2020 YEARBOOK - Inspiring cricketers to enjoy a lifelong love of cricket - Play-Cricket
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Inspiring cricketers to enjoy a lifelong love of cricket
2020 YEA RB O O K
T RO UB LI NG T I M ES
I
t would be irresponsible of us not to say something about the present circumstances in which we all
find ourselves. In the cricket world, we have only a minority part to play: there are far more serious
issues in the wider world.
With sporting events being dropped like flies it was only a matter of time before cricket joined the list of
those suspended by the spread of the Coronavirus. When sports all across the world suspend their playing
schedules, you know that sport is not the prime consideration. This pandemic has been spreading at an
alarming rate. It’s a very contagious virus. It’s a clear case of being safe, not sorry.
The cancelling of major cricket matches is a rare occurrence and casts the sport back to the dark days of the
two world wars. Test matches were suspended in early 1914 and didn’t resume until late 1920 because of the
First World War. The gap in competition was slightly longer during the Second World War, stretching from
August 1939 until March 1946. In the early stages of this pandemic, plans were being made to cancel everything
for two weeks and then see if resumption would be possible. Now, as you know, all social cricket is suspended
until further notice.
In addition all schools were told to close with effect from the weekend of 20 March.
Our first priority is the health and safety of our members and our colleagues. Perhaps this situation will clear
itself up before the end of the season: perhaps it will last into next year. We simply have to go with the flow –
and let’s stay positive and optimistic about reclaiming the same fixtures, and perhaps some new ones, in the
next available season.
The schools will surely return as strong as ever. On the other hand, given the potential for significant loss of
income this season, there is concern that the number of clubs around next season may not be as great as it is
today. A further challenge will be the efforts to maintain the interest and enthusiasm of cricketing youngsters
who may not pick up a bat and ball outdoors till April next year. A net in the back garden – for those who have
one – must be a great advantage!
The golfers are not having it any easier as all the golf courses have been closed.
This is not just about sport. There are lots of people out there with problems far more significant and
dangerous. We may have cancelled some cricket, some meetings, some golf and some social events. We may
have to reconsider the Quadrangular Tournament in Spain in October, and even the Annual Dinner and AGM
in November, if this pestilence continues. However these issues fade into insignificance compared with the
challenges that others face.
Hopefully we can all stay positive and look on the bright side of the outcome of this period. May we never take
for granted a handshake with a stranger: full shelves at the shops; a crowded theatre; the taste of communion;
a school run each morning; the stadium roaring; life itself. May we find that we have become more like the
people we wanted to be, we were called to be, or we hoped to be. May we stay that way – better for each other
because of the worst.
Isolation doesn’t mean you have to feel isolated. Being alone doesn’t mean you have to feel lonely. Keep in
touch with your friends and family.
Stick to your social distancing. Stay well. Stay healthy. Wash your hands.
Barry Aitken
Honorary General Secretary
April 2020
https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 3
REP ORTS
P R ES ID E NT’S N OTES CHAI RM AN’S NOT ES
F A
or the most part, Forty Club members and cricketers are generous-spirited and well disposed s we place 2019 in the archive section, we can reflect on much achieved. 2019 gave us so much, from
towards those with whom we play – both teammates and opponents. And yet I wonder the Club’s first tour to the Gambia and the 50th anniversary of the Triangular, now Quadrangular,
how many of us will arrive at a lovely school ground and consider as a first priority how Tournament at Neston in Cheshire, and of course the achievements of England in the World Cup and
much pleasure and happiness we can instil in the opposition. What might we do to enhance in another remarkable Ashes series.
the potential of those just starting out whilst, at the same time, deriving satisfaction and fulfilment
ourselves through the highest level of excellence we can attain. Your Executive Committee and District Chairmen have evolved, with a number of new faces developing the
communications field and modernising our platform with the playcricket.com website, alongside Facebook
This may seem a strange notion to some. After all, we are instinctively competitive and like to do some and with Twitter. There is undoubted positivity in creating an awareness of our Club on a broader base and the
winning along the way; yet ours is a most generous club and, amidst the rough and tumble of a day’s move in this direction is enabling dividends to be realised.
cricket, we like to see our opponents, the young particularly, do well just as we love to see our own
children succeed. Passing something on to a future generation is a precious gift. An attitude of mind, Our ambition is to create balanced cricketing XIs wherever possible and that these XIs always play with our
intent upon giving something to each day rather than merely taking from it, is a positive and generous spirit in cricket uppermost – Inspiring Cricketers to Enjoy a Lifelong Love of Cricket.
one and, above all, gives the Forty Club, a great club, with its wonderful list of fixtures on some of the
best grounds in the country, a sense of purpose that can be matched by few others in the world. On a broader look at the club game, we can all observe a troubling decline in the numbers of participants
and the folding of a number of established clubs. We, as members of the Forty Club, are in a position of co-
Thank you all for the special contributions you make, which in turn have an influence upon so many responsibility in helping the game maintain its presence, with our mantra to be involved in schools cricket. This
people in schools and elsewhere. responsibility requires us at all times to put out quality teams and to play our cricket in the best spirit.
Good luck, may the sun shine, and have a happy and rewarding summer. The game from top to bottom needs to regenerate, ensuring that club cricket in general is played by the rising
generation. While some senior players are possibly needed to lead the group, others need to step aside to allow
John Barclay youth to come through. Seniors cricket has fine age group competitions – but it is investment in the future
game that counts. The Forty Club should demonstrate that lead in investment.
I wish you as safe a passage through the coming months as possible; our game has the ability and drive to
regenerate when this is all done and will allow us to all come together agaIn, hopefully later in 2020.
Phil Fawkner-Corbett
4 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 5
GENE R AL
REP ORTS
SECRETARY ’S T REAS URER’S
N OTE S NOT ES
H W
ow ironic it was that just as England clinched that riting this report serves a few purposes. Initially, I been recorded as income in the wrong financial
exciting victory in South Africa on the fifth day can introduce myself as your new Treasurer and year. This has now been adjusted and we are back
of the second Test, the ECB and South African then I can take a few lines to briefly explain the on track with collections. We decided 15 years ago
Cricket formally endorsed the proposal for four- disappointing 2019 accounts. to abolish the opportunity for life membership for
day Tests. However, better news reached us more recently UK members. Whilst life membership payments were
as the MCC Committee voted in favour of the five-day Test. Some of you will know my history with the Forty being collected, there was no real pain in assessing
Club. I took over my father’s position on the Dinner the receipts as 100% current year income, but once
It is the era of radical ideas to change the first-class game, Committee 20 years ago and after six years serving stopped there has been no way of adequately
either to make it more interesting to the vast majority of under the Chairmanship of Dr Fred Imms, I was asked servicing the annual costs that are expended for a
people who never watch it, at grounds or on TV, or to its role, its purpose and its ambitions in cricket. