawkins with free draining, sandy soil we might not have got a game in all was that the District, for different reasons, could not players will give him similar support as he takes the helm. figures of 5-56 vs. Langley and 4-59 vs. Skinner’s. at all! In the event, the 35 over game was a bit one-sided raise a side in six matches. From that perspective 2016 We had three new members – Des Lally, Neil Morris and with XL Club scoring 205 (Dave Mann 66, C Evans 56) was the worst during my role as Chairman and therefore Leuan Rosser. Thank you gentlemen and I trust that you Thanks to all those players for their support and and the school only managed 72 in reply. my main message to members next season is to make will have many enjoyable years with the Club. I would encouragement against Wales and hopefully we can go themselves available and support the Club. With only like to thank all the players who have made themselves further in the open tournament in 2017. Thanks to our Our fixture against Epsom College was a new one and the four matches played there were no major highlights available – this has greatly assisted our match managers. umpires John Widgery and Norman Jones and also to we were greeted by wonderful weather and splendid with either bat or ball. Full details of the matches and Via the IT system, which Phil Stallard so ably controls, we Andrew Jones for scoring. hospitality. XL batted first and scored 235 in 60 overs (Robbie score sheets are shown in the Wales District section on seem to have run things smoothly during the season. This Arthur 50*). The School reached 229-8 in 45 overs. Match the Club website. all leads to a very happy District with a great group of I think this might be an XL first where we had three Drawn. It was a good conclusion to our school fixtures. people which is very important. generations of a family playing in the same match at In the Inter District competition we played Kent and Sissinghurst – Dexter, aged 10, Arthur, aged 13, father Against the clubs, we won a one-sided match at East Sussex in the first round. Kent and East Sussex Match managers, a big thank you as we all appreciate the Martin, aged 42 and grandfather Ron Hart, aged 75 Cuckfield. Batting first we scored 208-3 off our 40 overs batted first and amassed 250-6 in 45 overs. The main hard work you do in getting sides out. The other unsung – grand total of 140 years. It was a great day which and in reply Cuckfield were all out for 93 with Norman wicket-taker for Wales was Jon Cordon with 3 wickets. heroes are our umpires, scorers and tea ladies who ended in a draw, played in the right spirit and was Strickland 8-1-18-5 proving particularly effective! In reply Wales reached the target for the loss of 5 diligently carry out their duties. Without their support we what the Forty Club is all about. wickets in the 41st over with Paul Rees and Adrian would not have such an enjoyable time. The Walton on Thames fixture was our next match. Will Webber scoring 66 and 61 respectively. In the semi- We struggled to get players at times and I believe we Moore scored a hard hitting 104* and Clive Grierson and final we met Surrey and West Sussex and on this Well, after 25 years this will be my last report as I am need to get more of the 35-40 age group to join us. Any Matt Homewood both got 50’s in our total of 252-7. In occasion batted first. However our total of 176-9 was declaring the innings closed. I have enjoyed being your suggestions? At the same time, we should maintain reply, Walton struggled against a good opening spell from not challenging enough and the opposition reached chairman and hope that I have added some value. I have those members who do a fantastic job in promoting Andy Homewood 6-1-14-3 and finished on 176. the target for the loss of only 2 wickets in the 28th made many friends through the Forty Club not only here this great game within schools. Finally, thanks to all over. They went on to win the competition. I would in Wales but throughout the world. I will still continue to my match managers, scorers and umpires who have The game at Dorking has come to epitomise all that is like to thank all the squad for their performance serve on the Executive Board so the views and opinions done a great job. Well done and let’s hope in 2017 we good about English cricket and this year’s fixture didn’t of Wales will still be expressed at the top. You will know can do it all again. disappoint. With a win for either side possible in the last my replacement as he has already been doing a great job over, the match was drawn. DCC 252-5, XL 248-9 with during the last year as secretary – Phillip Stallard. He Nigel Angus scoring a fine 75. has agreed to take charge and I trust that you will give SURREY / WEST SUSSEX (Richard Bennett) him as much support as you have given me in having a We lost the match at Horsley & Send who, batting first, successful and friendly District. Isn’t it strange the way success scored 184-8 (dec). In reply XL only managed 164 despite breeds success! In 2015 SX won a fine 60 from Robbie Arthur. Diolch yn fawr. the Inter District competition and in 2016 we had 18 matches The match against the Sussex Martlets will long be scheduled of which we won 10, remembered as the game scheduled for a ground that was KENT / EAST SUSSEX (Cliff Hayward) drew 2, lost 3 and 3 were cancelled. not expecting us. At very short notice we were transferred And we retained the Inter District to Bolney, to whom huge thanks are due. Batting first, It was an interesting season in Trophy. Very well done to everyone Xl scored 233 – with Jon Thorton and Dave Mann both many ways with games being concerned. Of our 8 school matches scoring 91 (although the latter was not out!) – in our 30 cancelled by the schools rather we won 3, drew 1, lost 1 but 3 were sadly cancelled: overs. The Martlets managed 197-6 in reply. than us. However new fixtures only one of which was due to the weather. were being set up and our playing The final club game was our annual trip to 3 Bridges, record was – played 22, won four, We fielded a strong side for our season opener at St this year being played in September! In all other respects drawn four, lost seven, cancelled John’s (who were, once again, our nomination for the the game was familiar – Andy Meads scored runs (77) – six plus an Inter District game Henry Grierson Trophy) but we only managed 164 off Robbie Barker gave a generous declaration at 170-6 (off against Wales which we managed 42 overs and the school only needed 24 overs to pass the 42.3 overs) and Xl won in the 49th over (174-6) thanks to come second. The cancellations total. We did better at Ardingly in a 40 over game where, mainly to 75* from Jon Thornton. are a worry because the schools seem not to play batting first, we scored 234 thanks mainly to 70 from Dave because of exam pressure and I wonder whether it is Allaway. In reply, the College were initially held up by a As a ‘reward’ for winning the Inter District Tournament going to happen again this year. tight spell from Will Moore 6-2-13-1 and finished on 197. in 2015, the District were given the MCC fixture which

46 47 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk In the Inter District Competition we played WM in our We had one new fixture last season against Latymer NORTH WEST (John Sharples) first match. WM 245 – 5: SX 246 – 3 (Bjorn Mordt 133*, Upper. A very enjoyable day – superb facilities, Richard Mansfield 62). In the semi-final we played WA wonderful hospitality, a terrific cricket wicket, a We enjoyed a relatively successful who, batting first scored 176 – 9 with a very tight bowling good display by XL but despite having a very savvy season in which we managed to display from SX. In reply, Robbie Arthur scored 85* and coach, Latymer’s batting let them down somewhat. win four of our scheduled fixtures Steve Naylor 55 as we scored 180 – 2 to win the match. The straight bat was rarer than a Faberge egg but one after the rain had played its part in In the Final, SX batted first and thanks to 120 from Dave could argue that since the batsmen definitely went for washing out a further three games. Allaway and 91 from Will Moore we finished on 278 – 9. their shots, it certainly wasn’t monotonous! We had good victories at Bolton Another fine bowling display, with Matt Cannon 9-2-17-2 and Giggleswick Schools, as well leading the way, restricted NW to 181 – 8 and we won by Here’s to 2017 where we will gather many new as chasing down over 200 against 97 runs. The trophy was retained! members and play many more fixtures. Onwards and Cumbria Colts for an excellent win. upwards! Incidentally in this game one of our Off the cricket field, we have tried to play golf and I am guests, Will Bosisto, a 23 year old Australian right-hander, grateful to Denham Earl for all his efforts on our behalf. scored a very impressive ton and then in December he was We are hoping to arrange a match v the XL Golfing WEST (Winston Duguid, Andy Birkett selected to captain the Cricket Australia XI in their warm Society, so watch this space. and Peter Rebera) up game in Cairns against Pakistan.

On the admin side, Alan Newman has been brilliant in With the weather taking its toll Bosisto played for Rochdale in the Pennine and District ensuring that we have electronic communication with all in four fixtures, we finished the League and is a proper cricketer. He is similar in style our members. Thank you, Alan. remaining 16 games with six to Haseeb Hameed, who was reared at Bolton School losses, five wins and five draws. It and has now gone on to represent England on their Once again, I should like to place on record my thanks to took us some time to get into our tour of India. Two more of the Bolton School boys have all the district committee for their continuing hard work stride and we had to wait until made their debuts in county cricket recently, Matthew throughout the season and I look forward to 2017. mid-May before our first victory, and Callum Parkinson, with Lancashire and Derbyshire against Downside. respectively. Callum has now signed a two year contract I should like to conclude with a personal tribute to my with Leicestershire. In the Inter District tournament, predecessor, Dr Fred Imms, who sadly died shortly after The low point of the season was North West managed to reach the final after an emphatic the match with Dorking. Dorking CC and The Forty Club a drubbing at the hands of Gloucester Gypsies. win over the East Midlands in the semi-final at Barlaston, had played a huge part in Fred’s life and he in theirs. Fred In mitigation, the Gypsies played five overseas but in the final we came up against a very strong Surrey loved cricket and always had a cheery word of greeting players, one of whom was an IPL squad member. Our and West Sussex side and were well beaten on the day. and a wise word of counsel. Summers will not be the carefully compiled 247-9 in 59 overs was demolished Congratulations to them on winning the tournament. same without Fred but we thank him for all that he did by the Gypsies in just 30 overs, with no fewer than for the District, for all that his friendship meant to us and seven balls being lost in their innings! I am pleased to report that we managed to attract half we hope that the spirit of cricket, so dear to Fred, will live a dozen new members and each of these new members on in all that we do. One of several high points was the closely fought played their part over the season. However as a group contest at Prior Park School, Bath. XL compiled we must not be complacent and need to continue our 203-9 and the school was held in check by a superb recruitment strategy for the ensuing season. NORTH THAMES (Ilija Krunic) 5-44 from Steve Baker. They never gave up and kept going to the very last ball when they were dismissed I would further like to report that in our game against was played at Arundel on a glorious day in August. A This was unfortunately a season just three short of their target. XL did a similar thing Sedbergh we came across what was probably the strongest report of the match appears elsewhere in this journal but that never really got started for against Bristol CC, but this time we lost by two runs school side that we have played against for many years. the bare facts of the match were MCC 214 – 9 (dec) (Bjorn North Thames as too many games with two balls to go. One of their batsmen Harry Brook, who scored 132 against Mordt 17.2-2-53-5). XL 215 – 6: both Dave Allaway and were rained off or called off mainly us, went on to make his debut for Yorkshire two weeks later Steve Naylor scored fifties. Match won! due to lack of players. In the few Individual performances of note included Dave in a friendly against the Pakistani tourists. Watch for the games we played we actually won Worthington’s 76 on debut against West Buckland name – he is an outstanding prospect. We have continued to run our ‘Chance to Shine’ inter- more than we lost but certainly and in the same game the evergreen Brian Brogden schools competition at St John’s and I am grateful to not enough games were played to recorded figures of 5-20. At King’s College, Taunton, The golf section continues to flourish and enjoyed an Adrian Gale for organising every aspect of this so constitute a proper season. Steve Redwood made a masterful 89* and at Wells excellent two days at Pleasington Golf Club where the XL smoothly, once again. This year however, we went one Cathedral Graham Poulton made an excellent hundred. Golfing Society played a host team on the first day, and step further and on a bitterly cold day in early June we There is no need to beat about the the following day, under the excellent guidance of Richard played the Chance to Shine Select Mavericks XI. It is bush – troops are thin on the ground. Ironically now Also of merit was the all-round performance of Evans and Steve Kelly, staged the NW golf event with safe to say that we were bowled over by the quality of that Forty Club accepts all age ranges over 18 we’ve debutant James Jacob at Wellsway, where figures of teams from across the District, including several schools. the cricket played by the youngsters who scored 214 – 9 never had less manpower. This is very worrying. 3-30 helped restrict the school’s total and then a quick- This has become an annual event in our calendar followed in their innings. A little cameo for us in the field from All members need to try and enlist just one friend fire 52 almost stole the game. by the customary dinner. Russel Arnold should not go unmentioned! In reply, and this would make a massive difference. Grab our batting failed spectacularly and we lost by over 150 a mate and don’t let him or her go until they don Our thanks to our match managers, umpires and Finally, I would like to thank all the match managers who runs! Let’s see how we get on when we play a return their whites. There’s nothing more important than particularly our scorers, where Colin and Heather took the time, trouble and effort to support the North match of Street Cricket! recruitment. Voutt scored 12 times for us in the season together. West in completing their annual round of fixtures.

