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Home , Alan Wells, Alex Davies (cricketer), Alf Gover, Dean Headley, Franklyn Stephenson, George Allen (cricketer)

Inspiring cricketers to enjoy a lifelong love of

2018 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 and CA Fry.

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

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, DL Underwood MBE, Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth DL, Sir and Group GP Carson.

Officers of the club

Chairman PW Fawkner-Corbett [email protected]

Hon Secretary Hon Treasurer Hon Fixtures Secretary Hon Membership Barry Aitken Stephen Kelly Tony Fare Secretary 07785 543901 07875 330842 07535 624869 Mrs Paddy Gaywood [email protected] stephen.kelly2018@ [email protected] 01474 702106 btinternet.com [email protected]

Curator of WG Grace’s Grave Howard Smith – [email protected]

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (The Officers of the Club plus) PA Mason, C Neill, DP Owens, JM Roberts, RAJ Walton and ID Witchell.

Dinner Committee Chairman TR Woodcock – [email protected]

Key Personnel and Services

Cricket MANAGER Cricket Tours HON Secretary, John Sharples Hasan Jafri - 07882 635228 XL Golfing Society 0161 799 9939 syed.hasan@ Peter Crowcroft Johnsharples1819@ ajsportstours.com 020 8568 1140 hotmail.com Rob Nelson - 07710 602866 [email protected] [email protected]

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

Website: www.thefortyclub.co.uk; Facebook: www.facebook.com/fortyclubcricket; Club shop: Morrants, Sunil Jajodia – [email protected]

Front Cover: The Forty Club spreading the word in St John’s College, Jaffna, in . 3 www.thefortyclub.co.uk SPREADING KEEPING THE SPIRIT CRICKET OF CRICKET RELEVANT

The Forty Club season and business of 2017 What a joy and privilege it is for Forty Club members concluded with a splendidly successful Annual to have the opportunity to play cricket year after year Dinner at the Kia Oval. The AGM was held in against so many schools the length and breadth of the advance of the Dinner and marked the completion country. In so doing, the Club has the chance to spread of my first year in office as your Chairman. There amongst the young, and within the competitive cut has been much to take on board in the progress and thrust of the game, the spirit of happiness and of management of the Club and the setting and fulfilment which perhaps only a game of cricket can achieving of the aspirations of the Membership and give; something with which the young can be inspired the Executive Committee. and take with them as they move forward to tackle life’s rich tapestry of challenges. In short, the Forty As a wandering Club we are indebted to the District Club and its members make a positive difference to so Chairmen and Match Managers across the 12 Districts many of the young with whom they play cricket. for ensuring that, wherever possible, we fulfil our very extensive fixture list from north to south and And with this privilege of playing on some of the east to west of England, Wales and Scotland. In most beautiful grounds in the country comes addition to the regular fixture list, the range of Forty responsibility. Every time we take the field, we Club Tours, as well as competing in the Quadrangular make an impression upon the young and set Tournament, provides a richness of opportunity that As senior individuals in our respective trades we something of an example to minds which, openly and may be considered unique in the cricket world. are very aware that those who bring much to the subconsciously, like sponges absorb events which workplace are those who have a broad perspective may have a profound effect upon their futures and The remarkable ability of the game of cricket to linked with an ability to take time out of the possibly even the way they lead their lives. bring communities together and the building of workplace. Might I suggest that as members of the bridges across divided societies is to be so admired. Forty Club we are well placed to promote these All who love and play the game, and especially the The cricketing successes in Afghanistan are well aspirations – maybe more so than focusing on experienced and well-travelled members of the Forty is where the Forty Club comes in and plays its part as documented, and the endeavour to unite the factions promoting the game within a peer group? Club, will be aware that standards of behaviour have it always has done to safeguard a game much loved within are most exciting. The development for some years been time been deteriorating, with by our members and opponents. Those things we love of the game in unexpected areas – I am thinking As this Yearbook was heading to print we held a some league and club cricket particularly affected. should always be cherished and respected. of Germany here – demonstrates the appeal of this whole day enabling group workshop within the Forty Outside the independent sector, it has been hard excellent recreational pastime. Club membership to form a thinktank to review the to imbue, as an essential part of education, the As a club we share the almost unique distinction Club with the specific brief of ‘what is the vision, young with the spirit for competition within a stable of combining one of the most extensive and varied What is evident is that on the home front there is purpose and expectation of the Forty Club over the framework from which cricket can be enjoyed. fixture cards with some of the most experienced much to do to maintain the appeal and involvement in next five to ten years’. We, that is the membership cricketers in the country. As a , we are in a the game in the UK. Another area for reflection is the of the Forty Club, need to make a greater proactive MCC, guardians of the game’s laws, have for years strong position to set a shining example to the young national decline in participation in team sports and commitment to our game and continue to strive to been aware of this trend and have now, with some of how best to play the game and derive happiness, access to all aspects of the benefits of relationship increase the awareness of our Club to those outside reluctance, but in recognition of these deteriorating joy and great fulfilment from it and so, above all, to evolution generated in team sport involvement. We as and promote the participation of young people in standards, decided to strengthen the hand of umpires ensure that future generations can do the same. the Forty Club have a national presence and one that sport for all the wellbeing and engagement in the who, with the cooperation of captains and of course we can use to good effect. route to the future workplace. players, will have the power to administer immediate Thanks so much to all of you for contributing so sanctions upon players who cross the line from natural wonderfully each year to this club and long may My main driver at this point in time is maintaining a Wishing you all an excellent 2018 and thank you for and desired competitiveness to behaviour which this continue. conversation with the leaders in education for the need your ongoing support. harms and spoils the game. These are changes which, for balance in the school curriculum that amongst many whilst hardly welcome in the broader sense, are potential fields cricket can provide. Through a balanced clearly necessary to preserve the future integrity of perspective of outlook the wellbeing of pupils, both PHILIP FAWKNER-CORBETT the game and especially the happiness and joy it can from a mental perspective and in terms of general FORTY CLUB CHAIRMAN bring to the younger generation – and this of course fitness, can be promoted.

4 5 The Forty Club 2017 Handbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk are likely to be Cricket, Finance, People, Commercial and THE YEAR IN Technology. When the details of these are agreed, we shall HALL OF FAME be in a position to set out Our Impact – ie what do we intend to achieve by “inspiring cricketers to enjoy a lifelong District Player Achievement Opposition REVIEW love of cricket?”

The Golfing Society was very active in 2017, with 41 fixtures WA S Holliday 159 Welsh Colleges From Scotland to Somerset and to we have played and 2 meetings. 12 matches were won, 8 halved, 18 lost and NW C Perren 156* NW v WA some 192 cricket fixtures. We won 53, drew 25, and lost 55 3 cancelled due to the weather. The tours to Scotland and EC J Keys 136 Loughton CC games. 54 were cancelled, 3 abandoned and 2 tied. the Kent coast were enjoyed by all who toured; there was a S C Graham 126 Dauntsey wonderful weekend with The Windcheaters at Royal County WE I Thomas 123 Colston’s School The cancellations figure is alarmingly high but when Down, a reinstated once-regular visit to Moortown to play SX W Moore 120 SX v CP we break it down, 33 were kiboshed by the weather; 9 against an XL Club Yorkshire team as well as a team styling SO M Ruffell 118 Winchester College cancelled by the opposition who could not raise a side; 8 itself as MCC (North) at Fixby GC – both very enjoyable EC J Woods 106 Wesley College Old Boys XI by XL for the same reason; 2 were called off mutually by days. On the way north there was a match against the Notts WA M Cox 101* WA v WM both sides because they could not find enough players; 3 and East Midlands XL at Holinwell GC, kindly organised by WA K Bartle 100* WA v WM because the School got the wrong date, there was no third XL member and current Chairman of Notts CCC Richard NW D Welbourne 101 QEGS party pitch available or the ground was not fit for play. Tennant. Richard also organised tickets to attend the ODI NW P Deakin 100 QEGS against the Windies at on the way home but In addition we played 5 fixtures in the Inter District growing attendance: the numbers playing ladies cricket sadly was unable to take care of the weather as there were Tournament; we would have played MCC but for the are increasing daily, and the popularity of seniors cricket only 2.2 overs of play! weather; we played 6 matches in the Quadrangular is growing fast – but the participation in the 18 to 35 age SC N Hussain 6-3-6-6 The High School of Glasgow Tournament in Holland and we played 2 in Luxembourg. bracket is falling fast. Interest, motivation and participation On the personnel front we have said farewell to John CP C Hayward 8-3-6-6 Dover College There were a further two internal district matches played – are all declining – and this will undoubtedly affect the Forty Sharples, Robert Smith and Steve Dellow as chairmen of WM O Jones 6-0-21-6 Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School between East and West Wales, and between East and West Club’s cricket ambitions. Fewer schools are opting for all- North West, Eastern Counties and West Midlands districts CP D Steele 13-0-94-6 Streatham & Malborough CC Scotland for the Jinglis Trophy. day cricket and a number ask if we can only play a 30 or respectively and thank them warmly for their fantastic SC G Hadden 6-2-4-5 Gordonstoun 35 over game. Many schools are cutting their fixtures card. contribution. We also say farewell to Peter Owens who has NW M Adrian 11-3-28-5 Neston CC In the spring we ventured to Barbados and played 7 Fewer clubs are able to field teams midweek. been the Cricket Coordinator for the past 6 years. In their SX J R Reeve 9-0-34-5 St John’s Leatherhead matches and in the autumn we travelled to Dubai for a places we welcome 3 new district chairmen – Phil Deakin WA M J Turner 8-0-58-5 Llandovery College further 7. All this adds up to some 223 fixtures which were It is not my intention here to offer solutions to the woes of in the North West; Nigel Buckingham-Jones in Eastern organised for the benefit of our members in the 2017 English cricket but simply to reiterate that if we in the Forty Counties and Andy Robertson in the West Midlands calendar year. Club always play the best cricket we can, in the best way district: we wish them all well. We also welcome John expected of us, we can hope to hang on to fixtures. Sharples as the new Cricket Manager. I haven’t mentioned the weekend trip to Lanzarote that some of the guys put together for a further 2 games, nor the As the cricket environment around us is changing, we Another retiree is Peter Rebera, our Treasurer, who has HALL OF SHAME February 2018 tour to Sri Lanka! In my view all this adds up have started to take a hard look at what we do, why we decided to spend more time with his family. Thank you Peter to a tremendous catalogue of cricket opportunities for our do it, and why we do it the way we do it. At a workshop for all you have done in trying to keep our finances on a members and deserves massive congratulations for those in January 2018 with invited members from around the stable keel and in good shape. Peter has been succeeded by As we go to print, the global cricket community has been who organise it. Club, and expertly facilitated by Colin Neill, we started out Stephen Kelly, whom we welcome. rocked by the discovery and admission of ball-tampering by by trying to define “the purpose of the Forty Club”. It was the Australian team on March 24th during their Test match Let’s applaud the achievements of the batters and the finally settled and agreed as: Last, and by no means least in this valedictory list, we said with . Skipper and vice captain David bowlers. Half centuries were reached 172 times, and there farewell to Ian Witchell as the Chair of the Dinner Committee. Warner have ‘stood down’ and Cricket Australia has initiated were 19 centuries scored, with Simon Halliday top-scoring “Inspiring cricketers to enjoy a lifelong love of cricket.” All of us who have enjoyed Forty Club dinners over the a major investigation. The Australian media is buzzing with with 159 in the Welsh Colleges match. There were 2 other last 10 years are very grateful to Ian. His successor is Tim strong words and their politicians have entered the fray to scores over 130. Jon Thornton scored well over 1000 XL From there we have moved on to define our vision “to be Woodcock and we wish Tim every success in this stressful express their disgust. In the words of the Australian PM ‘All runs in the calendar year and was rewarded accordingly at the destination of choice for those players and teams that and demanding appointment! our cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous the annual dinner! want to play cricket to the highest standards of ability with fair play. How can our team be engaged in cheating like and behaviour.” Finally as Secretary may I thank on your behalf, and this? It beggars belief”. He has had a “frank discussion” with Five or more were achieved by our bowlers nine personally, all the Officers, District Chairmen, key post holders CA chairman David Peever about the matter, “[expressing] to times. Almost the best achievement was by Cliff Hayward Next we set out our five values: and match managers who volunteer and who do so much him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and the DC of Kent/East Sussex who took 6 for 6 in 8 overs 1 Our Members Matter; to keep this Club alive and ticking. Some of these tasks are my concern about the events in South Africa. I have to say against Dover College. But this was just eclipsed by Naveed 2 Our Opponents Matter; becoming more challenging by the day and it is to their great that for the whole nation – who holds those who wear the Hussain, who achieved the same fantastic figures in only six 3 Quality Cricket; credit that they stick to it and seek no reward save that of baggy green up on a pedestal about as high as you can get in overs in the High School of Glasgow match. 4 Proud of our Achievements; knowing that their Club is a success and that its members Australia – this is a shocking disappointment. I look forward to 5 Ambitious for the Future. are delighted with what we are achieving. CA taking decisive action soon”. So say all of us. The future for social and league cricket generally across the UK is giving cause for concern. The introduction Now we have begun work on the Executive Committee’s BARRY AITKEN and training programmes for the young are enjoying a main priorities for the years 2018 to 2023. The main areas HONORARY SECRETARY

6 7 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk PASSING THE HATS OFF TO ANYA BATON EARLY SIGHTER FOR The Club’s financial position remains stable, supported by the increase to the annual subscription amount a couple of years OUR CHAIRMAN ago. The advertising initiative introduced in 2015 continues to generate income, though much less than previously; and notwithstanding the many fine games and performances Philip Fawkner-Corbett, our chairman, remembers playing enjoyed throughout the season, poor weather has again in a match involving Anya. He said: “Twelve years ago, reduced income from match fees. when Anya would have been 14 or so, Bath CC had a colts fixture against Millfield. It was a boys’ fixture, but with As in previous years, poor attendance meant the Club had to Anya playing in the Bath team on merit. Late in the make a sizeable contribution towards the overall cost of the she went in to bat and was summarily hit on the helmet annual dinner event. The Dinner Committee puts a great deal by a short-pitched ball from a brisk fast bowler. The of time and effort into organising this event, which is always Bath players were incensed and remonstrated that such a showpiece for the club and greatly enjoyed by those who an action might have resulted in injury. Not Anya – she attend. Unfortunately, failure to attract enough attendees considered that she was in the side on merit and therefore this year could jeopardise the event. It is had to deal adequately with short, . She would not sustainable for the Club to subsidise Balance sheet as at 30 September 2017 Notes 2017 2016 not accept any recrimination and took her stance at the consistently loss-making annual events. £ £ Who was the English professional cricketer who made crease to face the next ball. I realised that she had the Current assets the biggest, and most sporting, impact last summer? ability to compete at the highest level of the game.” Phil, As I am standing down this year, I would Jimmy Anderson, who became the first Englishman to by the way, has a proud boast about the late 19th Advance payments 1(a) 4,000 - like to introduce Stephen Kelly (pictured take 500 Test wickets at Lord’s? Not really, despite his Bath stone house where he has lived for most of his life Lloyds Bank Plc: General No1 account 2,577 11,854 right), to whom I am passing on the extraordinary feats. He spent too much time arguing with – “Sir Vivian Richards lodged here when he played for Treasurer’s baton. I am sure that he will General No2 account 24,494 15,541 the in the Lord’s Test against the West Indies. Lansdown in 1972 and 1973, hitting an awful lot of sixes.” strengthen our financial standing and so Dinner Reserve account 993 3,270 enable the Club to play an even greater 32,064 30,665 Our editor has plumped for , England’s Our Editor up with Anya at the Cowdrey role in promoting cricket. matchwinner in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup Lecture and asked her how she managed to turn round at Lord’s earlier in the season, watched by 200m cricket the women’s final at Lord’s when India needed 47 off 48 Less: Current liabilities I would like to thank the district chairmen, lovers around the world. On September 9 she won the balls with seven wickets remaining. Her burst of 5-11 in 18 the executive committee, and all those Advance receipts 1(b) 912 3,189 2017 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award. balls would have had applauding. She said: who have helped me throughout the Net current assets 31,152 27,476 Chris was a long-time member of the Forty Club and the “The pressure had been on England but now it came off season. Particular thanks go to the presentation came from Judy, his widow. us and we decided to put the pressure on the Indians. I auditors Celeste and Ian who again Representing: concentrated on bowling just two balls, the yorker and completed their task in good time to General fund/accounts Anya was born in Bath on December 7, 1991 and her father the straight one, and it worked. It came from our mental make the accounts ready for the AGM. Balance brought forward 27,395 25,142 Ian, who played in two matches for Wiltshire, coached strength.” Asked if she remembered playing with Phil she her from a young age. She made her debut for Somerset said: “The name is familiar but I don’t remember. These (Deficit) / surplus for the year (page 4) 3,676 (247) Thank you all and good luck, Women at the age of 12. games keep rolling on and you forget matches.” Transfer (to)/from Dinner fund (4,000) 2,500 PETER REBERA MCC President said: “MCC works , England’s -keeper, was on the Brian HONORARY TREASURER 27,071 27,395 tremendously hard at promoting the Spirit of Cricket at all Lara panel and Mark Nicholas, the compère, asked him if levels along with the ‘Play hard, play fair” message and it mental strength is part of the men’s team. “I don’t know Stephen Kelly is the new Treasurer for the Forty Dinner reserve fund/account is entirely appropriate that the actions of players like Anya about that,” he said, “but some of us are on the edge. It’s Club. Stephen has been a non-playing member of Balance brought forward 3,270 10,764 are rewarded.” part of the game.” Meaning, of course, sledging. Mark put the Forty Club for ten years and has played an active Surplus / (deficit) for the year (page 5) - (1,437) that question to Anya: “Do women sledge?” She replied: role in arranging and developing the ‘famous’ North The England women’s team also won the Team Award in “No, the object is to enjoy playing the game.” Transfer (to)/from General fund 4,000 (2,500) West District Golf Day. Stephen is a passionate cricket the BBC Sports Personality of the Year last December and Movement on Advances and Receipts (6,277) (3,557) fan and is a member of CCC. He’s also Anya was ninth in the list for the Sports Personality of the Jonny had to be reprimanded by ECB’s Director of Cricket a member of the XL Golf Society. During his career 993 3,270 Year, won by Sir Mo Farah. after the Brisbane Test when he greeted in banking and finance Stephen has held senior Cameron Bancroft, the new Australian opener, with a positions in various global banking and financial The new code of Laws of Cricket, which came into gentle headbutt in a bar in Perth when the England party institutions including Lombard NatWest, HSBC, GE Advances and Receipts 2 3,088 (3,189) effect on October 1, set out what is expected in terms of arrived on the first day of the tour. Both he and Bancroft Capital, Rabobank and CIT. Net current assets 31,152 27,476 behaviour, such as congratulating and thanking opponents agreed it was one of his jokes that went awry: it was too and respecting all those involved in the game. close to the edge.

8 9 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk MASON CRANE HAS LIFT OFF have great determination and belief. He was very competitive which is what you want. But he didn’t go over the top. We need more more bowlers of that How many of our members were bowled first ball by a type now Stokes has blown it.” current England legspin and googly bowler? Well there is one – Willie Bone from the Kent and East Sussex Another Forty Club member, Mike Vimpany of the District. Five years ago he came in for an XL side at the South District, who has played against him several score of 27-1 at Lancing College. As he took guard, he times and couldn’t read his googly, said “I wasn’t able noticed a slip of a young lad – he was actually fifteen – to stop his killer ball. It bounced far too much. He’s a was confidently summoning up four close in fielders. lovely lad and enjoys a bit of banter on the field.” Mason was on the Sussex books but his banter didn’t Willie said ‘his first ball pitched outside leg and suit their coaches and he joined Hampshire. turned more than a foot and bowled me.” It was almost a moment, reminiscent of the Nick, Mason’s father, now lives close to the ground Australian record holder who bowled at and said “I’ve never played cricket myself so I don’t Old Trafford in 1993. Within an hour XL were bowled know where his talent comes from – he’s a natural.” out for 42 with Mason having incredible figures of 9.2- 4-11-8. Ron Hart was one of his victims. “He turned it Most of the commentators praised Mason’s debut square both ways,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything for England in the Sydney Test despite his bowling like it.” figures – 48-3-193- – being the costliest debut of any England debutant. The temperature reached 42C on As the current Ashes series in Australia was about the final day and he was the only England bowler to start we asked Willie what he thought of Mason who gave the impression that he really wanted to now and this is what he said: “I remember the match keep on bowling. Sadly, he had to return home in well. It is an amazing rise to the top. Usually young March from the New Zealand tour as he needs back leg spinners lose it as they get older so he must surgery, which will keep him out for some time.

Picture: Clare Skinner, MCC

TAMMY TAKES UP THE BATON the Australian Open. Reece was a prolific wicket-taker for the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk against the Forty Club. (far right) is becoming a worthy successor to two great Englishwomen who led the way, Any XL players who played against 26-year-old Tammy both of whom sadly died last year. Rachael Heyhoe- when she was in her teens – there must be some – Flint, who was a great supporter of XL, passed away on would have been proud on July 3 when she was voted January 18 and Jan Brittin, aged 58, died on September 11. the Player of the Tournament in the ICC Women’s World Cup at Lord’s. She scored 419 runs, the highest, and it Six of the 15 players who played in series couldn’t have happened to a nicer young lady. have connections with the Forty Club – Tammy, Anya, and three from Brighton College – The joker of England’s squad of 15 – she does the “fines” , and . They – she was on most front pages of the newspapers next are examples of players who have graduated to the top day and on TV and radio, always smiling. Ten years after facing our bowlers. ago she was a tiny fresh-faced girl who batted down the order and was a cautious batsmen. Helped by her Meanwhile, four county cricketers who have played parents and latterly by Yorkshireman Mark Robinson, against the Forty Club – , Alex Davies, the squad’s coach, she now hits the ball almost as hard and Matthew Parkinson of Lancashire, and Mason Crane as most men. Robinson has told them to go down the of Hampshire – were selected for the England Lions, wicket to hit out against slow bowlers and the scoring the second Xl of England, to tour Jamaica and Antigua rate, including hers, has zoomed up. between February 5 and March 11. Now she appears on television, says all the right would have been with the Lions squad things, and comes across as a natural. Her Christian but for a series of spinal fractures. He was in Australia name Tamsin has been shortened to “Tambo” and training to be fit for Hampshire this season and another nickname is “Little Mitts” because she has spending time with his girlfriend, Elina Svitolina, the small hands. No matter: she has grabbed the limelight world number four tennis star, who was competing in with both of them.

10 11 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk HARRY BROOK ON HIS THE MAN WHO BROUGHT OUR PROUD 83-YEAR OLD and my best performance was at Dean Court where Hampshire used to play before the ground was sold. I WAY UP AND DOWN HOPE FOR WEST INDIES OPENING BOWLER played there for seven seasons. CRICKET “The most enjoyable match last season for the Forty Two years ago Richard Evans, our former cricket Club was at Reddams School when I had figures of 6-4- manager, forecast that Harry Cherrington Brook, born 3-2 coming on at first change. However, we lost.” in Keighley on February 22, 1999, would become , , and an England star. Brook played for Sedbergh School many more all said the once proud West Indies were Les was finance officer of Forte Trusthouses which against XL in 2016, scoring a fine 132. Richard was irretrievably damaged, doomed to be relegated to took him around the south, enabling him to play for right of course. a second division, after the Lord’s Test. Before the The Mote CC and Buckley Town near Oxford and he Headingley Test skipper texted his retired at the age of 57. Granada bought up Forte and After making his debut for Yorkshire last year Brook players one word: “Believe.” they weren’t interested in hotels. Instead they asset- captained the England under 19 team in an ODI series stripped the company. in India. Last January he kept his post for England Whether that helped to turn things round is up for U19s in the ICC World under 19 Championship out in debate but the man responsible for ’s We asked Les if he felt in danger facing these batsmen New Zealand. Primarily a top order batsman, he also emergence from almost obscurity was , wielding heavy bats? “I’ve only been hit once. A couple bowls medium pace. In England’s second match of the former England and Sussex batsman and Head of years ago a batsman drove the ball hard at me and it the tournament in Tauranga he made an unbeaten of Cricket at Bedes School, one of our regular Forty caught me on the right side of my chest. A glancing blow century against Bangladesh. In the quarter-final in Club opponents. luckily. If I had ducked it would have hit the umpire.” Queenstown he was bowled first ball by a googly from Australia’s 18-year-old, floppy, ginger haired legspinner Each year Bedes gives a two-year sixth form He has five children, three boys and two girls. The boys Lloyd Pope who had record figures of 8-35. From 47-1, scholarship to a promising young Barbadian cricketer served in the Army, all engineers with one making England collapsed to 97 and lost by 31 runs. Observers and Shai spent two years, 2011 and 2012, at the Sussex Colonel, mainly based in Germany. They all played reckoned that the England team threw it away, with school. Recognising his leadership qualities, Wells cricket in their youth. minds focussing on celebration rather than ensuring appointed him first team captain. a victory. In the match at Wimborne last season Les showed he Alan said: “What hit me was his passion, his enjoyment could still quite fast when he had to chase a ball Before the final game against New Zealand, Brook for the game, and his determination to improve. He is a towards deep fine leg. He was also pleased about bowling was dropped for a minor disciplinary matter. England lovely person and we saw the potential in him. When he four maidens in his eight overs. His main asset is his lost the match and finished 7th in the tournament, arrived, he was a slight young lad but we knew he would This is Les Loader, who completed his 69th year of accuracy. “I’m not looking to retire yet,” he said. We wish though Brook averaged 119. have a good chance of fulfilling his potential. He would playing continuous cricket last season and reckons he him well. On to his 75th year of non-stop cricket. have intense net sessions and when I asked him what he has played up to 3,500 matches. He was a late starter wanted that day he would say ‘I never want to get out’. with XL – he joined at the age of 70 in 2004. Les was a first cousin of Peter Loader (1929-2011), a STILL hostile, fast bowler for Surrey and Western Australia. “He was outstanding and left a legacy in Sussex Les was born in Reading in 1934. He opened the Loader’s third hat trick was taken when he took 6-36 WHEELING AWAY schools cricket. I remember one game at Ardingly bowling for a number of clubs and does it occasionally for England against the West Indies in 1957, the 12th hat College when he was up against Abidine Sakande these days for one of the Sherborne lower teams and trick in Tests. He passed 100 wickets in seven seasons who was playing for England U19s. Shai didn’t think he the Forty Club. “The best thing anyone can want in life with Surrey and , possibly England’s Heartening news for all 40-year-old cricketers who are was quick and kept whacking him over the trees for is to step out on a cricket ground looking forward to a fastest ever bowler, reckoned he had a kink in his thinking of retiring: don’t, says the Kent all-rounder six. He scored a brilliant 170. He is a massively strong game of cricket,” he said. “I started playing at Henley bowling action which gave rise to thinking he was a Darren Stevens. Having just completed 20 years as a character, very determined and you couldn’t find a Grammar School, now Henley College, and I’ve always chucker although he wasn’t really. county cricketer – he’s one of the last of the breed – better role model.” bowled medium fast. With my low action, I can swing Darren Stevens intends to keep going as long as he can. it when the ball is hard. I used to field at short leg but In 1963 he migrated to Western Australia and played Shai started the Headingley Test with a Test average of these days I’m either at mid-on or fine leg. for the State and when he retired he had several He told Jonathan Liew of the Daily Telegraph “I just 18.61 but his two innings of 147 and 118, soon changed all seasons as an umpire. He finished up as a broadcaster want to play until I stop enjoying it. You can talk that and lifted the hearts of true cricket fans around the “I’ve always been reasonably fit, doing long distance and successful businessman. He died at the age of 81 about scoring runs and winning games but the thing world. Facially, he looks a bit like Brian Lara, but maybe skiing when I was younger. I’ve taken two hat tricks at Perth. that is keeping me going is enjoyment. The beer at does not possess his flair at the crease. Although the end of the day when you’ve done well. There’s no perhaps the comparison should be , better feeling.” who played so straight. Shai’s driving is as powerful as FRANKLYN STEPHENSON SAYS HE IS BANNED Everton’s in his prime. Last season Stevens bowled his 75 mph trundlers and took 66 wickets at an impressive 18.08 with the The great West Indian bowler, now coach at his them.” Not true! He will be back in August, playing in the wicketkeeper standing up. Readers of The Cricketer academy six miles north of Bridgetown, scored an Par 3 Championship at Nailcote Hall and if he fancies a voted him Bowler of the Year in Division 2. unbeaten 163 off 57 balls, including 18 sixes, against the game for XL he will be welcome. He is now 58 but still Forty Club in 2016. In the winter edition of The Cricketer capable of scoring rapid hundreds. As a mark of support he was interviewed in the “Whatever happened to…” to Franklyn, the Forty Club is sponsoring one of his column and said “they banned me from playing against young cricketers in this 2018 season.

12 13 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk off!” That earned Rabada a one match ban and he missed What happened in the early hours of September 25 outside the Trent Bridge Test. Stokes must have had a bit of a the Mbargo nightclub in , plunged Stokes into the conscience because in England’s second innings at Lord’s biggest crisis of his career – a broken bone in a hand and a he was pinned on the crease by a straight from charge of affray which could lead to a custodial sentence. Rabada and promptly “walked.” The umpire hadn’t had ICC’s worldwide panellists who voted for the Best Test X1 time to raise the finger. In an interview last year Stokes said and the Best ODI side in 2017 included Stokes in both teams he always “walked.” which is one of the reasons why the ECB allowed him to resume playing. That, and the threat of his lawyers having , in his final year as chairman of the the right to sue the Board for restraint of trade. It was an World Cricket Committee, was a key man in trying to awful dilemma for English cricket. He resumed playing for persuade players to behave more responsibly on the field. England in New Zealand but will later appear in a Bristol Unfortunately 90% of the well known commentators all Crown Court, which will decide his future. condemned ICC for banning Rabada. One noble exception ______was David “Bumble” Lloyd who said: “The teams were made aware about behaviour on the field, with demerit Don Smith, the second oldest living Test player aged 94 points issued for misdemeanours. An abusive send-off is (South Africa’s John Watkins is a few weeks older) told unacceptable. Sport has standards to uphold.” Paul Hayward of the Telegraph that he always walked. Don played for Sussex from 1946-1962 and in 1957 he Rabada later explained that he was swearing to himself. A played three Tests against the West Indies. He said: “In likely story! That reminds us of the story of when George the second Test at Nottingham I walked and when I got in Best was sent off by referee Norman Burtenshaw at the dressing room said ‘you don’t walk in Test Highbury in 1971 when Best pleaded not guilty and told the matches.’ I said: ‘Peter, if you know you’re out, bugger off.’ FA Disciplinary panel: “I swore at team mate Willie Morgan But then he tells me at lunch ‘the umpires would have and not to the referee.” The panel accepted his version given you so you should have stayed.’ I said ‘but I mainly because the footballing authorities didn’t want to nicked it.’ I thought this really isn’t me.” see the finest footballer of his era being banned – the clubs would have lost a lot of money. He watched the Adelaide Test on TV and said “I stopped going to matches years ago because I can’t stand the noise. Stokes walked on another occasion, on the opening day of Most spectators want to be part of the action. I don’t want the Headingley Test against the West Indies. Dropped on 98, that. I just want to see my beautiful game of cricket.” When he tried to swivel round to hook ’s he retired Don was coach at Lancing College, one of the on 100 and was caught by wicketkeeper Dowrich. Before the Forty Club’s longstanding fixtures. He is an Australian umpire raised the finger he was on his way to the pavilion. citizen and lives in Adelaide.

NEW SPORTS MINISTER PLAYS CRICKET

At last we have a Sports Minister who plays cricket. Matt Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, was made Minister of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the Prime Minister’s so-called HOW MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ‘WALK?’ “Stiletto” reshuffle in January and 40-year-old Hancock plays for the Lord’s and Commons side. He went to King’s at Chester, one of the Not many, one imagines. But there are some. We should start One candidate for a mention this summer was, very Forty Club fixtures. He is also the first MP to a competition with a worthwhile prize to give to the batsman surprisingly, , the fiery, combative successor ride a horse to victory since the First World who does it with most style and grace. Match Managers to Ian Botham. He needled , the emerging War – he won a Newmarket Plate in 2012. should send in their details and we can select the best one Protea fast bowler, with his remarks and in a previous and present the trophy to the winner at our October dinner. match when he was given out Rabada shouted “xxxx

14 15 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk FRENCH CRICKET GOES He wrote seven cricket books, was a broadcaster, a governor of the BBC and a much-loved man. Andrew RECALLED Stephenson, MP for Nelson and Colne, is liaising with Lord Fowler, the Speaker of the and other relevant people in the House of Commons in an effort to sign a petition calling for a statue in Russell Square or Parliament Square. Zafar Ali, the chairman of Nelson Council, wants a statue in Nelson as well. There is only one monument in Nelson – a 20-metre tall shuttle from the mills – and most of the residents are unimpressed by it. They would prefer someone who can inspire young people to take up cricket. Orville , the High Commissioner of Trinidad, as well as the Trinidadian Prime Minister, is backing the idea.

Quartet of campaigners – Derek Metcalf, Nelson’s historian, Andrew Stephenson, MP for Nelson and Colne, our editor Brian Scovell, and David Hirst, esteemed umpire member of XL’s North West

On 10 November, four men attended a meeting at Nelson CC to start a campaign for the erection of a statue of Lord Learie Constantine of Maraval of Nearly two decades ago John Huntley, a member John Huntley with his French class and Nelson, to celebrate the 50th of XL since 1984, was invited by Peter Robinson anniversary, in 2019, of him becoming the first black (XL member of some renown) to assist with an peer in the House of Lords. Carl Openshaw, our records introductory coaching session with a large group man, confirms that Learie was a Forty Club member of 60 plus French youngsters at his club ground in recently developed Kent CCC ground in Beckenham. and said: “He played one game, at Bedford School in Kent. “This was a new venture and having achieved I calculated that we have delivered over 150 sessions 1952 and he scored 34 and didn’t bowl. Percy Fender the dizzy heights of O levels in French, Spanish and since we started. and Alf Gover both played. Princess Margaret was there German I had some misgivings as to how we would although I have no idea why!” be able to convey the arcane nature of cricket skills to “It must be said that the behaviour of the French those who had probably never seen it before,” he said. students is impeccable and we have never reached Our editor Brian Scovell said: “I ghost-wrote his Brian Scovell and David Hirst, our NW Forty Club the end of a session feeling “I’m glad that‘s over.” cricketing columns in the Daily Sketch from 1961-66 and umpire where Learie lived between 1929-1949 at Meredith “The session was led by two Australians who were The groups are always large and mixed varying from when I first joined XL in 1987, older members spoke Street, Nelson experienced coaches and good players. However the 40 plus to over 100. I can just about remember my about Learie playing either for or against the Forty strong “Strine” accent delivered at normal speed own stroppy teenage years and very few display my Club. Learie was a friend of , , caused many a young French face to glaze over. It own behavioural shortcomings at that age.” and other Henry Grierson associates. For THE DEPUTY SPEAKER was a steep learning curve for all of us but we filled nine seasons between 1929-1937 in Nelson, Learie was the two hours or so. Since these words were penned things changed the highest paid sportsman in Britain and was the Ian RETIRES for the worse because the French Government has Botham – cricketing of course! – of the time. “A little later I was asked to lead a coaching team dropped the idea of using Kwik Cricket in primary with another large French group at the excellent schools. A new Indian-led administration at the He and his family were ejected from the Imperial Hotel Sir Alan Gordon Barraclough Haselhurst, MP for Saffron facilities of Tonbridge School. Using my 1956 O level French Cricket Association, sponsored by the ICC, in 1943 because US solders didn’t want to stay in a Walden and former Deputy Speaker of the House I prepared a brief welcoming address in French has made a catastrophic start and France Cricket hotel which had black residents. As a barrister he took of Commons, has retired at the age of 79. He joined introducing the coaching team and explaining briefly is now in Division 3 with little prospects of going the case to the High Court and won five guineas in the Forty Club in 2009 and in the 2011 Handbook he what we would be doing during the sessions. To upwards. The management of France Cricket wants damages and the case led to the Race Relations Act in wrote: “The Forty Club embodies the spirit of cricket, my delight I was congratulated by the teachers and to concentrate on T20. 1965. Effectively he broke the colour bar. championing fair play and sportsmanship among I found the pupils were prepared to try out their young cricketers. After all, these are the reasons why sparse English having heard my pathetic efforts at Most of the French team are Indians and Pakistan He became the first High Commissioner to Trinidad, thousands of people remain attached to cricket with their tongue. immigrants. An English team was scheduled to working in WWII as an advisor helping West Indians an intensity which grows disproportionately as their play an international in Paris in 1789 but the French who migrated to the North West of England either to playing skills falter.” Sir Alan has written five amusing “The team’s success is reflected in the regular Revolution intervened. A match was held 192 years serve in the armed forces or fill the gaps in factories. books on his favourite sport. bookings ever since at centres in Canterbury and the later when France beat MCC by seven wickets.

16 17 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk HUBERT’S LONG AND JOHN LINDLEY FINALLY A MEMORABLE, HAPPY DISTINGUISHED CAREER HANGS UP HIS BOOTS COMES TO AN END DINNER AT THE APTLY One of our most experienced members, John Lindley has announced his retirement. He joined the Club in 2000 and his statistics are almost as good as the legendary NAMED ASHES SUITE Jack Hyams – 18,000 runs, 4,100 wickets and 740 catches, mainly compiled between 1955-2014 with Ealing CC. Latterly he lived in Sherborne and extended his career with over 60 and 70 sides in the West Country and was Last year’s dinner at the Kia Oval was one of the very leaderboard, then moved to be chairman of Vodafone, still performing against our school opponents. best. We welcomed 145 members and guests who and also, between 1997 and 2002, chairman of the enjoyed an excellent dinner and were entertained by England and Wales Cricket Board. We were delighted amusing and entertaining speeches. There was also that Lord Ian accepted, and we were equally delighted NORTH WEST SIGN UP A time, after the formal proceedings had been brought to that Mark Alleyne accepted our invitation to be the FORMER AUSTRALIAN STATE a close, to repair to the bar before heading home. second speaker. CRICKETER Our principal speaker, the incoming MCC President, Mark Alleyne MBE, former MCC coach and now cricket Lord MacLaurin of Knebworth, joined the XL Club coach at Marlborough College, arrived a few minutes Hubert Doggart, OBE, MA, one of our Honorary LIfe in 1975, played for MCC and Kent 2nd XI and was late. He turned up for the first course and when Members and the fifth oldest Test player at 92, died on an extremely good cricketer. In his earlier career, his interlude chat with John Barclay began later, February 21. A fuller obituary will appear in the 2019 The fortunes of North West are set to change for the Lord Ian had been the chairman of Tesco and taken he apologised: “I was born in Tottenham and lived Year Book. He was acknowledged as one of the great better with the recruitment of Clinton Perren, the it to number one position on the supermarkets in Barbados for a while and when I’m late, I am on men of English cricket with a immensely long CV – two 42-year-old Queensland batsman. Now settled in Tests for England, a Cambridge Blue in five different Lancashire and playing alongside Phil Deakin with sports, soldier, captain of Sussex, Headmaster of King’s, Littleborough, he played his only game for the Forty Bruton, President of MCC, Chairman of ICC, Chairman Club in September, when he scored 156 not out in NW’s ESCA, a writer, a poet and an exceptionally nice man. 249-2 in the Inter District Tournament at Oswestry, which Wales won. He was able to see the televised Women’s Final at Lord’s in July and said to our Editor: “It was a He has an impressive CV. Born in Brisbane, he played marvellous comeback and I congratulate them. Their 84 first-class games with an average of 35.59. He success will persuade more young girls to take up the played for Australia A against South Africa in 2002 game. I remember the early days of women’s cricket and against England in an ODI. He scored 173 out in this country when there was little or no money but of Queensland’s 900-6, adding 329 for the second things have changed a great deal.” wicket with Stuart Law. His highest score is 224, made against South Australia.

Besides being a professional cricketer, he has worked as ANDY NASH RESIGNS a sports programme coordinator, a financial advisor and helping disadvantaged children. Asked what he thought TWICE about the Ashes series he said: “From this position (before the series started) I think it’s going to be very close. One of our members, Andy Nash, resigned as chairman Could go either way. Losing of Somerset last year after ten years of steady Ben Stokes was tough and I progress which took the county closest to becoming hope he gets back in action champions for the first time, in 2016. Gordon Clark has soon. We can’t afford to lose succeeded him. someone of his quality.”

Nash served on the committee for 14 years and was a Keith Roscoe, NW’s slow left non executive director of the ECB. Recently he resigned arm record breaking bowler, in protest against the plan to distribute future receipts was an absentee last summer from international matches, claiming that the smaller waiting for a major operation counties are being treated unfairly. and we wish him well.

The seven captains of the schools which won fair play trophies with Mark Alleyne (4th from the left)

18 19 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Barbados time. In England, I’m ahead of time.” He He praised the Forty Club for being a marvellous said Reg Scarlett, the West Indies Test bowler who club for putting out the right message to young was in charge at Haringey Cricket College, was a people, “and together with MCC, we put on 600 Ormskirk School opened in 2004 after Ormskirk major influence on him. Reg, described by one of fixtures for schools and other clubs who cherish Grammar School and Cross Hall High Street our prominent members Christopher Martin-Jenkins their visits. Both are helping to bring cricket to combined and the new school, costing £16 million, as, “a mountain of a man”, was also a member of struggling parts of the world.” was opened by Prince Andrew. the Forty Club. Two surprise presentations took place. The first was Philip left school at 18 and is now employed by his Said Mark: “As well as talking about playing the the gift of an inscribed ball to Jon Thornton for creating father’s packaging company. “I decided not to go game, he did all the peripheral stuff like respect a club record of scoring 1115 runs in the current year. to university,” said this level-headed young man. and have fun.” Asked by John Barclay about mental Jon played in 29 matches during the summer. He is a leg-spin bowler and asked about Mason strength, he said: “I worry a bit about young people Crane being selected for the tour to Australia, he expecting to be perfect. To be good you could still said forthrightly: “I think he’s not up to England be a bit bonkers.” Asked about leadership, he said: standard.” We will have to see. “When I was 12 or 13 I imagined I was captain and thought about what I would do. I looked on myself as a virtual captain. I was very lucky to become a real one. Today captains are under scrutiny all the one over to go we needed 12 runs and the last two time. It is becoming much harder.” Ormskirk skipper Philip Bradley-Jones receiving the Forty Club Trophy from batters were in. After a huge six struck over mid-wicket Lord MacLaurin. and still needing two to win off two balls, the quick Ian MacLaurin had the audience chuckling with reactions of Steve Harrison ran out our last batter on his timely reminiscences when he took over as The most dramatic match of the season was at the penultimate ball of the game. After a great day of ECB chairman accompanying the England tour Ormskirk School in West Lancashire when XL won by cricket, the Forty Club won by one run. to Zimbabwe in 1996-97. “England failed to win a one run off the penultimate ball with a run out. The match and the coach David Lloyd came out with his school’s erudite first XI captain Philip Bradley-Jones “The whole day fostered a real sense of opportunity, famous remark: “We bloody murdered them.” The was presented the heavyweight Forty Club Trophy by resilience and respect, which are the school’s core hotel where England stayed was “awful, smelly” Ian. His speech summed up the qualities of our Club values – opportunity that we could play against such a and the players had to share rooms. He said and here it is, in full: historical and prestigious club, resilience in managing “Medha Laud, the wonderful lady who organises a loss by such a close margin, and a mutual respect tours for the ECB, said there was a sumptuous hotel “First of all I would like to thank you for this prestigious between the two teams. We are very proud of the in Harare where some officials were staying and I award which I am delighted to accept on behalf of relationship between the school and Forty Club and we said: ‘Put us in that one and give the players single Ormskirk School. I feel very honoured to captain the look forward to another meeting next year. rooms, unless a few of them were willing to share.’ school first team on a regular basis but particularly Future tours were overhauled and it took two years The second was an engraved silver plate to represent the school as captain for the Forty Club “Cricket is great for the players involved, but we also to get it right. congratulating Paddy Gaywood, our much-loved fixture. Ormskirk School, maybe because of its grammar need to thank the teachers, coaches, officials, parents, and long-serving Members’ Secretary, for her 51 school roots, places a lot of value on cricket. It also clubs and the local community who work hard to make Looking forward to the future of English cricket, years in the post “and still going strong.” Paddy said does this with a number of other sports but there is the fixture come together and without whom we would Ian said he thought a second division in the afterwards: “I was completely taken aback. It was a something about the way cricket is played and the ethos not be able to enjoy the game we love. It is a team game Championship was well past its sell by date and wonderful gesture.” surrounding it that makes our great game stand out. The and a team effort and I am delighted to accept this that the number of counties should be cut to 13 or aim of our cricket is not just to learn the game but to award on behalf of the Ormskirk team.” 14. T20 had been given to the world by England help develop individuals through the game – focusing on and now England has been overtaken by the integrity, respect and a positive attitude – where striving other countries. for excellence is important, but will always be second to taking part. Success is grounded in letting everyone He spoke up for the oldies. In March he was 80 ‘have a go’ and is measured by the success of the team himself and despite having a full set of replaced as a whole; a reflection of the endeavour, teamwork and knees and hips, he still leads a vigorous life. He camaraderie exhibited in each game we play. spoke of two of our oldies – Jack Hyams, who made 177 centuries before dying at the age of “The Forty Club game is a highlight of our year and is 93, and Lt Commander John Manners, who was historically challenging but very enjoyable. Because watching the Ashes series Down Under at the age of that, the ten district winners all did really well and of 103. “Jack was still playing in his 90s and his should be congratulated also. As for the match itself, diet was 40 cigarettes and whisky,” he said. “John’s it couldn’t have been closer. Rachel Dickenson, the first captain was Lord Tennyson at Hampshire and Lancashire Ladies and potential future England player, he watched three days play of the Lord’s Test last opened the bowling, demonstrating accuracy in her Unfortunately the final of the Inter District Tournament season.” (Lord Lionel Tennyson, who was born in variation, but a number of telling innings by Tony couldn’t go ahead last season and Wales and 1889 and died in 1941, was the grandson of Alfred Bennett, Ryan Hughes and David Lowe led the Club to Scotland shared the trophy. Mark Alleyne made the Tennyson, the Victoria Poet Laureate). declaring on 218-5. All of the school’s batsmen did well presentation to Phil Stallard, the Wales DC and Colin and we started the last 20 overs still needing 138. With Neill, the DC of Scotland.

20 21 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk DO WE HAVE ANOTHER KENT STAR IN THE MAKING?

ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE, RAMSGATE

In the clear blue sky over Ramsgate there were six vapours of aircraft on May 11 making the watchers wonder whether the aircraft were going to land. A chill northerly wind forced the cricketers at the top of a hill next to the school to don their cable stitch sweaters, if they still had them, to watch proceedings. Kris Glass and Isaac Dilkes (Picture, Tom Moulton) They were all – well, perhaps not everyone, because some of the boys were talking with their girlfriends at this 50-50 mixed gender school – watching 15-year-old Isaac Dilkes, who was approaching his career-best score. His previous highest was 147. Ian Robinson, XL’s skipper, brought back the Canterbury CC Australian fast-medium bowler Kris Glass, who coaches the younger players, and Isaac, a member of the Kent CC Academy, effortlessly chipped a length ball over mid off to pass 150. SIR GARFIELD DROPS IN him to say a few words. He said: “I don’t want to talk about myself.” His stroke was reminiscent of , who now seems to have turned into a white ball performer, COLSTON’S SCHOOL, BRISTOL After a sumptuous lunch he held the attention of having lost his Test position. Have Kent unearthed the boys for 15 minutes, whetting their appetite for another Buttler? Tom Moulton, head of History who Sir Gary Sobers, perhaps the best known of the Forty putting up a good show in the 30-degree heat in the assists Seth Simmons, the cricket master in charge, Club’s 16 surviving Hon Life Members, and of whom FS Caribbean. “It will be very competitive,” he said, “but was cautious. “Things have changed,” he said, “the Trueman once said: “He is the greatest cricketer who you will enjoy it. Cricket is a sport where you can Academies bring in talented boys, get them down to ever drew breath,” made a surprise visit to Colston’s make lifelong friends and enrich your lives.” be coached and the vast majority don’t make it. Isaac School in Bristol on June 13, the day of the XL fixture. wants to be a first-class cricketer and it is up to him. Few people have done more for the spirit of cricket. If he keeps improving, he might be.” He is partly descended from slaves, mixed in with He always “walked” and would always congratulate Germanic blood as well and Colston’s was founded his opponents as well as his own team. His philosophy Two successive reverse sweeps took him to 163 and financed by the slave owner Sir Edward Colston was to enjoy it and not to try to win at all costs. before he nudged a low catch off Glass’s bowling in 1710. There have been student demonstrations The College was founded in 1879 and in WWI it was to keeper Stuart Faulkner. He had batted almost around Britain in recent years calling for the removal He’s rather disillusioned about some of the things moved to Chester to avoid being in the range of the through the 40 overs. He looked slightly disappointed of reminders of Cecil Rhodes and other slave owners now happening in the game. “I don’t watch much German air force. In WWII it moved again to avoid the about losing the asterisk which would have taken his whose wealth helped build many public schools cricket on television these days,” he said. He praised attention of the Luftwaffe, this time to Northamptonshire. batting average to 139. and universities and in Bristol the name Colston is Iraq Thomas (pictured above with Sir Gary), a anathema to many young people. There has been 24-year-old all rounder from Tobago who is the The school recently sold their sports ground but bought His square cutting off the back foot was reminiscent of pressure to change the name of the school and professional at Congresbury CC and guested in the

ST LAWRENCE COLLEGE ST LAWRENCE a large farm overlooking it and it is in the process of a young and his square sweeping was another hall in the city which bears the Colston name. XL West’s side. “You looked a good player and struck building three cricket squares next to an expensive pure . His father, a club cricketer himself, The school is holding firm but the name of the hall the ball very well,” he told him. The West was 17-4 astroturf hockey pitch. ‘The cricket pitches are looking was proudly clapping in his boy. And Tom Moulton may well be changed. until the stocky Thomas raced to his hundred just good and with chalk underneath the drainage is first- added: “He’s actually a very useful leg spinner. before lunch at a rate of four an over. He is not as big class,” said Tom Moulton. Sir Gary has long been the sporting ambassador as , the Tobago big hitter who stars XL started poorly but recovered from 58-4, with of his birthplace Barbados and came to talk to the in the IPL, but his hits were almost as huge – 80-90 The cricket pavilion hasn’t been built yet: they use a small Glass scoring 74* and Simmons 30 in XL’s 213-7, 31 boys about his youth cricket tournament there in metres. He advanced down the pitch and smashed 12 hockey changing hut and it needed a long walk down and short of the target. Tom Moulton said: “We finished at July which entertained overseas squads, including sixes in his total of 127 off 63 balls. up the hill again to enjoy a lovely tea/dinner, fortified by about 8pm. This was a very good fixture for our boys Colston’s. Despite his monumental and unequalled several bottles of wine (for the visiting side!). and one we look forward to repeating.” feats, he remains a kindly, humble man and when There were hardly any poor deliveries because Chris Banning, teacher of Physical Education, asked the Colston’s bowlers were, in the main, accurate

22 23 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk EAST MIDLANDS Our chairman Philip Faulkner-Corbett arrived at tea and spent a couple of hours in the bright sunshine GO GLOBAL ROYAL LINKS WITH watching the boys hustled out for 88. He doesn’t play regular cricket now and his cricketing aim is to STAMFORD persuade our existing members to recommend new members and convince them that they can extend their STAMFORD SCHOOL Stamford School was founded in 1532 by a local careers appearing in the relaxed atmosphere at grounds merchant William Radcliffe. As I walked up the like the beautiful Colston’s ground and enjoy the day. pedestrian main road through many examples of the History was made in the historic town of Stamford in beautiful 17th-18th architecture I discovered one He was delighted to meet Jeremy McCullough, the the hottest week for 40 years in mid-June when the Head, who is a cricket lover and who relishes reading of the great love stories of British monarchy. There East Midlands District took up the idea of globalisation. is a plaque about Edward I (1239-1307) known as our yearbook. “My study is not far away. I heard the Forty-eight hours before their side was about to take noise and realised wickets were falling, which I’ve “Longshanks” because he was six feet two inches on Stamford School, one of the best schools side in the tall and his first wife Eleanor of Castile (1254-1290) missed,” he said. The school went down by 130 runs. area, chairman Peter Mason went down with stomach He was previously at Lancing College, which has now who had 14 children in their 36 years of marriage. trouble and Match Manager Gareth Owen also had to When Eleanor died, the King ordered 12 shard-like produced an England cricketer in Mason Crane. drop out. COLSTON’S SCHOOL COLSTON’S limestone monuments to commemorate his wife Paul Muchall, a coach at Colston’s, was attached to in the stopping places where the funeral cortege Bill Taylor, whose son is a pupil at the school, took over passed through, finishing up at Durham CCC and knew Ben Stokes well. “You could as MM and an Australian, 20-year-old Tom Ramage see he would be a very good cricketer,” he said. “He where both he and Eleanor were buried. The first from Sydney, and a South African of a similar age, monument was in Stamford. He took his wife with was hitting hundreds in his youth and was very, Ruwe Eouw, both professionals in the local league, were Harry Longega in action very competitive. And volatile. In the North they’re him on his various Crusades, including taking on recruited and played key parts in XL’s unexpected the Scots’ Bravehearts. though their enthusiasm waned, understandably. much more competitive. It means they have to win eight-wicket win. and keep winning. “ Their opening bowler Harry Longega, well over six In 2013 the Sunday Times voted Stamford, feet, bowled left-arm over at a rapid pace and was The school nurse, an Australian named Sylvia Murray, Edward Colston was born in 1636 and died in 1721. population 23,000, the nicest town in England. the man who came back to dismiss Thomas. Another came to the aid of Richard Saltmarsh, who was felled Perhaps the most quixotic old boy of the school attempted six was sliced high over extra cover and He was the youngest of 15 children and his father early on in a freak accident. One of the school’s openers was a prosperous merchant. He grew up in London was Alfred Harmsworth, the man who founded the Joe Dryell, who is with the Gloucestershire CCC Jack Martin hooked behind square leg and the ball leading magazine of the day “Answers” and the Academy, held a fine, falling catch on the turn. and at 16 he became Parliament’s youngest MP. Later landed a few yards short of the boundary and Aussie he built a sugar refinery in St. Kitts and much of his Daily Mail, in 1896. He also founded the Daily Tom retrieved it and hurled it towards the far wicket, Mirror and pioneered popular journalism. Thomas said “I once scored a hundred in a T20 at wealth came from kidnapping young people in Africa 70 yards away. Richard, a new XL member who is an home off only 21 deliveries.” Wow! and transporting them to the West Indies as slaves. experienced club cricketer, was intending to catch it He founded at least eight schools, in London and Bristol, Harmsworth played a big part in helping the British when it bounced up and hit him on the cheekbone, army to be properly armed and as Lord Northcliffe he The recruitment of these young players, whether and there are several landmarks in Bristol named after him – a statue, a tower, a hall, two roads and four won the support of Lloyd George, the Prime Minister from home or abroad, as guests in Forty Club schools in WWI. games is welcome: it balances up the sides and the schools. To erase Colston could be a costly exercise!

boys learn so much. Footwork, for example. Very few SCHOOL STAMFORD English cricketers jump out of their crease to try to go for a six. Proper footwork and getting into line could transform their game. Sir Garfield was a master at it: knocking him off his feet. He took some time to get to he was never . Now 81, his weight remains his feet and was then helped off the field. the same as when he was 17 when he made his Test debut. After six operations on one knee, the other one Sylvia mopped up the blood and applied a wet pad and is giving him trouble but he still manages to play some suggested that he should go to A&E to check to see whether four rounds every week at his favourite Sandy Lane there had been a fracture. Fortunately there wasn’t one and Golf course with the help of a buggy. no stitches were needed. Richard sensibly agreed to drop out of the game and watch the rest of the match in the comfort Winston Duguid played a gallant support role to of the seats in front of the thatched pavilion, built in 1937 in Thomas in a fifth wicket stand of 154. He eventually honour of a former long-serving head. came in at 218-5 declared with 37 not out in 36 overs. “Couldn’t get going,” he said. He was one of the local “One minute I was about to catch the ball and it must have Liberal workers who helped bring about a surprise hit a bump and shot up and laid me out,” said Richard, an victory in the Bath election when Wera Hobhouse, a agricultural consultant. “Luckily I’ve only been hit in the head teacher who was born in Hanover before migrating twice in my career. I never wore a helmet, like most of my to England after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, beat the contemporaries. My son always used one and offered to loan Conservative candidate Ben Howlett by 5,694 votes. his but I didn’t bother.”

The statue of Edward Colston – so far, not yet defaced

24 25 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk WE NEEDED A NOTABLES OF STAMFORD SIMON HUGHES SCHOOL LATYMER’S UPPER SCHOOL Others include Malcolm Sargent, the conductor

Sir Michael Tippett, the composer Three weeks after the horrific Grenfell Tower fire some of our members drove past the tributes of flowers and Colin Dexter, OBE, author and actor messages on walls and buildings on their way to North Kensington to take on Latymer’s, one of the best-equipped John Terraine, military historian independent schools in the area. The ghastly, blackened shell of the tower could be seen from the elevated A40. General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff Next to the huge cricket ground there was another tower of 30 stories under construction and one wondered what Mark James, captain of the Ryder Cup team future there is for high-rise buildings in modern society.

Shah Masood, Pakistan Test batsman who scored six Anyone who lived in WWII – and especially the time when 100s for the School in 2008-9 40,000 people were killed in The Blitz in 1940-41 – would remember the thousands of bombed out people who Dean Headley was born in Stourbridge in 1970, played needed replacement accommodation. Most of them were for Worcestershire and Middlesex and appeared in 15 welcomed into the properties of friends and relatives. Tests for England between 1997 and 99. Today that doesn’t seem to work. STAMFORD SCHOOL STAMFORD Latymer’s has produced one outstanding former cricketer The overs limit was reduced to 35 because of the extreme – Simon Hughes, the former heat and the school innings needed resuscitation because, Middlesex bowler who now has on a slowish, flat pitch, their batsmen were bamboozled a worldwide reputation as a by canny bowling and settings. Dean Headley, the professor of swing, seam and former England fast medium bowler who is a PE teacher, reverse bowling and had he been was very unhappy about their performance. present he might have helped out the quicker bowlers. Simon “They were all going in for hard shot cricket, trying to testing bowling. Both batsmen showed the boys how to attended the school more than Olly Smith and Andy Stokes bash it every ball, instead of looking for the gaps. I said play a proper innings, as opposed to a T20 thrash. 30 years ago and when asked: “Have you heard of him?” to them ‘where do the Forty Club have an advantage over one of the current first team said: “Oh yes, I know him. His bit before declaring on 236-5 but if Olly hadn’t got his 50 I us? – experience. They put their fielders deeper and you Ruwe, from Pretoria, scored a rapid 47* using the daughter went to Emanuel and is a good cricketer and we would never have heard the end of it!” should be running them ragged by going for quick runs. Shrivnarnine Chanderpaul stance and the contest ended know her.” We’re not doing that.” with 7.5 overs remaining. The boys had learnt from the Lunch had been provided at the start of the game mistakes they made earlier. This type of XL cricket can Match manager Andy Smith admitted he had big problems but tea was sacrificed because the boys were going Some luck went XL’s way and No.6 Arthur Jones was now look forward to happier days with not having to assembling a worthy team but he did a fine job. He off to their end-of-season celebration so the last superbly run out by Aussie Tom at 72-5. Then Jack Martin, make excuses about carrying too many passengers. recruited his talented cricketing sons Olly and Ben as well 20 overs were signalled at 4.15. That left the school a first teamer, was brilliantly caught low down at point for The path forward must now be recruiting some of these as a couple of guests and the declaration match went to the 38 overs and they just managed to do it. North 35. There was plenty of good cricket. talented young southern hemisphere professionals who fifth ball of the final over of the 20 overs before the school Thames chairman Ilija Krunic, watched by his family, rarely play regular weekday cricket to restore the won by five wickets. toiled through seven overs and Ben Smith bowled Warren Bichall, a former Leicestershire Under 21 slow right balance. menacingly. When the umpires called the 20 overs, the left-armer came on to show his expertise and kept the A mini heatwave had started – the temperature suddenly school needed 159 runs. pressure on. It was only later on when the tail-enders took Bill Taylor said: “Proceedings finished with a couple of soared to 27C – and the school bowlers found it hard work their time against a succession of amiable bowlers that beers in the pavilion and a good chinwag with some of on a flat batting pitch. They were appearing in their fourth In these days of heavy bats being swung vigorously, the final total came to 156-9. the lads, their coach and also their head of cricket Dean match of their cricket week. Steve Dummer drummed up a the top order batsmen stepped up the pace, helped Headley. An excellent fixture that I am sure everyone brisk 40. “Dummer is where Major Ron Ferguson, father of by two dropped chances, one stumping and several After tea another coach, Charlie Esson, a former Dorset would like to play next year.” the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, lived and played for,” fumbles in the field. One fielder, a guest, sprinted along Minor County cricketer, presided over a huddle which said Steve. “Very nice man.” the fine leg boundary and swooped to pick up the lasted as much as four minutes before XL began their ball one-handed but tripped and fell, exposing his red innings. It worked. The boys were desperate to atone for Andy Stokes followed up with an unbeaten 100 and Olly underpants. He got up, pulled up his tracksuit bottom their batting failures and Aussie Tom, 32, and Tickhill Smith reached his 50 in a fourth-wicket stand of 122. XL and hurled the ball to keeper David Steele. He’d saved CC’s Paul Shepherd, 40, had to apply themselves against skipper Andy Smith, said: “Maybe our innings went on a two runs. That’s the spirit!

26 27 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk GLORIOUS FEAST OF FORTY CLUB CAUGHT WINNING GLASWEGIAN CRICKET ON A STICKY DOG IN STYLE

GLASGOW ACADEMY EPSOM COLLEGE WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL

Founded in 1845, Glasgow Academy is an independent day By Ben Kirby, one of the Epsom players North East skipper Geoff Barker led his side to school for pupils aged 3–18. It is the oldest continuously one of the District’s biggest wins of the season independent school in the city. Cricket is a sport that has Epsom College was the destination for the Forty with the margin of victory being 159 runs. Brian been nurtured by the enthusiastic coach Hari Haran for Club on June 28, taking on their 1st XI in a 50- Close, one of Yorkshire and England’s best over 15 years. The school has a group of good cricketers over game. Throughout the season, their players ever captains, was born in Rawdon, close to the who play the game to win but also in the spirit of cricket. had referred to the Epsom wicket as ‘playing school ground at Apperley Bridge. The school on a road’, however, the rainfall before the toss boasts five pitches and the main one has a slope It was a beautiful day on Wednesday May 10 and we meant that the pitch was softer than usual and similar to Lord’s. looked forward to an excellent day’s cricket. The Forty bowling however it must be noted that they were not consequently it was harder to play on. Club won the toss and batted first. We lost an early frightened to rotate their bowlers against a very strong The school picked a development side and wicket when former pupil Richard Andrew was bowled Forty Club batting line up. Their fielding was excellent. XL lost the toss and was forced to bat first – not asked XL to bat first. Famous names of the for 15. A good stand of 79, built around a 53-ball fifty Ruairdh Russell captained the side very well, setting a good start for them! The blistering pace of Xani past were in XL’s eleven who were topscorers from our young associate member from Zimbabwe good fields and never giving up despite the pressure on Lawrence and the accuracy and movement of in their 272-8 – James van der Merwe 69 (after Jonathan Campbell (son of former Zimbabwe captain both his bowlers and fielders. If there had been a man Chris Lansdown would strike fear into the hearts South African captain Peter van der Merwe) and Alastair), followed. The third-wicket fell at 112 before of the match Oliver would have won it. His innings was of anyone. Their fear was confirmed by an early Charlie Pilling (after Lancashire’s Harry Piling) Fraser Murray (80) and Rajitha Waruna (45) put on a a delight to watch. He made a chanceless hundred off wicket for Lansdown in the third over. Edwards with 60. A colossal 40 extras was the third century stand for the fourth wicket. Many school sides 124 balls seeing his side home with three balls to spare. tried to defend but an inside edge went to the highest score. would have folded in the face of this onslaught but In the pavilion after the match both teams exchanged diving Savill at short leg – a magnificent catch! their captain kept his fielders’ heads up and rotated his cricket stories and a bit from the Forty Club. We also The school managed just 113 runs with left- bowlers in an effort to take wickets. The school never learned that this was the highest score the school had The other opener Steve King, didn’t seem at all armer Tony Sheppard taking 3-52 in nine overs. gave up in the field and their conduct and enthusiasm made in the history of Glasgow Academy school cricket, fazed by the bowlers. Playing the anchor role, Armie Sidebottom, the former Manchester were excellent. No incessant appealing that has dogged a history of over a hundred years he calmly made his way to 30 off 105 balls, United footballer and Yorkshire bowler, is the many games! At tea we had reached 254-5 off 40 overs exactly what the team needed at the time. coach. One of their pupils, fast bowler Ajmal and Colin Neill declared. The match was played on a gorgeous day with a great Having run 18 singles and 6 doubles, he must Shahzad, was the first Asian cricketer to wicket and a fast outfield and our thanks must go to the have been a bit tired towards the back end of represent Yorkshire. He made one appearance So at tea the school was facing a very stiff target of 255 Academy for their hospitality. his innings, nonetheless, a well-played knock. He for England and had short periods with in an hour and a half and 20 overs. The school got off to was supported nicely by Crook and Greatorex, Nottinghamshire and Sussex before retiring. a great start as their openers, playing in different styles, who both tried to up the pace by striking two posted 122 for the first wicket. With the Academy’s boundaries each. star player and Scotland U19 international, John Oliver, playing the holding role, this enabled the other opener (a The biggest surprise of the day was No.9 batsman Western Warriors U15 player) to play a more attacking NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS Will Moore, who came in for the final nine overs. innings. The young man scored 81 off 62 balls with 13 Most were expecting him to play a short and fours and a six. The Forty Club did however contribute J.M. Barrie writer of Peter Pan sweet innings, causing his side to fall short of to this by putting him down twice. the 50 overs. However, he played a very relaxed John Ross Beattie, international rugby player for innings, staying composed throughout, leading When the wicket fell Oliver took control and helped Scotland and British Lions (1980-1987) him to a terrific 25 not out, helping XL to 141-9. his young No.3 get settled. As the overs ticked by, the grew and when the second wicket fell they had John William Beattie, International rugby player Epsom openers formed a solid foundation with put on 88. The game was now coming down to the wire Scotland (2006-2015) both scoring 50s to reach a 100 partnership, and the Academy needed to score 47 off the ten remaining (both John Beatties, father and son opened the bowling before Lack took the wicket of Ed Hughes in the overs of the match. Oliver again rotated the strike, allowing for the Academy) 29th over, but the school finished with 144-1. A his partner captain Ruairdh Russell, the more attacking win by nine wickets. It was a well fought game, batsman, to get after the Forty Club bowling. Donald Dewar, Scottish Labour Party MP and MSP, the but what set the teams apart was the ability to first First Minister of Scotland form a good start to our innings. It was entirely appropriate however that with six runs needed to win in the last over John Oliver hit the second Douglas Lockhart, international cricket player for Scotland, 105 caps (1996-2010)

and third balls for four to bring up his hundred to win the match, with Russell unbeaten on 24 at the other end. Herbert Waddell, international rugby player for Scotland The Academy’s Spirit of Cricket was exemplary, in and British Lions (1924-1930) and President of the Barbarians (1902-1988) playing ability the batting was stronger than the GLASGOW ACADEMY

28 29 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk OUR BATTLE-SCARRED By this time XL were bringing on their older, slower OUTDONE BY THE EDWARDS BROTHERS bowlers and skipper Lewis took advantage and his HEROES WIN THROUGH fifty enabled his team to reach 179. , a former Minor County player from Godmanchester DORKING CC CC, opened with a style onslaught for LONG MELFORD CC XL and his partner Kevin Grant only faced five balls Dorking CC was founded in 1771 and is one of the Freddie took 2-7. They were all good fielders. Far better before Steve passed fifty, which included five sixes. oldest cricket clubs in the world. It is one of the most than the XL fielders, as one would expect. Robert Smith, who now lives in Holland because of the Three of them sailed over the wall and high hedge picturesque grounds in the Surrey League, overlooking Brexit vote, returned to the UK to organise what he called adjoining the football ground. When he was given the North Downs. Surrey & West Sussex was struggling It was another hot day and labouring through 54 overs the Essex Riviera two-day tour last August. His two XL out lbw, for 70, he said: “It hit the bottom edge!” to put out a strong side against a powerful outfit which watching Dorking’s total of 266-5 declared was tiring matches at Frinton and Long Melford were memorable. puts out four teams every Saturday. for our players. It could have been worse. First teamer XL passed the total with three wickets down, and Ben Rogers retired on 100. Pat Patel was dismissed on 99 in XL’s 236 at Frinton honour was satisfied for both sides. This is the type The club has 230 colts and four of them graduated and the home side held on for a draw with 204 for 8. of fixture which brings great delight, played in a from the junior ranks, all brothers from the Edwards XL started the innings badly and things only got worse. Despite being denied his century, Pat’s celebrations joyous spirit. family aged between 15 and 24. All played significant Josh Shavas, the other opening bowler, who is a qualified continued well into the night. parts in XL’s 156-run thrashing. Seven of the colts coach, tore up to the wicket, stopped and suddenly his took part. Whether many of those 230 make the grade right arm swung over at great speed. He was too good Andrew Short, one of our loyal Match Managers, took as useful cricketers can be questioned. One crusty for Willie Boone. Willie had already had two catching only one wicket but he will never forget the day because On the outskirts of Long Melford there is member said: “Some of them have the brains of a gnat. opportunities at slip and had taken neither and now he fielding at gully he was whacked in the head without a 15th century National Trust mansion They are obsessed with trying to hit the ball all the was bowled first ball. Asked about the delivery – did it seeing the ball. Wearing his Jesters CC , he joked: owned and occupied by a succession of time. Their concentration span is minimal. They go on cut back? – he said: “I started to go forward and then it “It probably saved me from being injured. I noticed the admirals, six in all, and the most famous to other things, Facebook, Twitter etc.” was too late to go back. I can’t remember the last time batsman had tried to cut the ball and missed so I moved was Vice Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, who I was out first ball. It would have to be a long time ago.” in a bit, quite close and didn’t see it. It hit me on the commanded the British fleet at the battle of However, Charlie, Willie, Freddie and George Edwards (Maybe check page 11, Willie!) forehead, the hardest part of the head. It didn’t knock me Copenhagen in 1801. He was famous for ordering are made of different stock. Charlie, the 15-year-old, down but I had to go off for a while. It’s nothing to make Horatio Nelson to withdraw from battle. Nelson said he plays in the first team on Saturdays and is a promising The innings was heading for disaster but coming in a fuss about. I felt sure I wasn’t concussed and after didn’t see his signal and the bombardment continued off-spin bowler. George bowled well for his 2-17 and at seven Will Moore struck out boldly before he was coming back, I took a wicket.” Next day he played again with the Danish fleet almost being destroyed. and the slight bump had gone down. Long Melford, population 3,518, boasts the longest Through injuries and absences, Robert found himself High Street of any village in Britain, three miles in several players short for the first visit to the unique length. Roman ruins lie under the football ground. In village of Long Melford which The Times called “in the 14th and 15th centuries it was one of the richest the top ten of villages in England.” He consulted parts of the country through the wool and cloth trade, Justin Lewis, the opposing captain and explained his and many of the buildings still stand. predicament and Justin said: “We don’t have a strong side, most of the players are colts.” Robert said: “And The cricket club was founded in 1855 and was reformed we have some of our youngsters as well.” He meant in 1954 and Bill Edrich, the England batsman and players in their early forties. fast bowler brought up in Norfolk, presided at a dinner in 1972. Martin Peters, the West Ham and England Realising that Long Melford might be overwhelmed footballer, once also played there. William “Nuts” – one of their sides was bowled out for 46 recently – Cobbold (1863-1922) came from Long Melford and was the two captains rejigged their sides to try to ensure looked on as a Stanley Mathews-style dribbler during a reasonable game without one side being thrashed. his six years playing for England in the 1880s. He was a So it turned out that way and it represented the best distant relative of Patrick and John Cobbold, chairmen of aspects of village green on a beautiful day. Ipswich Town in their heyday.

Long Melford have 80 colts on their books and five The well-designed pavilion was built in 1994 and has a played in the match with varied results. T20itis large bar, deterring thirsty players from going to the six took over with their inexperienced batsmen scoring pubs in the High Street. quickly and losing wickets almost as fast. Eight batsmen failed to pass ten. Josh Arendse, from OTHER NOTABLES IN Avondale CC in Cape Town is the professional and when the sixth wicket fell at 102 he was caught at LONG MELFORD square leg by Joe Colebrook, one of the youngsters, Edmund Blunden, the author for 68. The veteran Richard Saltmarsh, who was hit Thomas Gainsborough, the artist in the face at Stamford School, was in the wars again William Cobbold, the England footballer Mignon Nevada, opera singer and had to come off for ice treatment on a little George, William, Charlie and Freddie Edwards finger. He came back on to bowl his lobs. LONG MELFORD

30 31 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk well caught at cow corner for 46. The fielder was Pakistan. He was best known for squaring up to Dennis ON SACRED GROUND AT Derek Candy’s ten were soon finding it difficult to score applauded by his grandfather, who was sitting with Lillee when they started shouting at each other in a boundaries. The club has bought a mower for £20,000 some supporters at the North Downs End. Test match and both were punished. WIMBORNE and the recent cut revealed that the grass was higher than average. Added to that, the boundary ropes were There was some relief when a spectator noticed a lone Dorking’s pavilion is used by athletes and footballers as pushed back and in some parts they were more than 80 white pigeon standing at midwicket. Another said to a well as cricketers. The core of the building is very old, WIMBORNE AND COLEHILL CC metres. Andy Smith hit 36, with six fours, but the rest only lady in her forties: “They’ve reinforced the field, ready but there have been a number of extensions completed mustered three between them in XL’s 179-6 in 41 overs. Jon to take another stunning catch.” She said “Yes, it could over the years. It is valued at £600,000 and is costly Thornton (below), our run machine, scored 71 from 96 balls take over from my son, who has just dropped a sitter to insure. There must be a billionaire among the 12,000 and said: “Haven’t had to run so hard for a long time.” at square leg!” XL succumbed at 109, with last man population who might sponsor a new one! Clive Huggins caught for 1. Wimborne’s openers put up 34 in slow time and once their best bowler Ben Waddington, who took 4-50, was Another of our members, Dave Spackman, chairman caught by John Hawkins off the bowling of Les Loader of Dorking CC, recalled the time he played in the same NOTABLES IN DORKING at 70-3 the remainder was unable to force the pace team as Sussex’s . “Not a very nice against naggingly accurate medium-pace bowling. At man,” he said. “But what a player.” A short man of five Laurence Olivier, the actor the end of the final hour Wimborne reached only 85-6 feet eight inches tall, Javed’s 189 Test innings totalled Ralph Vaughan Williams, composer in 36 overs. Match drawn. They managed only four fours 8,832 runs at an average of 52.57, the highest for a Kenneth Baker, MP and Government Minister and no one on either side, not surprisingly, hit a six. Pakistan batsman at the time. Daniel Defoe, the writer who went to the James Fisher Both sides were indebted to our scorer Andrew Jones, School in Pixham, overlooking the cricket ground who did an excellent job on his own. He hit a six in his final international appearance. Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister Miandad was a controversial character and often fell George Meredith, author Les Loader, our 83-year-old paceman, was the most out with players and administrators. He also coached DORKING economical bowler of the day with figures of 8-4-18- In 2009 Wimborne and Colehill CC had a stroke of 1. His four maidens equalled the four bowled by six luck when they did a deal with Waitrose, who wanted Wimborne bowlers. to build one of their supermarkets in the centre of the Saxon town on their cricket ground. The land was In a historic town of 15,000 inhabitants there are always owned by the Hanham family when they were granted those who will oppose what is happening in the way a baronetcy in 1667 and the 13th baronet, born in 1957, of progress. Several householders complained about offered the club a new site half a mile away. Waitrose the possibility of their houses having their windows put up £5m and part of the money was used to and solar panels broken, but it would need Chris Gayle landscape the new site, a former medieval settlement, hitting a six with gale force wind behind to take a and build a smart looking pavilion. cricket ball 130 metres over the trees. So far not one house has suffered any damage. At the south end of the massive, new ground there is a slight slope and the landscape company wanted to flatten it. English Heritage intervened and pointed out that part was sacred. In 1348 the Black Plague swept through England and an estimated 30 to 40% of the population died. It was caused by bacillus carried by fleas from black rats. In Wimborne, around 1,600 were buried, most of them on part of the new ground known as The Leaze.

Nearly everything went well with the move, except for signage. There are no signs to indicate where the ground is and some of the XL team were confused, driving around the old one way system before someone told them about the unmade road leading to it, a stone’s throw from the distinctive Wimborne Minster church (pictured above).

Playing cricket on a Thursday used to happen in a previous generation and one of the seniors in the Recently retired from playing cricket, this is David taking part in the Wimborne team said: “People who worked in shops and English Shooting Championships 2017 businesses used to have a half day off to play but this doesn’t happen any more.” Both sides only had ten men.

32 33 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk While Lara was revising his hour-long speech with the decision.” THE COWDREY LECTURE AT LORD’S in London an incident happened in Barbados EVERYONE SHOULD WALK, SAYS BRIAN LARA in the Caribbean Premier T20 League which Speaking on the current set-up in the Caribbean, Lara disgusted cricket lovers around the world. said that the dispute between 25-year-old left-handed of the St. and the players was destroying their cricket. “The Kitts and Nevis Patriots was on 97 off only 33 disharmony between the Board and its players is the balls needing just one to win for his side. The one cancer that I believe has affected our West Indies single would have made him the second fastest cricket over the years. When I started in 1989, I didn’t to reach a T20 century next to his teammate feel that love and unity we saw on the field, those and opening batsman Chris Gayle. high-fives. I felt when Sir took charge of the team, his relationship with the Board was a turning But Kieron Pollard, the 30 year-old captain of point in our cricket. I think that the Board considered , deliberately overstepped him to be too powerful, and they always wanted to get the batting crease by six inches to give rid of him. away a no ball which ended the match with Lewis stranded three short of his hundred. “I remembered one series in 1991, again not playing Lewis, born in Rio Claro in , said (in the team at that time). We were two weeks before philosophically: “It hurts but hitting 97 off 33 touring England. Viv said to me the selectors haven’t balls, I’d take that any day.” selected a captain. I said to him, don’t worry about it man, you know that you are sure you are going. One of our members, Gavin Scovell, was in charge of the CPL television coverage “And he was right. But as a 39-year-old, and a captain you of the tournament and he said “Absolutely never know who is gunning for you. Sir Viv got selected disgraceful. Worst thing I’ve seen on a cricket for that tour and relinquished the captaincy in England, field or village green. No captain would resort wanting to play the 1992 World Cup just as a player. to those methods.” “People talk about the Tests series we lost in 1995 that’s when we started to spiral,” said Lara, referring but I couldn’t miss a battle with . I to the defeat at home to ’s Australia, which really and fully wanted to see what this guy could brought an end to their run of being unbeaten in a Test do especially being at the top of my game. But I lost series in 15 years. “I felt we started to decline before that battle after the first Test match and meandered that even when the great players were playing. I feel Picture: Mark Bright throughout the series. the West Indies officials should have taken a different umpire to make a decision’ or ‘how many times have look into what to do about saving West Indies cricket. Brian Lara, cricket’s world record holder – the scorer I been given a bad decision? Let them do their job.’ I “In the last Test match, I got to 93 in the second At a time we had senior players who could have guided of 400 in Tests and 501 in first class cricket – delivered could never agree with that situation. I think we are innings. I pushed forward to Venkatapathy Raju and the younger players to have ensured we were on the an entertaining and passionate Cowdrey Lecture at much bigger than that.” felt a faint edge on my bat. I stayed in my position right footing moving forward. But that didn’t happen.” Lord’s on September 5 and as usual, he came up with long enough for Venkat (Venkataraghan, the umpire) to another first. He cited an incident from early in his career when say ‘not out’ but that was not the reason why I stayed he was out hit wicket in a Test against South Africa in that position. I was very disappointed. I collected Seventeen eminent cricketers have spoken in the but didn’t walk as he ‘did not know the rules fully as myself and turned my back and went off the field. annual Lecture and Lara was the first to give a a young man’ then. “In only my second Test match Never to score a hundred in India.” proper explanation of why he was one of the very against South Africa, I think was bowling. few batsmen who surrendered his wicket when he He bowled me a short ball and I flicked it. As I moved, Lara also spoke about his world record innings of 400 knew he was out. His hero Sir Garfield Sobers always I felt that my heel touched something. I ran past the against England, which remains ’s only walked and those who didn’t he called cheats. Lara bowler and he was pointing at my stumps. The umpires quadruple century. England thought they had their man claimed not enough of today’s cricketers think about met and discussed, and they decided that I wasn’t on nought, caught behind off Steve Harmison, but Lara playing the right way and observing the right values out. I accepted the umpire’s decision. But it never maintained he hadn’t felt anything on the bat. and Henry Grierson and everyone in our Club would really rested properly with me and I didn’t last long agree with that. afterwards. I told myself from that day on I wouldn’t be “He is not here tonight but if you ask I waiting for the umpire’s decision. The fielding team is think he is convinced I edged the ball on nought before Lara, 48 but looking much younger, said: “Another going to see my back.” I went on to score 400. I heard the same thing he heard thing that bothers me about the spirit of the game is but I actually didn’t feel anything on my bat. I have to batsmen not walking when they are out. I don’t see any He referred to an incident in a Test in India in 1994 be 100% sure that I am out. I also believe that Michael room for that in cricket. I cannot understand some of to back up his point when he walked even though Vaughan was given caught behind in that Test match the arguments that I hear, batsmen saying ‘there is an the umpire gave him not out. “I was very exhausted and he wasn’t very happy but we were quite satisfied Mark Nicholas, Brian Lara, Anya Shrubsole and Jonny Bairstow (Picture: Mark Bright) 34 35 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk XL 4 NATIONS CUP IN Our editor watched it from the top of the grandstand – not in my usual seat in the Media Centre – with Lourdes, HOLLAND 2017 wife of Gavin Scovell, one of our members who was LADIES DAY – TOUR OF the TV director in charge, and two friends. One of his JOYOUS SCENES AT LORD’S cameramen zoomed in on us and we were seen twice ROTTERDAM AND SPARTA on Sparta’s TV. The worldwide broadcast was watched by 200m and Instead of being transported by coach, the nine ladies 1m watched in the UK, a record for a women’s cricket escorted by Raimond and our editor journeyed by The 46th annual gathering of Forty match. Derek Brewer, the soon retired MCC secretary, car, train, metro and on foot to the centre and the Clubs from the UK, Denmark, said: “So many youngsters were here today and that will harbour of the city. And it was fascinating to see Holland and now España, held in give us a huge boost in selling the game to them. The how the local authority rebuilt the centre after it was one of the most beautiful parts atmosphere was fantastic.” almost obliterated by the Nazis’ Luftwaffe. On May 13, of Capelle aan den Ijessell, just 1940 a fleet of Junkers 87 dive bombers and Heinkel south of Rotterdam, started with The only drawback was seeing the Lord’s pavilion 111 bombers carpeted the area, destroying all but one uproarious scenes, due to a match sparsely filled with MCC members. Derek explained: of the buildings built in previous centuries. The tallest taking place 205 miles away at “The total of members was 4,000 and most of them building, St. Lawrence Church, was partially damaged Lord’s – the ICC Women’s World were in the Warner Stand.” The other 18,000 members 45-4 and the highlight of its innings of 132-5 was the but it was rebuilt in the same style. Now most of the Cup final. Everyone was watching missed being present at a moment of history. remarkable catch on the turn of Jaggi Singh to dismiss buildings are towering offices and flats. Eighty-five it on the TV in the Sparta CC Mohammed. The tournament rules said no one under 45 thousand people were made homeless and 884 (founded in 1888) pavilion. Around this time there was a row about gender. Men would be eligible and Jaggi, who comes from New Delhi civilians died. The flames spread to the oil tanks on India’s players, mostly shorter employed by the BBC were earning much more than and qualifies by residence in Valencia, is under 45. UK’s the harbour, causing a firestorm. than Heather Knight’s, were women. What happened at Lord’s strengthened the case side had two under age players and the Tournament giving away inches but were in of women, in particular England’s wicket-keeper Sarah officers took a sensible decision to waive the rule. Jaggi Around 2.6 square kilometres was devastated in command until 40 minutes before Taylor, whose amazing stumping in the semi-final against performed another amazing piece of fielding, running out Rotterdam with 24,978 homes, 24 churches, 2,320 the end. At 193-3 they needed 39 Australia bettered any by male keepers. Heather Knight’s Neil Angus. stores, 775 warehouses and 62 schools wiped out. The more runs from 44 balls and already had a hand on squad of 15 was paid £35,000 for winning the trophy. In Dutch were neutral in the WWI and its Government the trophy. Anya Shrubsole, England’s dogged medium- the ICC Champions Trophy (50 overs) earlier in the year, Ron Hart, skipper for the day, was debating whether to wanted to be in WWII, but with Hitler preparing to go pace bowler who bowls straight, then produced an each man was paid £100,000. bring himself in and when Ian Robinson was dismissed to war they armed themselves and resisted briefly astonishing transformation, snatching five wickets first ball with two balls remaining in the final over, he when the Germans invaded. The knock-out punch for 11 runs in 19 deliveries. She ended by bowling Women’s is now professional and went out, rather slowly, to the crease and took guard. came from the air. The Stuka bombers terrified the Gayakwad for a and India were dismissed for 219. anyone doubting that need only look at their fielding. Rico Phull, a medium pacer with a 12-yard run up, populace with their loud England victors by 9 runs. They attacked the ball and their to the keeper bowled at his usual speed. Ron swung his bat, missed, sirens as they hurtled was probably more accurate than the men’s. and tumbled down to the ground. Fielders came to help downwards. Delirium took over Lord’s. The earlier cheers of the him up and sportingly, none of them took off the bails, Indian supporters in the near capacity crowd of Monday July 24 (Four Nations Cup 45 overs) Ron having not been able to make his ground. In 1953 a national 25,000 were overtaken by the roars from home fans. XL España had only eight players a week or so before monument was unveiled Since Lord’s first opened at its present site in 1814 the start of the tournament and the indefatigable One hoped that Rico might bowl a slow full toss to give in the 1940 Square of a the tradition has been to clap politely, but not now. A George Wambeek signed three more, just in time. A Ron the chance to score a run in what might have been man with a hole where good proportion of the audience was young boys and cultured innings of 77 from Neil Angus and a 50 from his final appearance in the tournament. He bowled at his he should have had a girls waving banners, making loud noises with plastic Neil Canham put on 104 and XL UK’s 272-7 overcame normal pace, aimed at leg stump and Ron did a Ranji – heart. It was a symbol of clappers and waving plastic swords. Lord’s has never Espana’s 245-8. On the other, smaller, pitch SGS beautifully gliding the ball from a straight bat towards the heart of Rotterdam seen such excitement. As wickets tumbled most of the beat Dansk comfortably and batsmen of both sides the long leg boundary. He turned and completed a being ripped out by crowd were on its feet, pumping their arms over their welcomed the new sightscreens, held up by permanent second and his 2 not gave him a of 100. the Nazis and it was a heads. Some were dancing like one of those Andre Rieu rugby posts. reminder that further televised concerts. generations will never Tuesday July 25 (T20 Tournament) forget. The XL players had finished their match and joined the XK Dansk has a Peter Mortensen in their attack but throng crowding round the TV. Duco Ohm, President of they needed an Ole Mortensen. The former Derbyshire We inspected the Cube Houses which are tipped Still Going Strong, said: “It was wonderfully inspiring. Our bowler has now retired unfortunately. Ash Mohammed, to one side as it were, making three sides face the opening ceremony had to be delayed by half an hour to 60, and Jon Thornton, 55*, put on 99 and seven batsmen ground and three face the sky. The architect wanted see England winning.” weren’t required in XL’s 144-2. España were favourites to create a village in the centre without hearing the at 90-2 with their Aussie import from the Gold Coast traffic below. Clambering up and down the narrow Our Hon General Secretary Barry Aitken, writing in the Stuart Spalding going well on 48 when there was a loud mini staircases was a feat for our elderly members. In 2017 yearbook, warned that cricket may have problems appeal from Nick Heater for lbw. With Stuart out of his the UK, Health and Safety would have cancelled the ahead because of the fact that young people were ground, the bails were removed. He took the decision plans from the start. Our thoroughly enjoyable day not taking up cricket. Not now. Watching the battle in without fuss. España fell apart, only mustering 110-4, finished by having tea at the top of the Euromast. the final, dramatic overs must be ranked as cricket’s losing by 34. On the huge main ground, XL’s pairing of Trafalgar. It relit the flame. Mohammed, 29, and Thornton, 48, staged a revival from Only the cathedral stood proud after the bombardment from the Luftwaffe

36 37 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk wides) in SGS’s 274-7. Once openers David Williams, 11, Ash Mohammed. Most people in the room were being bowled by Manish, and Stuart Simkins, 4, the rest of the FIRE FAILS TO STOP honoured or given a present. THE FASCINATING batting collapsed to 111. NATURE RESERVE PLAY Friday July 27 (45 overs) In the second match SGS totalled 228 with Ross XL needed to win the Four Nations Cup for the fourth OF CAPELLE AAN DE Harmer top-scoring on 69 and Espana managed just 94 time in succession and SGS were undermined by the in 43 overs. The final day started with lots of cloud and the swing bowling of skipper Ian Robinson. Jon Hartley held IJSSEL temperature was distinctly chilly so the volunteers a sensational diving catch at 5-2 despite suffering from started an open log fire in the pavilion without a a sore back. A strong crossfield wind aided Ian and his guard. When SGS lost their fifth wicket an upright log 3-27 was the match-winning performance. Peter Owens The four competing squads were billeted in the tumbled onto the floor near plastic bags. Craig, the also exploited the conditions with 2-27 and both of his highly rated Nieuwerkirk Hotel built on land three carer of Nathan Bradley, one of XL’s valiant scorers, wickets were stumpings by Stuart Faulkner. One SGS metres below sea level in a nature reserve. In the raced over and picked up the burning log and placed player failed to arrive in time and they came off at 105-9. beautifully decorated dining room there are three it back on the fire, sideways on. Someone asked if he XL only took 25.3 overs to win by seven wickets. Neil large, 24-inch inlets in a wall containing artificial Red had burnt his hand and he said: “Maybe, but I have Angus, 40*, was the top-scorer. Admiral butterflies. One member of the Dutch team a lot of experience in these matters.” Nathan suffers said: “We understand butterflies have disappeared in from cerebral palsy but he is able to get around the Jan Willem Heshusius presented Ian with the glass England. They have migrated to Holland after hearing country scoring matches thanks to his carers. He is trophy and said cheekily: “They always win and we play about Brexit.” an excellent scorer and is hoping to score in Minor the cricket!” In the second match Dansk got off the floor County matches this summer. and beat an understandably tired España who had had a Most of the many canals and waterways near the late night! Sparta multi sports club are covered by a green coloured algae known as duckweed. “It can be dangerous,” said a Dutch wife. “Children think they Thursday July 27 (T20) can walk on it and fall in. Fortunately as the winter SGS’s Amin Kasam took his career total to 772 wickets begins the duckweed disappears and the water is then as XL struggled to 123-3 and went down to a one run clean.” A restaurant owner told us that duckweed is defeat. In the other match España knocked up 197-3, with used as a spice in the making of Indian food. Told that, Stuart Simkins scoring 106* and confirming himself as one or two stopped eating their curries. the Batsman of the Tournament. He and David Williams, 50* put on 136 for the fourth wicket. Dansk was soon The outstanding sight of the tour was seeing a dozen crushed. swans slowly and sedately going along a green covered waterway, like Admiral Nelson’s men o’ war There were tumultuous celebrations at the banquet at Trafalgar. It is a captivating part of the world. Ducks later reminding us of the scenes at Lord’s on Sunday wander on to the narrow roads and ponies, sheep, as España, mainly comprised of retired Englishmen racing horses, herons and flamingoes can be seen. who qualify by residence, were awarded the new There is no shortage of water obviously. T20 trophy. John Braithwaite was the first to take to the dance floor and others joined in, even doing an An addition to the club which features rugby, football, energetic conga. Rob Dhonday, a 65-year-old SGS korfball and baseball is the construction of an indoor playing member, didn’t attend. He was getting married cricket hall, mainly built by volunteers of the petanque on the same day. All-rounder of the tournament was club aged from 65 to 80. A design fault soon appeared in the roof and the solar heating has almost turned it into a sauna because the temperature is 35C or more. A thought: Why don’t English sports clubs go multi purpose and not just concentrate on one sport?

Wednesday July 26 (Four Nations Cup) Another memorable achievement occurred on the hottest day of the week. Coming in at eight, Manish Mourjani smashed two towering sixes and one landed 2018 TOURNAMENT IS IN KOEGE, DENMARK on the pavilion roof 110 yards away. Sparta don’t have a recorder of distance – IPL pioneered it some years ago – but their officials were pretty certain that it was 110 The hosts Dansk XL have chosen Koege, a town of 60,000 population half an hour from Copenhagen, The Cromwell yards. It won him a crate of beer, quickly consumed after Hotel is on the Baltic and has a sandy beach. The dates for the tournament are July 22-27. the game ended. Manish only had time to make 36 off 17 balls, a strike rate of 211.76. There were 46 extras (32

38 39 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk ONE OF OUR BEST AND MOST ENJOYABLE TOURS

St Johns: the welcome group

It is Thursday February 22 and our tour ended Other memories will stick with us for less pleasant yesterday. As we tourists sit this morning at our reasons – the traffic, the queues and the occasionally desks or kitchen tables, surrounded no doubt by manic driving in our coach, the air pollution in Kandy, a collection of small elephants and tins of black four men in a tuk tuk [and being stopped by the Ceylon tea, courtesy of Connaissance De Ceylan, police as a result!] contemplating a myriad of photos from Sri Lanka, we can reflect on the joys and experiences of the We played eight games, beating Manipay Parish stumped once: but he never stopped trying and giving Last year Michael was part of a sponsored bike ride past 12 days. Sports Club by 14 runs (35 overs); losing to St John’s 100 per cent in the field. and he will be raising further funds again this year. College by 7 wickets (T20); losing to the Johnians He is indefatigable in his efforts to help this hospital. Some things will pleasurably stand out – the good (T20) also by 7 wickets; beating Old Kurunegala (40 The Forty Club has now toured Sri Lanka four times This was a very moving visit: one of the highlights of weather, the beautiful countryside as we journeyed overs) by 145 runs; beating Kandy Seniors (40 overs) in recent memory, so will doubtless be considering the cricket tour and a real eye-opener to the results of up and down to Jaffna, the manners, hospitality, by 153 runs; beating the Connaissance De Ceylan XI other destinations. It is a wonderful place for cricket neglect and 30 years of war, and the fantastic efforts generosity and courtesy of the people, some (40 overs) by 51 runs; losing to Gampaha District XI and off the field activities and will always bring joy to of those trying to recover the situation. wonderful cricket grounds, the tour party which (40 overs) by 118 runs; and finally losing to the Old many a tourist. gelled so well, the desperate but slowly improving Peterites XI (30 overs) by 50 runs. Played 8 won 4 ______state of the hospital at Manipay, three in a tuk tuk. lost 4, so not a bad performance as XL tours go! All in all we amassed 1549 runs, took 62 wickets, hit The Green Memorial Hospital is a non-profit 14 sixes – mainly by Aasif Sheikh – and bowled 54 hospital in Manipay, Sri Lanka. It was founded by wides. There were 32 dismissals achieved by an Dr Samuel Fisk Green in 1848. It is a charitable XL fielder, including the keeper. We won’t mention hospital run by Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South dropped catches! India. This hospital was the first medical school in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and was used by Dr. Green to 14 cricketers toured, plus two scorers and two train more than 60 locals as doctors during his 30-year umpires and four lovely ladies. Overseas member tenure in Ceylon as part of the American Ceylon Mission. from Saudi Arabia Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 244 In the middle of the 20th century, it was a state-of-the- runs from eight innings, followed by Jon Thornton art medical institution that served the rich and the poor [239], also from eight, then Sam Gunaratne with 189 alike. It is no longer considered to be a premier medical runs from six, Michael Arnold 153 from five, and Chris institution in Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka. Wright with 114 from seven. Martin Southwell was the stand-out bowler with 17 wickets from 43 overs Two local Manipay boys, brothers Dr Jayantha Arnold in eight games including one five-wicket haul, and a and Mr Anandan Arnold, discovered their childhood four-wicket haul. Next came John Lodge with eight hospital closed and abandoned in 2004. Jayantha, wickets from seven games, then Rob Nelson with a senior consultant in Gastroenterology at Ealing seven from five, followed by Adrian Fawden, Howard Hospital, and Anandan, a senior consultant with BKK Clay and Chris Wright all with six. Unluckiest player Chartered Accountants, decided to do something of the tour could be Charlie Nelson, who played in about it and their fund-raising efforts are being seven games, scoring a total of 64 runs and taking vigorously supported by XL member Michael Arnold. John Lodge congratulated by Sam Gunaratne three wickets, but also being run out three times and

40 41 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk LUXEMBOURG 2017 DUBAI 2017 A WEEKEND’S CRICKET IN LUXEMBOURG SUCCESS ON THE LAST BALL

A chance meeting in Malta between two cricketers Paul Bradley is again the XL organiser for this event Our ageing but optimistic athletes honed their fitness resulted in the Forty Club being invited to send an and the Margate Mafia – Ian Robinson, Neil Canham for seven matches in the UAE in the Metropolitan Hotel XI to Luxembourg for a weekend in August 2017. and Stuart Faulkner – will be helping him deliver a gym and in the first match faced our old friends from Consequently an XL tour party of just 11 players, really good event for our guests to enjoy. Darjeeling CC, the second oldest cricket club in the shepherded by Paul Bradley, enjoyed a very good Middle East (founded in 1964) in a 25-over match at and successful trip to Luxembourg for the weekend one of two ICC ovals in Dubai, shortly after Hong Kong of 17th to 20th August. The triangular event, had thrashed Papua New Guinea on the same pitch. organised and hosted by the Optimists CC included XL and SGS and was based on 25 over matches. Gary Neicho (5 for 19 including a stunning return catch) soon reduced Darjeeling to 36 for 6. In order not to XL comfortably won their opening match against appear too good for our standard of cricket, Gary, in a The Optimists by 47 runs on the Saturday and then champagne moment and noble gesture of solidarity, on the Sunday easily beat the SGS XI by 94 runs. then steadied himself under an easy catch in the covers and at the last moment dived away from the Our thanks to Graham Cope and all his Optimists ball, allowing it to plop to earth alongside his prostrate helpers who organised and hosted such an superb body. Darjeeling subsequently recovered to 162-8 and weekend and we look forward to this Invitational XL commenced a slow plod to nowhere, finishing on Cricket Tournament being repeated in 2018 when 112-5 including three maidens, with our opponents (and an Optimists XI and an SGS XI will travel to apparently most of our batsmen) under the impression Margate CC and XL will host the cricket over the that we were holding out for a draw. weekend 17th to 19th of August. After the match Robert Smith cautioned the tour party and Kyle Bradley (50) built a base for us to achieve a on the danger of “inappropriate behaviour” bringing thrilling last ball victory, somehow turning what should the club into disrepute, as in the worlds of politics and have been a single into a three thanks to chaotic the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, as feared, overthrows, this after Jon Hartley had revived our chase an epidemic of groping afflicted us throughout the with 17 off 7 balls including our only six of the tour. tour – mainly outside off stump and at thin air, as easy catches fell to earth. Some members were even Mercedes Benz CC, again at Dubai Stadium, were spotted attempting to emulate their Westminster determined to avenge their two previous defeats to peers in the Barasti bar at 2am one morning. “a bunch of old men”, rather overdoing it by drafting in opening batsman Mujeeb, who smashed 100 in We performed much better in our second match at about 20 overs, so this was a disappointing mismatch. , Ajman, where Visions CC just chased We went on to enjoy our final game on a lush green down our 213-6 with 9 wickets down. Steve King and oval next to the main Abu Dhabi stadium. Nigel Charlie Nelson scored half centuries and Gary Neicho Buckingham-Jones and Martin Southwell bowled (4 for 25) was again dangerous with the ball. We tightly, but we then allowed the Abu Dhabi Gents to drew our third match against Young Talent Academy accelerate from 80-2 off 20 overs to 254 all out in a at a new ground in the desert, where Jon Thornton 40-over game. The Gents’ captain, having assessed (pictured above) supplemented a steady 50 with an our static fielding for five or six overs, appeared amazing catch to dismiss the boys’ star batsman. so concerned that he summoned an ambulance, though he later spared our blushes by claiming The fourth match was declared a dishonourable draw that the ambulance company was the club sponsor. after we dropped Warriors CC’s opener at least five Unfortunately we got nowhere near the target, again times in his 85, and ended up, despite Rob Nelson’s appearing to bat for a draw in an overs match, despite 3-23, with 256 to chase by the 8pm cut-off time. We valiant efforts by Kyle Bradley (out “tit before wicket”) got nowhere near, Steve King carrying his bat through and Jon Thornton. a 33-over “net” for 54* in our paltry 126-5. Many thanks yet again to tour organisers Hasan Jafri Against Cric22 CC at Dubai Stadium we surprisingly and Rob Nelson, to our umpires Barry Aitken and caught a few catches and faced a target of 185 in 35 Tony Fare, and to scorers Alan Jones and Nathan, overs. Despite the usual slow start and some ill-judged who amazingly never dropped off to sleep when XL nepotism in the , Jon Thornton (63) were batting. The winning team in Luxembourg with Paul Bradley holding the trophy, and, above, Nigel Angus showing the full face of the bat.

42 43 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk DISTRICT REPORTS of the game. Sadly the momentum couldn’t be continued range of our members’ talents. Of the ten games, four and although we gave it our best shot on a dark and were wins, with two affected by rain. dreary day, we were 73 runs short when the last wicket fell with one ball remaining. As usual, the first fixture was against Warwick School, EAST MIDLANDS (Peter Mason) normally a tough and one-sided game, so we decided to bring in a couple of guest players. One was the Hagley At the end of another season we overseas signing Zaine Welsh. With a 35-over win/lose have enjoyed one which, on balance, format agreed, WM batted first but found themselves has been successful and enjoyable. in all sorts of trouble on 87-7 in the 22nd over. This In summary, of the 17 matches brought Welsh to the middle to play his first innings arranged we played 14, won 7, lost in the UK and after a patient start he began to move 5, drew 2 and cancelled 3. Overall, the score along before he was out for 44. Batting at 11, more matches were won than lost, Andrew Dellow (26) then joined Steve Docker (15*) for only 3 matches cancelled (two due the final five overs and added 42 more runs and setting to rain, one to the opposition). In a healthy target of 187. The school’s openers Afzal and addition, 5 new members joined Yates made a steady start but at the halfway point they and 35 guests experienced Forty Club cricket. Hopefully, had only reached 54-1. The rate improved when Steve many of them will join and become regular players in Dellow took the second wicket, but they still needed the future. 75 runs off seven overs. Yates reached 100 when he was caught off the last ball of the match, falling to the Special thanks are due to our three overseas guests, bowling of Welsh, who finished with figures of 7-3-18-2. Ruve Leow, and Henro Pike, both South Africans, and The school ended up 11 runs short, giving WM their first Tom Ramage from Sydney, whose mother is a Scot. They win for a number of years. were major contributors in the matches in which they played and helped ensure that we had both a full side At Shrewsbury School it was another chilly fixture, as well as one able to compete with school sides of the although no snow showers this year. Skipper Andy greatest quality. We are aware that these fixtures are Robertson (31) held the middle order together and precious and we must provide meaningful opposition to declared on 160-5 after 37 overs. Shrewsbury were in retain them. early trouble when Welsh removed Kenyon-Smith (0) with his second ball but Cowburn (40) and Atkin (50) put It was good to see that several members from adjoining on 99 before Ifzal Akhtar quickly reduced them to 102-3. New chariman Andy Robertson says: “I was born in 1971 districts came to play for us, most notably Paul Shepherd Tom Ramage, one of our guest players However the school passed the target in the 32nd over in Ashburton, in New Zealand’s South Island. I played with 12 appearances, more than many of our EM to win by six wickets. A very enjoyable and competitive representative cricket for Ashburton County through members. His season’s total of 446 runs frequently We are already planning for the coming season and game rounded off by the very generous hospitality in the all the junior sides progressing to the Minor Counties provided the backbone of our innings and we were have been invited to play a two-day match at Barlaston Headmaster’s house. senior side at 18. In 1992 I moved to Christchurch and delighted to have him with us so often. He was our top CC near Stoke to celebrate their 150th anniversary on played for High School Old Boys CC, which was the run-scorer and could also be relied upon to bring a guest August 20-21. It promises to be a special occasion and I WM batted first at King Henry’s School in Coventry Hadlee club. I was lucky enough to play with Shane or two when needed. am delighted to be the Match Manager for the day. and our middle order sagged to 65-5 in the 19th over. Bond, and Geoff Allott to name a few... I However, the Earlswood overseas player Matt Edwards even opened the bowling with Sir Richard! In 2002, I Ruve Leow, who had come from the Cape to keep wicket The Project Front Foot appeal for junior cricket clothing (35) pulled things together, then Ifzal Akhtar (42) and Jon had fallen out of love with cricket and wanted a season for his club near Mansfield, became our top bowler! A equipment and clothing to go to the slum districts in Hartley (17) took the total to 172-9 after 50 overs. KHS’s in England before I hung up my boots. I played three real all-rounder! Richard Saltmarsh also regularly drove India was well supported yet again and is ongoing. Chatta almost won the game when he was dismissed on fabulous years at Ealing in the Middlesex League before from St. Ives to play for us and was a willing lower/ It is greatly appreciated by all concerned and I will 86 by Grahame Wilde, with score on 145-4 but the school moving to Winchmore Hill and on to the groundstaff middle-order batsman and took some useful wickets. once again happily be the collecting point for the East went on to win by four wickets in the 37th over. at Harrow School. I trekked North for a season at Yes, you did read that correctly, he drove from St. Ives Midlands. Let me know if you have anything. The smaller Harrogate CC before five seasons at Bradford league but not the town in Cornwall, the one in Cambridgeshire! the better. Next stop was Bloxham School where the weather side, Yeadon, followed. Now settled in Worcester, I have forecast wasn’t good. After a hearty lunch in the School played Worcester League for Pershore and now play This year’s Top School in the East Midlands was refectory, Nick Jelley (12) and James Pyatt (32) made a Birmingham Premier League for Ombersley CC. I’m Wellingborough, who won when we were winning at a WEST MIDLANDS (Steve Dellow) start with the bat. But after 14 overs, they retreated to the groundsman at The Elms School in Colwall, in the canter. So much for our experience! More to the point, the pavilion as the rain set in. The match was abandoned shadow of the Malverns.” great credit to the school, who never gave up. Defeat was We enjoyed a good summer of with WM on 72-3. definitely grasped from the clutches of victory as we fixtures with only one lost to target of 212, the school went for the runs and were all succumbed by 17 runs with two overs remaining. the weather. There was a small We made a first visit to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. out just 20 runs short with Oliver Jones taking 6-21 off expansion to the range of sides that Since the opposition was drawn from lower age groups, his six overs. A very enjoyable game, and we have been It was disappointing to lose our ID match after scoring we play against, and the hope is that this was an opportunity to extend the opportunity to invited back for 2018. 263 in 40 overs but chasing 335 was a bridge too far on this can continue next season. The play to a wider range of members. Skipper Sam Raza the day. At one stage, when we were 127 for none after idea is that we can ultimately offer balanced the side perfectly and Nigel Goodger (46) and The fixture against Old Swinford Hospital School was 20 overs with both openers going well, we were ahead games that accommodate the full Oliver Jones, 49*, batted in idyllic settings. Not fazed by a lost to the weather, so Tettenhall College became

44 45 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk the next venue. The school has always been very and good wins at Morrison’s and Gordonstoun. Scotland District. Our first match was completed enthusiastic about our fixture and are fabulous hosts. SCOTLAND (Colin Neill) In all 84 players represented the District, including 16 on May 20 against Eastern Counties. It was played With only a limited pool of players, their standard making their first appearance, and a huge thank you at Harrogate CC, who were excellent hosts, and we isn’t the highest so it was another occasion to recruit Season 2017 was the most to all that did. defeated them by 21 runs, a fine 67 by Dinesh Bailwal elderly WM faces. Once again, Sam Raza’s selection ambitious yet undertaken by the platform of our 212-7. In reply the Eastern Counties was a good match for their opposition. Batsmen Ali the Scotland District. Forty-two The leading run scorer was Kevin Lawler who scored were bowled out for 190. Man of the match Bailwal Baber (35), Nigel Goodger (40), and Mark Showqat (45) matches were planned, including 433 runs in 13 innings with a highest score of 85* and took 3-16. We had a walk over in the next round, which scored useful runs, with WM being bowled out for 189. a new fixture against Kelso CC, the at an average of 61.86. Twenty four 50s were recorded set up a semi-final against Surrey and West Sussex. The College struggled and only number ten batsman oldest surviving club in Scotland. by 17 different players and during the season runs Unfortunately weather put paid to that and we went Billinsgley (34) achieved any success, hitting eight There were also matches against were not hard to come by. through on the toss of a coin to face Wales in the final. boundaries. They were all out for 98 in just 25 overs. the touring Australian 60s and Again poor weather caused a cancellation and with no the Dutch Roosters. The season Wickets on the other hand were a little trickier. Our further dates available it was decided that Wales and As usual, it was a high-quality game at Kings started in fair weather and the first 15 matches were regular bowlers are getting older and although line Scotland would share the trophy. Grammar School, Worcester. Skipper Andy Robertson played without interruption, BUT the back end of the and length isn’t a problem, penetration is. We are was 87 not out and declared on 205-5. With a late season was badly hit by rain with five of the last eight relying more on catches now than penetrative bowling. withdrawal before the game by one of our bowlers, matches cancelled. That being said, Iain Redmond took 18 wickets at 15.56, we had to field with 10 and the school took advantage. including four outstanding caught and bowled victims. Despite losing wickets, KGS kept up with the rate In all were able to complete 32 matches with 14 wins There were two five wicket hauls, George Hadden reaching 209-6, winning by four wickets. 9 losses and 9 draws, which included two ties! against Gordonstoun, 5-4, and Naveed Hussain against The High School of Glasgow, 6-6. WM finally played their first IDT game at the end of July, after NE forfeited the previous round scheduled In the field some outstanding catches were more than for May. A quarter-final against Wales at Ombersley offset by dropping some sitters. No one was exempt CC was set to be a tough challenge and a strong and it was surprising to see some of our safer hands team started to come together in the weeks leading shelling some simple opportunities. As has been up. However, drop-outs right up to the morning of the reported earlier Reddo took some fantastic catches game caused headaches. The reliable Andy Robertson off his own bowling, Colin Neill took a screamer at (82) and Eral Anderson (95*) put on 130 with WM Morrison’s, as did Jonno Campbell. John Cameron finishing on 220-3. A tight opening spell from Sunny was top fielder with nine catches but even he was Vyakaranam, conceding just 15 runs off his 8 overs, butterfingered in a couple of games. Alex Steele, helped restrict the reply to 69-1 at the halfway stage. although 76, is still one of our keenest players. Alex However, with the intended change bowlers missing played 16 games, keeping wicket in each one and from our team, runs began to flow. A total of 150 ending up with 14 victims, 5 caught and 9 stumped. runs came off just 16 overs as Cox (101*) and Bartle When Alex wasn’t available Kevin Lawler stepped into Got him! (100*) hammered the ball to all corners to take them the breach and he finished with 8 victims, 2 caught emphatically into the next round. and 6 stumped.

The final game was a new fixture played against the There was a first match at Kelso CC. Kelso was formed There was also a first this season when on two Jewellery Quarter CC, a team full of youngsters from in 1821 and we were delighted to accept a fixture with occasions we put out two sides on the same day. This the legal profession. With the match being played on a them for the first time. Batting first they posted 185-6, included two school games half a mile apart where 23 Sunday afternoon at Norton Lindsey & Wolverton CC with two balls remaining the Forty Club were 177–5 Forty Club members, three umpires and two scorers took near Warwick, it was rewarded with a sunny day. The with Brendon Hillyard and Bob Angus at the crease, part. I wasn’t sure it would work but it did and I have to visitors had reached a creditable 188 when both teams Bob hit one to the boundary that pulled up just short thank all of those who made themselves available. retired to enjoy what is widely acknowledged as the but instead of taking three he turned down the third best village tea in the district! WM openers Nick Jelley run. Just as well as he deposited the last ball into the September is usually a fantastic month for weather in (32) and James Pyatt (67 retired) managed to drag long grass to secure the tie! Scotland but of the seven matches arranged only three themselves away from the cakes to deliver a strong took place, Crathie, Rossie Priory and Glendelvine, and reply. Conor Green (51 retired) pushed the score further We also had two excellent games with two touring all were great games. towards the target, which was reached in the 34th over. sides – the CGT Roosters from Holland and we had a Ronnie goes large It was enjoyed by our opposition, who have insisted on warm-up game, for them, with the Australian 60s. Both It was a fantastic season, hopefully enjoyed by all a rematch in 2018. good games, but more importantly great banter and regular and new members, all guests and potentially friendship after the match. new members and all the teams that we played The conclusion of the season saw the unfortunate Twelve school matches were played with 4 wins, 3 against. As usual our umpires Duncan Walker, Bruce resignation of the District Chairman, but he thanks draws, 5 losses and 1 cancellation. Some great games The East regained the Jingles Trophy with Patrick Dixon, Mac Wylie, Jim McClymont, Colin Dawson, David the players for their enthusiasm during his two – last-over losses to Glasgow Academy, Glenalmond Druce winning the Man of the Match. However there Mudie and Howard Garden, supported us fantastically years in the job. Special thanks for the great support and Hutcheson’s GS were book-ended by easy wins at was a little good-natured controversy over the on the field. Scorers Allan Baxter, Colin Dawson, Robert given by John Tunbridge and Sam Raza during Kelvinside Academy and the High School of Glasgow. geographical eligibility of the team selections. Fleming and Bobby Kettleborough balanced the books this period. There were draws against Fettes, Merchiston and and last but not least Cammie Munro has recorded for Loretto with further losses at Strathallan and Dollar The ID tournament was a strange affair for the posterity season 2017 on his trusty camera.

46 47 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Jones, who has kindly agreed to take over from me. I eventually taking 4-55 although the College went on for them: and in a combined EC/EM/NE game vs The hope he receives the same support from Rob Nelson to win by four wickets with two overs remaining. XL Outcasts CC, the result was again a major defeat. and all other Match Managers which I have enjoyed were put in by Leighton Park and Jon Thornton was over the last ten years or so. again in fine form, scoring an excellent 95. He was The 2018 season will be all about recruiting new well supported by Andrew Stokes, 76, in a second players, lowering the player age a little, and showing wicket partnership of 115 in our 232-3 declared. The the cricketing enthusiasts in the NE that the Forty Club school openers replied with a partnership of 94 and means business. We have some fantastic fixtures at were ahead of the run rate by the time the last 20 some great venues and we want cricketers to come and overs started and although they ended up eventual play enjoyable, decent cricket with us. This season we winners on 233-6 there were only eight balls of the are going to get on the front foot! match remaining.

One of the strangest matches of the season was Not convinced.... EASTERN COUNTIES (Robert Smith) against Dauntsey’s School where we batted first and scored 256-6 with Chris Graham scoring 126 and Mike Scotland’s hard work was recognised by Cricket Eastern Counties enjoyed a Adamson a rapid 49 before the declaration came. At Scotland, whose chairman Tony Brian sent this mixed season, which is to say it the break between innings the coach indicated to our message: was enjoyable but as usual we captain that he thought we had scored far too many were better in the bar than on runs and had spoilt the game, which was odd as we “I am delighted formally to confirm that the Eve the field of play. We started with have previously declared in matches with similar Maudsley Trophy, donated by a win over Wesley College Old scores and where the schools won. An early wicket for fair play, has been awarded to the XL Club for Boys thanks to Jonathan Woods’ Robert has retired as EC chairman and Nigel fell but that was it for the rest of the match as the 2017. This is in recognition of the club’s great work brilliant century, but were well Buckingham-Jones (above) has taken over. Nigel batsmen made no real effort to try and win and apart in spreading the cricket message to schools and beaten by 6 wickets by Bedford was born in Derby on July 7, 1967 and is a right-hand from playing a few shots in the last four overs while smaller clubs – and always in the true cricketing spirit. Modern despite Andrew Short’s batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He says adding another 36 runs to their eventual score of 182-1 This selection of the recipient is carried out by the miracle catch to dismiss the school’s star batsman “Still (fairly) active on the cricket field, spending with W. Thomas on 100* and R. Patel on 68* and with Domestic Officials Committee of Cricket Scotland.” on 99, and then had a winning draw at Wisbech, most Saturdays playing for Waresley lst X1 in the no chance of a result for either side both teams shook thanks to Jack Anglberger’s century ably supported Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire PL Whitling hands with three overs to go and the game ended in a by Bob Milne’s 72 not out. It looked as if Matt Catley and Partners Division One. For my sins, I also play draw. It was a great shame as we felt the school would NORTH EAST (Anthony D Sheppard) (80) – that’s runs, not years – was leading us to a hockey for St. Neots during the winter, which again have probably won, resulting in a much better match stunning victory against Kings Ely but he then fell, takes up most of my Saturdays. When not running all round. There were ten fixtures on the NE card caught by the school’s 17-year-old star fielder, the around (it has been likened more to a brisk walk) on and we managed to play six of them, only girl in the team, so we had to settle for a draw. a sports field I enjoy reading and gardening as well due in large part to our difficulty finding We then lost a great ID game against Scotland in as helping with the grandchildren. enough players and, on one occasion, Harrogate, a match which swung one way and due to the weather. But the spirit was then the other. We lost to Forest School but beat strong and with the help of associate Woodbridge and would have beaten Parmiter’s SOUTH (Derek Candy) members, guests and friends, we School had rain not intervened. Nigel Gadsby (84) fielded sides on those six occasions. played a lone hand against Haileybury but we The season began at Reddam performed well against Langley School, getting the College where we were once again Ashville College was our closest contest when we better of a draw. Highlights of the season were Jim inserted on a damp pitch on which performed pretty well and just fell short by four runs! We Keys’ stunning 136 against Loughton whom we beat all our batsmen struggled with the were chasing 170, after Sheppard had taken 3 for 26 from by 95 runs and a great social game against Stuart exception of Jon Thornton, who 8 overs, but despite a good 46 from Hopkinson and 45 Spalding’s Southern Hemisphere Owls at Waresley, scored a very patient 47 out of our from Sedgley, we just failed to get our noses in front. Still which we won thanks to half centuries from Paul total of 79. The College batsmen ’n all it was a good day’s cricket which we felt the boys Shepherd and Michael Arnold. also struggled and although they were eventual enjoyed as much as we did. We lost to Pocklington School winners they lost eight wickets in the process, with by four wickets, and Hymers College managed to hang The season finished with our Essex Riviera tour in John Hawkins taking 3-19. Our score was a slight on for a draw just three runs short of the target despite deepest UKIP territory, where Steve Warman’s 53 improvement on the previous season when we only In the second club match of the season at Premier Norman’s best efforts taking 4 for 44 and achieving a fine helped us to the better of a draw against Frinton, scored 64 on a similar surface and the College also League Basingstoke in August, we arrived at the run out of their top scorer. despite Pat Patel’s 99 for the opposition. The lost eight wickets in chasing down our total. ground having driven through heavy rain and following day Steve Marsh destroyed Long Melford’s expecting the match to be called off and were At Woodhouse Grove School we were the stronger on the bowling with a brutal knock of 70 with five sixes The next two fixtures were high scoring-affairs, which surprised to find the covers off and the groundsman day and posted our only victory of the season. We had and seven fours. Unfortunately our final game almost went the distance against Winchester College marking out the pitch. After a delay of 15 minutes set the target of 272 for 8, with van der Merve (69), Pilling against Two Counties at Mistley was “stormed off”. and Leighton Park School. At Winchester we posted the game got underway but with only 19 overs gone (60) and Quirk (43) all beefing up our total and then 246-5 declared with Mike Ruffell scoring an excellent heavy rain fell and the groundstaff and players bowled well to dismiss the school for 113. The last two This completes my stint as Eastern Counties District 108. Their openers were soon in T20 mode and put brought the covers on and an early lunch was taken. games of our season were not our best. The Yorkshire Chairman; as I have moved to Holland to escape on 102 for the first wicket and were making steady After a further delay of an hour, play resumed with Gents put us to the sword and we were far too weak Brexit I am now handing over to Nigel Buckingham- progress until John Hawkins made the breakthrough, the match reduced to 45 overs a side. More heavy

48 49 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk easy victory was not to be. The boys refused to be rain stopped play again with the Basingstoke score We were scheduled to host two visiting teams this KENT / EAST SUSSEX (Cliff Hayward) overawed. Their running between the wickets was on 181-7 with Graham Jones taking 3-44 and Julian year. The first were the Southern Hemisphere Owls, good and the occasional bad ball was put away. Ballinger 3-53. Once again the covers were on and who we played at Newport CC in June; although we 2017 was a much better season Nor were the batsmen overawed by the banter that an early tea taken after which the captains agreed lost, it was a good match and enjoyed by everyone. for the District with more games flowed freely. Indeed, it seemed the school would to reduce the match to 35 overs per side. The Forty The second was the annual match against the MCC, played and won. Our playing escape with a draw. Cliff Hayward prised out a Club, now batting under a cloudless sky, started badly, which we should have played at Neyland CC in August. record was as follows – played wicket and there were still two wickets left to take losing our opener to the first ball and with our total Sadly, it rained; it was a shame that we couldn’t play, 23, won 10, drawn 2, lost 4 when the final over started. He bowled and another on 48-6, things were not going well. There followed as some of the players had travelled a long way. cancelled 7, plus the ID match good catch by Hainsworth and a clean bowled with a partnership of 96 between Julian Ballinger, 66, and against Surrey, in which we four balls remaining earned a very hard-fought Steve Dummer, 35*, and while these two were at the The highlight of our season was the Inter District managed to come second. win for the Forty Club. A great advert for the game, crease a win looked on, but with the dismissal of Cup. In our first match, we played the West Midlands school and the club. Ballinger the run rate dropped and XL ended up 13 at Ombersley CC and fielded first. Their innings was It started at Sutton Valence where runs short with the match ending in a draw on 168-8. notable for two big partnerships, 63 for the second we were beaten quite comprehensively with only Rob We also played a few club and touring teams during I cannot thank Basingstoke CC, the groundsman and wicket and 141 for the third, with Eral Anderson Warne 53 and Jon Thornton 32* making double figures the season. We played the Southern Hemisphere the captain enough for the tremendous effort they (95*) and Andy Robertson (82) scoring the bulk of in a score of 138 and the school reaching their target Owls from New Zealand at Dulwich and the British made to firstly get the match on as they do not have their runs in an innings of 220-3. The Welsh bowing with the loss of one wicket. The next game at Alleyn’s Tamils at Wickham Park, plus a great game at roll-on covers and for the hard work needed to drag honours were shared amongst the team, with Leighton was played in the rain, sleet, snow, sunshine and wind Streatham and Marlborough. In all of these games we the covers on and off the square six times during the O’Connor (1-22) being the pick. which we won for the first time in nine years with came out on top. match when it would have been easier to cancel or Stuart Faulkner hitting 44 in tough conditions. abandon the match. The highlight of the Welsh reply was an unbroken On the availability front we struggled at times to stand of 155 for the second wicket between Mark Cox Dover College was a special game this year as there get players due to either work or other cricketing The weather in the South was kinder than in previous (101*) and Kelvin Bartle (100*). Both batsmen reached was an award, The David Hamilton Trophy, for the commitments during the season. However, I would years with only one match cancelled and one their centuries with a six, and it’s possibly the first school’s player of the match, determined by the two like to thank all my Match Managers who do a sterling abandoned. We played 10 matches and although we time that two Welsh batsmen have scored centuries in umpires and presented by one of David’s daughters. job getting teams out. It is not easy and I thank you did not win a game, we did draw three games and an IDC match. David sadly passed away in 2016 and the family for your continued support and enjoyment of the posted some good scores in the other matches and wanted to do something in memory of him. The Forty game. I would also like to thank the officials who have without some generous declarations on our part, we Our semi-final was against NW at Oswestry CC where Club batted first and scored 233-3 and in reply the helped us out throughout the year – John Widgery may well have won more games. we were asked to field. The star of their innings was College were bowled out for 32 with Ian Robinson and Norman Jones for umpiring and our scorers Clinton Perren who scored 156* (out of 249) and took taking 3-3 and yours truly 6-6…… with a bad knee. Andrew Jones and Peter Wiseman. part in two big partnerships whilst doing so. The Bethany School are currently trying to bring cricket WALES (Philip Stallard) best Welsh bowlers were Andrew Herbert (1-27) and back to the school and we obliged, agreeing to play Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to Leighton Walters (1-59). Wales lost an early wicket, but 35-over games until they can strengthen the school’s congratulate Jon Thornton on getting 1000 runs in the I begin this report by thanking several big partnerships took the score to 227 for five. cricket. Rob Warne scored 63 and Stuart Faulkner was season; he joins Carl Openshaw in the Hall of Fame. Peter Owens, my predecessor as Although several quick wickets brought the score to 91* when we posted 212-3. Paul Fielding, 4-26, John Chairman, for all his hard work for 239 for seven, the lower order stayed calm and saw Hawkins, 2–9 and old boy Tim Golds, 2-9, bundled out the District over the past 25 years. Wales home by three wickets. the boys for 89. SURREY / WEST SUSSEX (Richard Bennett) His contribution has been excellent and we all owe him a lot of thanks Both matches were fine adverts for Forty Club cricket, St Dunstan’s College was our nomination as District The stark facts are that we were for this. I’m personally very grateful and the players should be congratulated for this. The winners. Irrespective of the result, we had seen scheduled to play 15 matches of for his support this year. welcome and support we had at both clubs should enough on and off the pitch to confirm the warmth which we won 5, drew 2, lost 5 also be recognised. and respect in which the school held the fixture. and had 3 cancelled owing to During last winter, we revised our fixture list, which At lunch, the Headmaster made a brief address. poor weather. Concealed behind sadly meant that some of the long-standing fixtures Sadly, we were unable to play the final against He reminded us that although he was no great those numbers are the details of have (hopefully temporarily) been dropped for this Scotland because it rained on the date that we’d sportsman, he believed very strongly in the role another typical cricket season year. However, they have been replaced by some new agreed, so a shared victory resulted. sport can play in a young person’s development, with its own array of high points ones, some in areas where we haven’t played before; particularly when faced by the challenges posed by and disappointments. In the school this will continue for 2018. We have also increased Finally, I must thank several people for their support the Forty Club. He also mentioned that so keen were games, we played 6, won 2, lost 3 and drew 1. The our membership during the year, and have attracted during the season. I’ve already mentioned Peter Owens, the boys to play, that one parent had collected three season’s opener was, as usual, at St John’s. This was several younger players, some from new areas and we but I must also thank Phil Haines, who has been a great of them from an outward-bound course in Dover in a real rollercoaster of a game! It was the XL tail that are working on maintaining this drive in 2018. support to the District and to me this year. Our new the morning and brought them to the game, before gave the score some respectability, although by then captain, Simon Holliday, has led the team well both on returning them in the evening. 44 overs had been bowled. In their reply, St John’s Although we only won three and lost five of the eight and off the field. started quite well but when Phil Reeves (5-34) came matches we played, our fixtures for this year were The XL posted 216-6 with Andy Stokes 51*. The on to bowl, they imploded. From 130-4 they crashed severely affected by two problems – the weather and Our Match Managers have again been a tower of school opened brightly and the openers were to 163-9 and the match was drawn. At Seaford the hosts being unable to raise a team. I’m pleased strength this year; my thanks go to them all. I must also particularly severe on our bowling. However, two College, SX posted a reasonable total of 203-5 but the to say, though, that we managed to raise a team for mention the umpires, scorers and tea ladies, who have sharp stumpings by Barry Hainsworth and an school chased this down in 29.3 overs for the loss of 4 every match. helped with our matches. excellent diving catch by Ollie Smith left the school wickets – two of which were run outs! teetering as the last hour was called. The expected

50 51 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk The Reed’s game was played on the hottest day of Mansfield, taking the score to 335. EM responded and a wonderful day all round. The school were the year and XL were desperate to win the toss and with Paul Sheppard, 76, and Jason Gorman, 77, putting absolutely top notch hosts. bat on a lovely wicket. Having failed to do so, regular on 127 for the first wicket. But with a regular fall of drinks breaks kept the XL going for 53 overs of more wickets to Steve Naylor 4-33 and Richard Mansfield We then lost two fixtures through admin errors than respectable bowling with stalwart efforts from 3-54 the last wicket fell with one ball remaining, (not our fault I hasten to add) so the elusive Jonathan Barrett and Will Moore in particular. Nigel leaving SX winners by 72 runs. After this we were victory is looking a distant dream) we move well Pestifield also produced some great glovework and the due to play Scotland in the semi-final but the rain into September (heck it’s autumn!) final fixture of school finished on 234-8. SX having started steadily intervened and although no more cricket was played, the season v Uxbridge CC on what looks a green and progressed to 136-5 thanks largely to Andy the trophy was shared between Scotland and Wales. seaming wicket but it’s the spinners who are the Drummond’s stylish 54, we wilted. Despite a 35 ball successful ones. Uxbridge scored 148-8 off their 41 from Guy Locke, with victory in sight, we collapsed My thanks go, in the first place, to the players who 40 overs while we put on 50 for the first wicket. to 166 all out. At Lancing College we played a 35- have been readily available and who have been such Jon Thornton scored 81, becoming only the second over game. The school scored 169-5 including 91* by good company. Everybody knows that cricket is less man in XL history to score 1000 runs in a season. J Dawlings. We appeared to be in trouble at 96–4 but fun without umpires and scorers and we are most Incredible effort! But Uxbridge have an ace up their a fine 75* by J Naughalty saw SX home with an over grateful to those who made themselves available as sleeve, an ex-Test bowler! As he bowls maiden after and a half to spare. The game against Epsom College well. I am indebted to Roly Walton for all his support maiden with the odd dismissal, wickets starts to fall turned out to be a bad day at the office! A strong SX and for his most efficient management of our ID side. at the other end. Panic sets in. From looking like a side batted for 50 overs but only managed to score Off the field, we have played golf (and been rained ten-wicket win we’re now eight down. A somewhat 141–9. The school quickly saw off this total in 35 off) at Waldingham and I am grateful to Denham Earl unkempt District Chairman with hastily buckled overs for the loss of only one wicket. We fared better for organising this for us. We have continued to run pads strides in and somehow managed to paddle a against Worth School who scored 198–8. In reply, SX our ‘Chance to Shine’ inter-schools competition at St man who once dismissed the mighty in scored 201-7 in 36.4 overs with D Cummings hitting 68. John’s and I am grateful to Adrian Gale for organising a Test match for a scrambled two and victory was every aspect of this so smoothly once again. On the ours… we had to wait until the leaves were falling Against the clubs, we won one of the four games admin side, Alan Newman has continued to ensure but the lemonade tasted all the better for it. that were played – two were cancelled owing to that our playcricket website is up-to-date and that we Mark hands over the Skinner Trophy to XL skipper Andy Ashfold at Wells rain – but we lost two and drew one. The victory have an efficient and effective communication vehicle: Huge thanks to everyone who played. Next year we’ll Cathedral School came in a 40-over game at Horsley & Send where no club can survive without this! be aiming for two victories. We can but dream... we made a respectable 253 thanks largely to a a state school, could not find a suitable venue at a wonderful opening partnership between K Nas, local club. Of the 11 games that were played XL West 56, and S Patel 70*. Horsley & Send managed only NORTH THAMES (Ilija Krunic) WEST (Winston Duguid) won six, drew three and lost two games. 115. We drew at 3 Bridges, where XL batted first, producing a reasonable total of 245-4 in 45 overs, That was the year that was! It Nineteen games were scheduled The best innings of the season were Graham based mainly around two contributions of 60 from was the whole summer (and this year but rain prevented four Poulton’s 83 not out and Evie Griffith’s 89 against new recruit James Dann and skipper Jon Thornton, more) but we managed to notch being played and disappointingly Monkton Coombe, in a losing cause, and Iraq 60*. In reply Kapadia and Hawkins ripped into the one in the plus column. To begin another four were cancelled for Thomas’s extraordinary 123 against Colston’s. top order leaving TBCC at 10-3, including the prized at the beginning. We get a good other reasons – KES Bath got Three outstanding innings were played against wicket of XL legend Andy Meads, caught sharply by beating from Forest School through to the semi-finals of the us. First a wonderfully paced 114 not out by Ben Nigel Angus. Walker and Ollie Brown then put on 65 losing by 7 wickets. Well if we schools’ T20 competition and Wells, batting at No.3, to win the game for Monkton to restore the situation before a steady succession of start at rock bottom the only had to play on the day of our Coombe, secondly an aggressive 98 by Prior Park wickets fell, leaving the last pair to see out the last way is up but it wasn’t looking scheduled fixture; Nailsea, a club skipper Alex Carruthers that nearly turned the 5.3 overs. In a high scoring game at Cuckfield, the that way against Parmiter’s School as, replying to a side, couldn’t raise a team; Bristol game on its head and thirdly a very polished 117 by home side scored 251-6 batting first with, perhaps modest 140, we were sinking without trace at 70-7 CC’s ground was required by Glos CC for a 2nd XI Finn Hand of Queen’s College Taunton that put the unusually, Clive Grierson starring as an opening but fortunately the raindance finally paid dividends three-day game; and finally Castle School in Taunton, game beyond us. bowler 8-2-22-2! Despite 54 from N Angus and 65* and we skulked off tails between our legs with a from J Prakash, SX were all out 50 runs short of draw. No chance of salvation against Haileybury as There was no stand-out bowling performance the required total. Sadly, the weather caused the they clobbered us for 263-3 and we were bowled out but both Alex Standsfield and Jordan Peters cancellation of the matches against Sussex Martlets nigh on a hundred short. Ouch! performed well when they played. Against XL the and Walton on Thames. best performance was Henry Longgoba’s 5-48 But the fighting spirit came back to the fore against at Colston’s, one spell of which was against Iraq In the ID, once again, we were victorious in all the Aldenham as, chasing 200, we hung on by our Thomas in full flow. During the 11 games we used matches we played. In the first round, we defeated fingertips to secure a draw with 168-9 – a valiant a total of 71 players of whom 32 were members. CP, scoring 300–7 in our 45 overs with Will Moore effort. John Lyon chased down a total near 200 Interestingly 33 played one game, 11 played two, scoring a wonderful, undefeated 120*. CP scored 227 (serves us right for declaring!). Against Latymer 7 played three, 3 played four and 1 played in five. with fine contributions from Neil Canham, 67, and D Upper we scored 236-2 which included a fine During the season we gained as many new playing Cooper 59. In the second round we put on 150-1 at the undefeated century from Stokes (not the one who members as we lost and, in doing so, reduced our halfway stage for the loss of Nigel Angus, 41, in the likes fisticuffs). Hope sprang eternal when we age profile. 18th over. An aggressive 81 from Steve Naylor in 59 removed the top order pretty rapidly. But the middle balls complemented Dave Allaway’s 90 off 65 before order fought back superbly to give the school The school that won our regional award was the final flourish came from Bjorn Mordt and Richard victory in the last over. A terrific game of cricket Colston’s. An all-day game with XL struggling at Winston Duguid and Tony Fare 52 53 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk 17-4 saw Congresbury CC’s overseas professional all concerned and their sports master Phil Wakefield – from Tobago hit an amazing 123 to change the game. they have been a real credit to the promotion of schools Colston’s reacted well to such an onslaught of sixes cricket throughout the North West over the years. and fours, kept their cool and managed to restrict the final XL total – no other batsman hit more than The school also act as a feeder to their local club 36 on a slowish track. The day was made with the Ormskirk CC of the and District Cricket arrival of Sir Gary Sobers for lunch. Sir Gary gave us competition who experienced an excellent season by an overview of the school tournament he runs each winning their own Premier League in the LDCC, were year in Barbados and his presence was a privilege joint winners of the Lancashire Knockout Cup and also enjoyed by all present on the day. reached the final of the ECB National Cup, where they were narrowly defeated by Wandsworth CC of Essex.

NORTH WEST (John Sharples) In the Inter District Tournament we reached the semi- final and despite a magnificent 156 by one of our new The North West enjoyed a relatively members, Clinton Perren, out of our total of 249-2, we successful season in which we succumbed to a rejuvenated West team at Oswestry. managed to win four of our scheduled fixtures with the weather playing its I am pleased to report that we managed to recruit part and washing out a further three quite a few new members and they all played their part games. We experienced good victories during the season. However as a group we must not be at QEGS and Rossall Schools, the latter complacent and we need to continue our recruitment an extremely convincing one on our policy for the coming season. return there after the revival of the fixture after many years. The golf section continues to flourish and enjoyed an excellent day at Pleasington Golf Club where several The outstanding victory of the season came in an school teams and seniors competed for the annual excellent game at Ormskirk School where, after 435 runs trophy under the able guidance of their mentors had been scored, we triumphed by the incredible margin Richard Evans and Steve Kelly. This golf day has now of ONE run with three balls of the last over remaining. become an annual event in our calendar followed by the dinner. We are extremely pleased to report that the nomination for the District award, namely Ormskirk, were not only Finally a vote of thanks all the Match Managers who successful in this section but were ultimately chosen took the time, trouble and effort to support the North by the panel as the 2017 winners. Congratulations to West in completing their annual round of fixtures.

David Johnston on the drive for the Scotland district. Phil Deakin, fourth left, with Stuart Law, second left, and friends

54 55 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk SECRETARY’S REPORT addition on the revamped tour to the North), Royal County Shot of the season: Mike Johnson-Hill’s second stroke on Down and St George’s Hill on a very fine afternoon on the Match Results Summary the eighth at Royal County Down (stroke index 1). Actually Captain’s day. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Having been honoured to be asked to undertake the role doing what the caddie told him to do. “You’ve got 220 yards of Secretary of the Forty Club Golfing Society, I have to say to the stick, and big trouble on the left. You need to hit a Grumpiest Man of the Season: Having spent the season doing Won 14 15 15 16 12 that it has been a relatively straightforward task. draw starting 40 yards right of the green and bring it back a fantastic job of combining the Club Captaincy and Fixture Halved 6 5 5 5 8 on the wind, hitting the dunes 90 yards short of the green in Secretary roles with good humour and patience, I don’t think This is due in no small measure to the fantastic efforts order for it to roll up into the right to left green.” And he did I’ve seen an unhappier man than Stuart Bowden as he picked Lost 15 14 15 13 18 over the past 60 years of the various Secretaries, Fixture just that! Hitting the ball to gimme distance, even for me, his up the wooden spoon at Porthcawl – not a happy bunny! C/NR 3 1 2 2 3 and Membership Secretaries, Captains, Treasurers, Tour partner, a birdie! Tremendous. Organisers, Committee Members and Match Managers, Hospital pass of the season: Steve “Special Agent” Barton Total 38 35 37 36 41 who have combined to provide the framework for the club having his arm twisted to take over the reins of Spring and which we see today. That framework is essentially the Autumn management whilst the previous incumbent (yours establishment of the wonderful fixtures together with the truly) swans off on a six month round-the-world trip. During the season we enjoyed new matches with The number of active Members and the Match Managers we Babalou GS (don’t ask – something to do with our new continue to have in place. Messrs Bowden and Lancaster Membership Captain!), and Huntercombe GC on their splendid course; continue to provide a first-class service in maintaining the and a new venue for our main match with the MCC, kindly fixture and membership lists together with sound finances. A quiet year, with little change from the last. We hosted by them down at Royal Porthcawl. Our traditional continue to remove our dormant non-paying Members trips to Scotland and the Kent coast were enjoyed by all I would also like to add a very special thank you to my from the handbook and liaise closely with the cricketers who toured and very well managed again by Doug Adams predecessor as Hon. Secretary, Tony Colbeck, who stepped as there are occasions when the cricket sub has not and Chris Greet respectively. As mentioned above, we also into the breach a couple of years ago. AJ was sometimes a been paid but the golf sub has. Our active players have had a hugely enjoyable weekend with the Windcheaters at bit technically challenged but, with Chrissie’s help, he has increased with new members making themselves Royal County Down. We reinstated our once-regular visit to done a sterling job for our Society! Tony will continue as our available for selection. Over the year we have had 12 new Moortown to play against an XL Club Yorkshire team and Hon. Chairman, with the very important role of liaising with members and lost 18. It has been a little disappointing also played a team styling itself as MCC (North) at Fixby GC the XL Club Executive Committee. Peter Crowcroft putting at Holinwell with his partner Mike Firman hoping he that interest shown by several guests at our Spring and – both very enjoyable days for which we thank Chris Farrell doesn’t have to! Autumn Meetings has not been translated into new & Denis Johnson for helping to arrange. On the way north we However, we must not rest on our laurels and the fixtures Members, despite forms being sent out to the introducing played a new match against the Notts & East Midlands XL at need to be continually reviewed to ensure they meet the Speech of the Season: Being completely dumbfounded when Member to action. The lesson is that we will have the the challenging Holinwell GC. This was very kindly organised quality we expect and our membership must continue to he learnt at the end of lunch that we had won the Triangular forms available for completion at the meetings! by the current Chairman of Notts Club & XL grow and expand to ensure we can fulfil all of these fixtures. at Richmond, our new Match Manager Tony “Whispering” Club Member, Richard Tennant, who also organised tickets for Also, we must always be mindful of the fact we are part of Lowe was completely lost for words and mumbled Lastly, our “missionary work” to the North turned east to us to attend the ODI against the West Indies at Trent Bridge the much larger Forty Club and maintain a close relationship something incoherent – was this the first time ever? Yorkshire in 2017 and again keenness on the day of matches on our way home. Sadly, Richard was unable to organise the as a reminder of our history and as a continuing source of has not been converted into new Members. However, weather, we only saw 2.2 overs of play! Nevertheless, we will new Members. Lunch of the Season: Swinley Forest – amongst a host of this may be overcome next year when the same trip is be repeating this tour (without the cricket) in 2018. great lunches throughout the year, Swinley stands out as undertaken. we carried on for quite a long time due to the fact it was so Next season will see the introduction of a new fixture against wet that we were not going out in the afternoon. This was Finances Blackmoor GC together with the reinstatement of a West highlighted by the photos taken of Esto and Defriez having at Country Meeting, based at Broadstone GC. Otherwise our least 40 winks in the lounge afterwards. A year without a major event has led to little movement in fixtures will be much the same as this year. On a sadder note, our finances. We have increased our stock of ties, jumpers we are having to say goodbye to our matches against the Match Manager of the Season: Jointly awarded to Charles and shirts, the value of which has been written off in the Incogniti for next year as they are running out of active golf Maisey and John Gordon, both new to the role. Charles was accounts on receipt of the goods. With reduced membership members – hopefully we will be able to resume our rivalry organised at least four months before the PIGS match in the interest from our deposit fund and the money received against this historic Cricket Club in the not too distant future. August – I distinctly remember getting my first email from from the cricketers has kept the accounts on an even keel. him in March and he had all monies collected at least a week We continue to subsidise prizes at our two meetings so Finally, remember that all of our matches are open to all of beforehand. John took over the Bluemantles game and found keeping the cost of the day at an affordable level. This will our Members, so if you would like to play in any of them then at least four new XL Cricket Members to play at Ashdown remain the case next year. contact the Match Manager as early as you can. All of our Stuart Bowden, XLGS captain thanking Nottinghamshire CCC captain and EM captain for an enjoyable day at Holinwell Forest – fine work. Match Managers are encouraged to introduce some “new Fixtures blood” into their teams every year so don’t be afraid to ask! It was very heartening to see a number of new names step Hosts of the season: Amongst many well-appreciated clubs up to take on Match Manager roles from those who have that hosted us splendidly during the year, the Windcheaters This year we played more matches (41) than we have for So there you have it, my personal thanks to all who have done sterling work in the past and this process is essential at Royal County Down stood out for me. Virtually all of several years, in addition to our well-attended Spring & organised, played and enjoyed being part of the Society in to keep our Club moving forward. them are single figure golfers and are certainly all scratch Autumn Meetings at The Berkshire. Also, the Captain hosted 2017. drinkers. A fine weekend organised superbly by our hosts an enjoyable day at St. George’s Hill GC in sparkling July I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season as Secretary of and Ali Defriez. weather. The match results summary above shows that we Winter well and enjoy your golf in 2018. our Society and, to reflect from a personal point of view, continue to do reasonably well with the notable exception, I have listed below a few highlights which I have labelled Golf club/course of the season: Always a good debate at as mentioned above, of picking up the wooden spoon for the Peter Crowcroft “Secretary’s Awards.” the 19th, my personal favourites would be Holinwell (a new first time ever at the Porthcawl Quadrangular match! Hon. Secretary

56 57 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk NEIL BRINDLE rescue helicopter to take him to hospital. Luckily he was and only three survived. He was a junior engineer officer He wrote his memoirs, DBHW, and they were privately able to make a good recovery. at the time and back in dock in Scotland he discovered a published in 2000. His blissful marriage lasted almost 60 A TRUE CRICKETER WITH A 15-inch unexploded bomb under the waterline and helped years before Leslie predeceased him in 2009. “He didn’t want a funeral and we arranged the scattering of to dismantle and make it safe. GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR his ashes at Loch Rannoch which was one of his favourite parts of Scotland. It went extremely well except for cars He was courting Leslie – her father, who owned the Jacob weren’t allowed and it meant a long hike to get there.” biscuit factory, used the male version of her name because RICHARD MERRICKS he wanted a boy – and while his ship was out of action, they married in June and had a brief honeymoon. When TRUE FRIEND OF CRICKET he was back in action, the Prince of Wales took the Prime VICE ADMIRAL Minister Winston Churchill to see the 32nd US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and persuaded FDR to join the There has been no more remarkable man in the Forty Club DICK WILDISH fight against the Germans by signing the Atlantic Charter. than Richard (“Rick”) John Merricks, a fruit farmer from Rye THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE A who was born in 1939 with cerebral palsy. It comes from a That momentous meeting in Little Placentia Bay in fault in the brain and leaves the person with uncontrolled FILM OF HIS LIFE Newfoundland led to the salvation of Europe and the world. parts of their body and a permanent limp. Despite that Dick had several chats with the PM and we reported on he made friends of thousands of cricketers including Test them in the 2015 yearbook. The Telegraph gave only five players all around the world. lines to Churchill’s trip, out and back while U-boats were hunting for his battleship. The Times was equally tardy.

On December 10 1941 a second bombing raid by Japanese torpedo bombers put the Prince of Wales out of action in the South China Sea and soon after a 1,200-pound bomb exploded close to where he was helping the evacuation. Seriously wounded with extensive burns, a wound in his thigh and punctured eardrums, he was put on a raft. After more than 18 hours in the oily water, he was picked up by the destroyer Electra and transported back to Singapore. Neil Brindle, a former chairman of the North West District, was, according to his great friend Keith Roscoe “a lovely, Two months afterwards and having recovered, he was lovely man who loved cricket.” Neil died aged 71 on Good ordered to try and blow up the main Singapore fuel depot Friday from cancer of the liver. before joining the retreat to Ceylon. But a breakdown with the river steamer carrying his force to carry out their He joined the Forty Club in 1987 and served for a while on orders meant the mission had to be abandoned. Later he the Executive Committee. Said Keith “he was the kind of learned that the New Zealand doctor who treated him at man who would walk into a room and everyone would be the hospital had been bayoneted to death. laughing listening to his amusing stories. He had a very bad stutter but made the most of it, always joking. Dick was born at Milton Regis, Kent on Christmas Eve 1914, son of Rear Admiral Sir Henry William Wildish. At the “He was a very enthusiastic cricketer – a medium-pace age of 13 he began training at the Royal Naval College in bowler (though he reckoned he was fast), a steady Dartmouth where he first met and became a lifelong friend batsman who played in a number of clubs in Lancashire of Lt. Commander John Manners, our XL member who is finishing with Edenfield CC. He was the chairman of the still with us. Dick was mentioned in dispatches in the Allied club for a while and was still playing into his sixties. Both The Times and the Daily Telegraph gave half page landings in Sicily and also escorted Italian submarines obituaries to Denis Bryan Harvey Wildish, who died on which were forced to surrender. “He was a useful golfer and one of his proudest moments April 2 last year at the age of 102 and no XL member, which was when he won a tournament for golfers who ran fish he was since 1969, has been accorded more acreage of After the War ended he served in the aircraft carriers and chip shops. He started out helping to run a family newsprint. A much loved man, he experienced appalling Implacable (1946-48) and Eagle (1954-56) and performed business in a chippy before serving in the prison youth but also joyous occasions in one year, 1941, which would valuable work in helped the modernisation of the navy and service, working with Jack Straw, the Home Secretary have made a memorable film of historically correct naval in 1968 he was appointed a CB. when he was MP for Blackburn. Later on, he worked in the history, not a propaganda one like In which we Serve and His brother Walter said at his funeral attended by almost Isle of Man but kept his home in Chorley.” other films at the time. Cricket was his main sporting love and he opened the 500 people at St. George’s Church, Brede, “In 1939 children bowling for the Royal Navy against the RAF at Lord’s. He were put into institutions but our mother discovered in 1942 Neil once fell down a mountain and Tony Fare, who On May 24 his battleship the Prince of Wales was hit seven retired from the Navy in 1972 and moved to a 16th century that there was only one centre, in Sutton, which treated succeeded him in the North West, did the same. Marilyn, times by shells fired from the Bismarck, the pride of the cottage in Derrington, near Petersfield. He planted a the illness and Richard went there for some years, learning his second wife, said: “He had a heart attack in 2004 on German fleet, and it had to withdraw and limped off to vineyard there as a sideline and took up painting and some how to overcome his disability. And he did. The only thing Remembrance Day, November 11 and there were a lot of Rosyth for repairs. One of his cousins died along with 1,415 of his watercolours were exhibited at the Armed Forces that stopped him was not being able to run.” Drinking was rescue people in the vicinity and they called up an air crew members when another battleship, Hood, was sunk Arts Society. often a problem and he used a straw.

58 59 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk Hugh Milner, one of our longest serving members, said: “It Cherry and grandson Harry. Vanda, his first wife, died and He was a great supporter of the Scotland District and GEOFF BURTON appeared that wherever you went in the world, you came Jill accompanied him on most of his tours. Cherry read a the Forty Club as a whole. He played his first game across people who knew him. He had a great sense of beautiful poem based on his cricket life. against Fettes College in April 1999, and went on to MAN OF KENT fun. I went on a lot of tours with him and I only recall one represent the District 85 times in his career, scoring incident when I saw him lose his temper. It was a match Richard was a popular member of both the Friendly 1005 runs with a highest score of 55* against one in Fish Hoek in South Africa and two batsmen in his team Cricketers Association of South Africa and Western of his favourite opponents, Dollar Academy. A great Geoff was one of the most accurate medium-fast decided to play for a dull draw. Richard was upset and said Province CC, and both recognised him posthumously. At family man, one of his favourite moments came in bowlers in his time with the Forty Club (1990-2008) “you will never be invited for my side again.” the WPCC Cricket Awards Dinner, Richard was 2010 when Douglas and his two sons represented the and he played in 72 matches and took 155 wickets, recognised as a “great servant of the game”, and “there club in a winning match against West of Scotland at averaging 18.01. His best performance occurred at the The Reverend Father Martin Harper, who conducted the could have been no more worthy winner of the award Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow. City of London Freeman’s School in 2000 with 8-30. hour-long service, said: “I knew him for the past ten years for Services to Friendly Cricket.” Richard was a member Carl Openshaw said: “I was very sorry to hear the sad and I never saw him without a smile.” Judy Martin-Jenkins of WPCC at the time of his death in June last year and I will remember him not only as a fantastic and news about Geoff – and shocked too as when I saw said: “Christopher and I were very fond of him and we the award was made in memory of “all that he meant seriously capable teammate, who I loved playing him this summer he seemed so fit. He made his Over often bumped into him at Hove, Arundel or wherever. He to us at the various FCA clubs which he frequented so alongside, but also a great guy to have a beer with 50 debut in my time as captain and we also played was wonderful character and was always full of life. He will regularly on his tours to Cape Town.” and talk cricket. some Forty Club cricket together. He was a fine bowler be sadly missed by cricket followers around the world.” and a good man.” A Forty Club tourist on many occasions Douglas was Only June 30 Rick and his wife were staying in a hotel DOUGLAS HARKESS SMITH always happy to spend time with colleagues, opponents, He went on a number of tours with the Club but his in Slough having watched a Minor Counties encounter (1956-2017) supporters – in fact anyone to talk cricket and spread longest stint was with Bexley CC. He also did a lot of between Buckinghamshire and Norfolk and they were the Forty Club mission. He was also an enthusiastic and umpiring. More than 140 mourners attended his funeral at going down the lift for breakfast when Richard collapsed. A A TRIBUTE BY COLIN NEILL, accomplished golfer who played with the Forty Club Eltham Crematorium on November 23. He was aged 75. year and a half previously he had also collapsed and a man Golfing Society on a number of occasions. resuscitated him and saved his life. This time there was no CHAIRMAN OF SCOTLAND one to revive him. He was 77, a good innings but it could DISTRICT Few people in our small cricketing community have been a longer one. attracted the love and respect that Douglas Smith KURT OSTERGAARD did. His legacy is second to none: he was a respected Hugh was unable to attend the funeral because he was and close friend and companion to many not just GIANT OF DANSK XL playing in a 70s match in Robertsbridge and organised a Unfortunately the great umpire in the sky decided it inside the Forty Club but within many clubs and minute’s silence. He said: “There were two other matches was time to end Douglas Smith’s innings. Educated at schools across Scotland. on the day and most of them knew Richard. They had a Aberdeen GS and Aberdeen University, Douglas had a Kurt died on November 9 from heart failure following minute’s silence as well with everyone raising a glass to hugely successful business career before taking early Douglas is survived by his wife Susan and by his a cycling accident on August 28. He cracked his him. Otherwise they would have been at the funeral. retirement that sadly ended far too early. two sons Chris, a good golfer, and David, a semi- skull and suffered internal injuries and was put into professional footballer and their families. His many an induced coma. He seemed to be on the way to The highlight of the funeral was the decoration of the friends remembered him at his memorial service in recovery and was discharged on November 8. Sadly coffin – an elongated picture of Lord’s on both sides which Aberdeen in November. his heart failed the following day at the age of 68. brought laughs all around the church. One wondered whether it was an MCC product, selling them for deceased Barry Aitken adds: “Cricket had a special place in MCC members. Jill explained: “The funeral director Kurt’s life. He had been a member of Dansk XL, our suggested the idea and it wasn’t expensive. I asked sister club in Denmark, for many years and latterly was permission to use it and MCC agreed and I think Richard Club Secretary Barry Aitken adds: “Douglas was President. He was also a member of the Danish Cricket would have loved it.” Chairman of the Christians in Sport Trustees in the Association’s Board of Directors for many years as well 1990s and working closely with Christians in Sport and as chairman of Fredericia CC for the past 30 years. Richard was educated at Rye Grammar School. He soon Ambassadors Football he pioneered the development fell in love with cricket although he wasn’t able to play but of sports ministry in Scotland. On a number of He was a special friend of many in the Forty Club, as often put up the score. He joined the Forty Club in 1979, occasions he accompanied Andrew Wingfield Digby, well as SGS and Cricket España, and was a regular two years after he became a member of MCC. He was chaplain to the England cricket squad, on England at Triangular and Quadrangular Tournaments. Danish a familiar figure at Lord’s, and county grounds cricket tours. cricket has lost a real gladiator in cricket and we have and also at our fixtures home and away. He took his club, lost a lively, humorous cricketing friend and good Western Court Wanderers, on many tours and his favourite “He also spent time counselling some major cricketers companion.” part of the world was Cape Town. who were experiencing problems in their professional lives. He was a very generous, committed and decent Anne, his daughter, said of her father who worked He always drove his own cars and I have memories of his man with a strong Christian ethic and belief. in the Danish postal service: “He was a great man sometimes wayward driving. But he never seemed to be and was passionate about cricket and we will never prosecuted. Hugh said: “Once in Ibiza he was nabbed for “He ran a charity in South Africa for people in prison and forget him. He coached so many youngsters both in illegally parking but he managed to talk his way out of it.” when I started my little charitable endeavour in Namibia Fredericia and in other towns. He was still playing up to help youngsters in cricket, he was very quick to make to the end of last season. He was probably the best He was President of Rye CC and a member of several a generous donation. The Forty Club has lost a popular, wicket-keeper who played for Fredericia CC and was a county clubs. He is survived by his second wife, daughter respected, generous and committed friend.” great batsman.”

60 61 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook www.thefortyclub.co.uk CHARLES ELLIOTT WINN, was born in Beckenham, CLIFF BOOTH joined as a Life Member in 1991 and was Kent and was a forceful middle-order batsman with well known as a highly respected umpire in Kent. He was Oxford University (1948-50, Blue all four years) and Sussex the first team umpire for Tonbridge for many years and (1948-52). He was also a top-class rugby player for Oxford also umpired Kent CCC second team matches. A stickler and England. He joined XL in 1981. for accuracy, he once measured another club’s pitch and announced that it was two inches short! LAURENCE CHAMPNESS FCCS TONY LEVICK, a member since 1970. He was Michaael Estrocrick said: “I played an MCC qualifier in the introduced by the club by “Hopper” Levett, the early ’70s against Laurie’s old school Harrow, when he legendary Kent wicket-keeper. A wicket-keeper himself, had, according to , the best bowling figures of he captained The Mote and was President. He was all time on a losing side: 8 for 3 in 11 overs, with 3 maidens, treasurer of Kent CCC for two spells. including a hat trick and 5 wickets in 7 balls. They were bowled out for 83, and then we were bowled out for 76 JACK SPALDING (1977) joined Kent’s staff at a young age by a left-arm spinner called Halliday. Oddly, both he and before he suffered an eye injury and went on to play for Laurie suffered badly from depression!” He had been a XL Sidcup CC for many years as an accomplished bstsman member since 1978 and a member of MCC. and opening bowler.

MEMBERS PASSING

We deeply regret to record the death of the following members during the past year. The date after each name denotes year of election

ALLSOP, E. 1968 HOLTON, D.J. 1972

ALLOM, A.K., C.B.E. 1983 HOWELL, O.M.R. 1972

BATSTONE, J.F. 1978 LEVICK, A 1970

BREWER, R.S.H. 1979 MARKHAM, J.R. 1981

BOOTH, C. 1991 MERRICKS, R.J. 1979

BRINDLE, N. 1987 MEW, D.H. 1992

BURTON, G.J. 1987 PRENTICE, J.R. 1985

CHAMPNISS, L.J., F.R.I.C.S 1998 ROYTHORNE, M.E. Major 1970

CUMMINS, W.D. 1967 SMITH, D.H. 1999

DAVIS, I.C. 1997 SPALDING, J.H.D. 1977

DICKSON, D.H.W. 1964 TAYLOR, J.M. 1987

EASTMAN, B.A. (Australia) 1996 TRUIN, R.P. 1977

FOSTER, W.J. 1997 WILDISH, D.B.H., Vice-Admiral, C.B. 1969

HALLSWORTH, D. 1977 WINN, C.E. 1981

62 The Forty Club 2017 Yearbook An idyllic scene at Stirling.