48 49 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk DAVID LIHOU HAMILTON “I never liked them.” The match was at Dover College and gone down in XL folklore: “We were on a tour to Hong Kong name. He was descended from the Scots and a Hamilton (1922-2016) he said “I took an hour to get off the mark.” Was his view and were late returning from the game. The ladies wanted the tartan was placed on the coffin. He had two daughters, five obstructed by the bars? “Not really, the bowlers were pretty coach to stop for a few minutes to visit the toilet. David said grandchildren and four great grandchildren. HAS THERE BEEN A BETTER good and conditions weren’t exactly shirtfront.” they were in danger of being late for dinner and said “No”. They pleaded to him but he wouldn’t budge. It caused a lot of There are two memorial benches at the Tonbridge ground FAREWELL FOR AN OLD Some years earlier a young batsman at Tonbridge laughs. He was a stickler for getting there on time.” - for the late Ron Helyar and Mike Wicks, XL stalwarts of CC was wearing a white helmet, similar to the one longstanding and the family would like one for David “to CRICKETER? pioneered by , the Warwickshire and David scored one century for XL, an unbeaten 102 – encourage others to pause and watch the game.” England batsman. “What’s that?” David asked the at Seaford College – but never reached the target for young batsman. “It’s a helmet,” replied the youth. “Take Tonbridge. One of his proud achievements was to score 72 A dozen of our members attended the ceremony and out of it off, I don’t like it,” he said. The batsman did and against the British Army in his 70th year. He was the fourth the current 2,300 or so members, we should be able to pay soon after he left and joined a rival club and made a highest scorer for XL with 6467 runs between 1972 and for a resplendent one. No-one has done more for the Club successful career with it. 2002, with a batting average of 17.2. Carl Openshaw, one than “Hammers.” of the mourners, tops the list with 10,658, Ron Hart (1990- David was a sprinter in his youth, using the Harold 2016) was second with 9612 and Andy Meads (1986-2014) His manners were impeccable. Most years he would write Abrahams high-knee running action, and it was said that was third with 7809. David came third in the appearances to me congratulating me about the Handbook. My best he was in line for a place in the British athletics team in the list with 399, behind Ron’s 721 and Mike Wicks’ (1980- memory of him was the twinkle in his eye. 1948 Olympics. He also played good standard football and 2002) 532. in 1945 he played for the British Army in India against a side During his XL career, David was a District Chairman, captained by Denis Compton. Another story about him concerned a match in Kenya in Cricket Chairman, Fixtures/Results Secretary, Dinner February 1992 north of Nairobi, close to where the film “The Secretary, General Secretary, Membership Secretary, He was match manager for XL matches at Woolwich White Mischief” was filmed. The temperature was over 100 organiser of the early Triangular Tournaments and Tours, Garrison. Bob Munn, a lifetime friend, said: “Afterwards degrees Farenheit and our opening bowlers found it difficult Life Vice President. Not all at once but no wonder he was dinner was laid on and we wore our dinner jackets. David to keep going. Eric Austin, the former Beckenham second called Mr Forty Club! usually stayed overnight.” team bowler, complained about the heat and was heard to say: “I haven’t played on a pitch like this since I was at prep David was born in Guernsey on June 16th, 1922 and was school. It’s awful.” David was the match manager and was educated at Elizabeth Çollege between ’37 and ‘42 before he very upset. He said:“You’ve let us down and I can’t allow Former chairman Michael Barton adds: “David was a Few cricketers loved the game more than our long-serving volunteered to join the Army. He left in 1959 and worked for you to continue in the match. We have a 12th man. He can first class Forty Club member and Secretary. His planning Secretary and Vice President. His passion for it once even many years for the Metal Box Company. take over. I shall report this to the Executive.” and administration were impeccable. Those of us who extended to thinking about amputating a finger because he were on Committee or at any of the cricket tournaments couldn’t wear a batting glove. John Hansell, his opening partner in the Tonbridge first Years later, Eric said: “I was relieved to get to the back to the appreciated his all-round grasp of detail and ability to team for many years, said: “He was certainly quick between pavilion under a fan. Mike Wicks was captain and after tea keep the Club flourishing as he did for so many years. “He contracted a syndrome which affected a little finger,” the wickets. There would be a loud ‘yes’ and off he went.” we started losing wickets and he wanted me to go out to bat. When Herbert Hunter was Chairman, David was always said one of the mourners attending his unique funeral at Asked if he “walked” he laughed loudly and said: “He was I swung the bat – a few boundaries followed and we won. at his elbow advising in his quiet and unobtrusive Tonbridge Cemetery Chapel on June 17th, the day after he never out.” John made the 350-mile round journey from Mike was delighted to be the first skipper to have won our manner. He was often seen but only heard when his would have been 94. ”The finger was crooked and couldn’t his home in Narborough in North Norfolk to speak at the first match on tours.” knowledge was solicited. We must remember that his tour straighten. Doctors failed to cure it but a herbalist offered service, a sign of his high regard for his older batting partner. of duty was carried out in the days of the typewriter and him some small tablets rather like the droppings of mice and In the bar afterwards Eric and I were talking to the editor telephone when the Club had nearly 3500 members. It soon it cleared up.” He said: “David never wanted to give up. He became the of the local newspaper and said: “This is a good story for was a massive task which he carried out with diligence groundsman at Tonbridge and did nearly all the work you. One of the players who plays for MCC and XL was and never a complaint. Garry Sobers was born with six fingers and it was rumoured himself but over the years several youngsters whom he disciplined today.” The editor was excited and filed it to his that he cut them off himself when he was young. It was a had helped, mainly from state schools, volunteered to newspaper. Next day the story was on the back page. As a “As Chairman I had to take him to task when he was Life myth. A surgeon performed the feat. If the doctor had kept do some of the heavy work. He took so little and gave so joke Eric phoned him up and said: “I wasn’t disciplined. I Vice-President and was still playing. He was hit in the face at the surplus fingers and donated them to Lord’s it would much to others.” In 2002 the pavilion was burnt down am seeing my lawyer.” He laughed and the editor realized it the fixture at Leys School, Cambridge and was rather miffed be the second most watched exhibit next to the Ashes. As and he played a big part in raising the money to rebuild it. was a prank. when I advised him to re-think it – ever young at heart but a well-thought-of Captain in the Royal Artillery, David Mike Wicks succeeded him as groundsman and did it for slowing with age. I believe in the end we managed to get was used to experiencing gruesome sights. He might have 25 years and now another of our members, John Simmons, Before the food and drink was served from a tent next to the rid of the same brown envelopes at the annual dinner which performed the surgery himself. has taken over. pavilion at David’s funeral, everyone was invited to join in contained the names on each table which he used every year. a toast out on the square which had a pitch prepared for the This was at the time when 500 people attended. Needless to Known as “Hammers”, he typified the Henry Grierson David joined XL on his 50th birthday in 1972 and said: “That next match. The stumps were put up and next to the batting say, although they were battered and worn they were still spirit, respecting opponents and showing goodwill. In his was a big mistake. I should have joined it on my 40th and I crease was inscribed “D. L. Hamilton.” Wendyann delivered serviceable though the table numbers were getting slightly seven decades at the crease – as a patient left-hand opening would have played many more matches for them.” a splendid short speech and everyone raised his or her glass, indistinct. It was a practice brought about by the scarcity of batsman, a wicket-keeper and a leg-break bowler – he filled by champagne. the war years and his service in the Army. always encouraged youngsters and also insisted on them Barry Aitken supplied an XL motif for the magnificent eight having good habits. page service card at the funeral – by far the best our editor If there has been a better farewell to an old cricketer than “The Forty Club has indeed been fortunate in having the has seen – and Wendyann, his eldest daughter, thanked XL in this one, well, it must be doubted. He would have been best of men in the most difficult of positions. I feel I would He only wore a helmet on one occasion, in his last season her tribute. John Widgery volunteered to speak as well and proud. The “L” is for Lihou, a small uninhabited island be right in saying David, at the time he was Secretary, was at the age of 80. He posed for pictures wearing it and said he repeated the hilarious anecdote about David which has next to Guernsey and several of his relatives have the same Mr Forty Club.”

50 51 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk DR FRED IMMS at the club and it went on a long time with friends and PETER SHORT Christopher Martin-Jenkins said of him: “He was a patient, (1936-2016) relatives relating stories about this legendary man. (1926-2015) fastidious and cautious administrator who cared deeply about the game and its players but was also blessed with a ANOTHER MIGHTY OAK OF He joined XL in 1984 and for the next two decades he A MAN OF HONOUR sense of humour.” He was a great diplomat and smoothed became a match manager, chairman of the Surrey and West over the many controversies like , the Packer THE FORTY CLUB DEPARTS Sussex district, served 15 years on the Executive Committee intrusion and various player disputes with charm. between 1990 and 2005 and chaired a Working Party to Barbados occupies just examine the club rules. He finished up as an Hon. Fellow. 166 square miles but it has Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, son of a British army Lt- produced the greatest all- Colonel, he gained a Commission in his father’s regiment, The Leatherhead Crematorium on 23 August was He went on a number of XL tours, to South Africa, Australia round cricketer of all time, the Royal Berkshire, and started his first class career in crammed and another room adjoining was filled with (twice), Argentina, Namibia and the Far East. “He enjoyed Garry Sobers, arguably the 1947, captaining Derbyshire and Oxford University. He celebrants of Fred’s life watching the television coverage them so much, particularly Namibia,” said Val. best international captain scored 10,257 runs at an average of 26.61 and took 328 of the funeral. Unlike David Hamilton’s funeral, his name in Frank Worrell and the wickets for 34.74 with his slow left-arm bowling. He played wasn’t painted on the wicket at Dorking, his cricket club, He first contracted cancer in the 1980s and shook it off finest administrator in Peter two Tests in India and was best known for the Idris Baig but it was indelibly written in everyone’s heart who knew and four years ago he nearly died through another illness. Desmond Bowen Short, affair while captaining an MCC A side in Pakistan in 1955- him. No one could have forgotten him. “Fantastically he carried on life and we wondered would OBE, SCM and JP. 6. Abdul Kardar appeared with him in the Oxford side whether he’d ever reach 80,” said Val. “But he did…. just. and once joked that Kardar’s nickname “The Mystic of the He was born on March 23, 1936 in Canterbury, and his He went on to added time, another four months.” He managed several tours to Britain and joined XL in East” was mistranslated as “the Mistake of the East.” father worked on a farm and his wife worked in service. 1969. He died in August 2015 aged 89 and most of his From these humble circumstances he won a scholarship In mid-summer he was admitted to the Epsom General friends in the UK, including our editor, didn’t know he The English players thought Baig made a lot of mistakes in to Maidstone School and went on to study at University Hospital but rallied and was allowed home. Most years he had departed until six months later. He swam almost the third unofficial Test in Peshawar and Carr and two other College Hospital, wrote a much-praised PHD, and was attended the Lord’s Test match and this year’s turned out daily in the sea – it’s warm throughout the year there – players invited him to come to their room for a drink. They appointed a lecturer at St. Thomas’s Hospital in 1962. He to be his last. The family arranged a space on the terrace in and that probably accounted for his longevity. sat him down and someone tipped a bucket of water over preferred academia to medicine and inspired a countless front of the pavilion for him and Val, and Andrew who read him. The umpire took it as a joke but the prickly Kardar number of doctors to take up the profession until he the hilarious eulogy for the funeral, accompanied him. “It He was an opening batsman and skipper for the complained and MCC offered to cancel the tour. Carr took retired from his post of Senior Lecturer in Physiology at was fabulous,” said Val, “`but when we got home he felt Wanderers CC, was President of the Barbados Cricket full responsibility and his international career was abruptly St. Thomas’ Medical School at the age of 65. tired and next day he went back to hospital.” He died 12 Association between ’73 and ’93, secretary of the West ended. Three years later he scored 2,292 runs and was made days later. Indies Board, and as a wonderful diplomat, he managed one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. In his article But his real love – next to Val and their family – was to talk Brian Lara back into the West Indies team in 1995. Norman Preston, the editor, dismissed the Baig soaking in firstly cricket, then rugby where injury ended his playing Most of his work was unpaid. With his bushy moustache just three words – “an unfortunate episode.” days and he became a referee. Val said: “He started JACK HYDE BLAKE and broad smile, he was known as “the Captain.” playing cricket at school and he said he was a fast bowler. (1935-2016) He was also a talented footballer and played two FA Well, that’s what he said but I think he was probably not Born in Trinidad in 1926, he served as a captain in World amateur Cup finals for Pegasus in 1951 and 1953. so fast.” A CONSCIENTOUS War II in England and Malaysia where he made countless friends and he was mentioned in Dispatches. He resigned Dorking was his first and only club side and he was CHAIRMAN his commission in 1957. ANDREW JENNER involved for most of his life. He played until his fifties, MARRIED TO CRICKET umpired, was fixture secretary, organiser and Life Vice- A huge number of great West Indian cricketers attended President. The family invited everyone to the reception Born in 1935, Jack joined the Forty Club in June 1980. He his funeral and one of his best friends was , also was a member of MCC and the Stragglers of Asia. A regarded as the best all-round radio and TV commentator, qualified umpire, he was voted on to the Finance Committee writer and editor in the cricketing world. Eleven months Andrew Jenner, an XL member in 1990 and subsequently became Chairman of the Finance later Tony left us. They presided over a squad of West since 1994, was, according Committee in 1993, a position he held for eight years. Indian stars who ruled the world for 15 years and since to his many friends, married the Captain went into retirement, Caribbean cricket to cricket and suddenly died Meetings of the Finance Committee were usually held at careered downwards, still yet to re-emerge. at the age of 71 in February. his office in Savile Row and generally involved a couple He was a bachelor who was of bottles of good claret! He was committed rather than never seriously ill, except from committeed and was an avid supporter of all things XL. He DONALD BRYCE CARR a fall three weeks before he was always eager to move the Club forward and he was (1926-2016) was found dead in his home. ever the gentleman. He was known as “Jungle” a A GREAT DIPLOMAT reference to a pair of gaudy yellow and green trousers he He was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee in wore on one of his many tours abroad. He started out as a 2000 and stayed in the post for five years after which he batsman in Essex and at six feet six inches tall, he switched “retired” to his home in Portugal. He never lost interest Don Carr was one of the Club’s longest-serving members. to and was successful in both skills. An in Club activities and often flew to London to attend the He joined up in 1967 but never played a game. He was too accountant, he was still playing in over 60s and held many annual dinner. For his services to the Club he was elected busy devoting his life to administrating English cricket as administrative positions. an Honorary Fellow in 201l. There was a memorial assistant secretary of MCC (1963-76), secretary to the ICC David Laudy, Bob Munn, Fred Imms, Mike Barton, Chris Bazalgette and Peter service held in Portugal on April 29th. and Test and County Cricket Board (1976-86), as an ICC ERIC JAMES (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CCC) was born Bown, XL Hon. Fellows Referee, and as a member of various other cricket boards. on August 17, 1925, and played 125 first class matches

52 53 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk for Notts between 1949-59 and scored 4086 runs for an was carrying out his duties right up until a day or two before average of 22.82. He was born at Lambley, a village of he died.” 1,276 inhabitants, near Nottingham, and died there on 108 MEDICAL CHAMBERS October 1, 2015. He joined XL in 1975. His close friend David White said he needed a skin graft on a shin after being hit by the ball while umpiring in 2005. In 2010 JOHN HIGSON, aged 87, joined XL in 1969 and played a he collided with a fielder at Mumbles and suffered a fractured is delighted to support the XL Club prominent part in the fortunes of Gloucestershire. He was femur. “He went down like a sack of potatoes,” said David, chairman from 1996-2001 and in that time they won five “and he was carried off in the back of Paul Kenealy’s van but limited overs trophies. He was instrumental in obtaining insisted he had tea before going to hospital.” For the players World Cup matches for Bristol in 1999. Trevor was born in 1942, grew up in Guildford, worked for The London Sports Injury Clinic – Specialist sports WILFRID WELD was a former Army officer who partnered the Admiralty in Bath as a civil servant, went on to work at English Heritage to restore Lulworth Castle, which was the Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell and helped set up doctor and physio to keep you out in the middle gutted by fire in 1929. When it reopened in 1998 it had its own the DVLA at Swansea as an auditor before retiring at the age cricket ground. He joined Hampshire, played only once in the of 55. The Gilmore Groin and Hernia Clinic – second team in 1973 and later played a big part in the move to MEDICAL the Ageas Bowl as President. He joined XL in 1974. He was 87. The original clinic for the treatment of groin pain and also herniae of all types CHAMBERS TREVOR JONES, aged 74, joined XL in 2002 as a Life 108 HARLEY STREET Member and was highly regarded as the umpire and scorer “You don’t have to be an elite athlete to be treated like one” for the Wales District. Chris Hudson, the former Wales LONDON WIG 7ET captain, said of him: “He was a cricket man who devoted his life to cricket. He umpired in the Wales league, strongly For the supporters contributed to cricket administration and supported junior cricket by umpiring and being on the committee of the To look after the “off the field” parts of your life South Wales Junior Cricket League and was presented with a lifetime award. When he stopped umpiring he scored The London Breast Clinic – investigation and treatment of breast for Pontardawe. While in hospital for a lot of last year he continued as assistant secretary of the South Wales CA and Trevor needed an injection of morphine after being knocked over at the Mumbles match problems. Discounted breast screening for XL family members The London Skin Clinic – assessment and treatment for suspicious MEMBERS PASSING moles and lesions as well as general dermatological conditions

We deeply regret to record the death of the following members during the past year. The London Rectal Clinic – expert opinion and treatment of colo- The date after each name denotes year of election rectal conditions from haemorrhoids through to inflammatory

AMPS, M.J. 1973 JONES, T. 2002 bowel disease BAILEY, J.D.W., Capt 1968 KERR, J.R. 1994 BRANSCOMBE, D.R. 1980 KINCAID, J.W.M., Brig. (Ret’d) CBE 2003 The London Thyroid and ENT Clinic – assessment and treatment BRANGER, J.D. (Belgium) 1992 LAWTON, J.A. 1988 of all thyroid and general ENT conditions CALVERLEY, D.M. 1997 MARTIN, E.J. 1975 DILLAM, A. 1995 MORRIS, A.R. (Australia) 1953 We hope that you are able to travel to see us if the need arises, but if FARNDON, A.G. 2012 OSBORNE, D.F. 1979 London is too far we may be able to recommend an expert local to you. FREEDMAN, J.D. 1965 PARKER, A.G. 1972 GARRARD, J.I. 1972 ROYLE, G.C. 1969 For this and any other queries please email [email protected] HALFHEAD, R.D. 1984 SHARPE, P.J. 1977 HAMILTON. D.L. 1972 SHORT, P.D.B. (W. Indies) 1969 The Home of HIGSON, J.C. 1969 TERRY, C. 1983 HYDE BLAKE, J.F. (Portugal) 1980 TRAFFORD, I.N. 1979 IMMS, F.J. Dr., MBBS.,PhD.. 1984 WELD, W.J. 1974 JENNER, A. 1994 WILLIAMS, K.M. 1986 JONES, C.I.McM. 1975 WILLIAMS, M.D.R. 1985 Telephone Email Web 020 7563 1234 [email protected] www.108harleystreet.co.uk 54 The Forty Club 20162017 Handbook Peter Mason has provided this lovely picture of interested deer watching the Forty Club taking on the Belton Park Colts in the Belton Park, near Grantham. Deer proliferated in that part of the country from the 15th century and when Sir John Brownlow built the Grade 1 country house between 1685 and 1688 an area of 750 acres out of the 1,350 acre estate was reserved for deer. Over the years his family planted 21,400 ash trees, 9,500 oaks and 614 fruit trees. One of their descendants offered the use of the property to the War Office in World War 1 and it housed troops until the end of the war in 1918. It was also used by the RAF in World War II. The National Trust took it over in 1984 and is one of the most popular country estates in the .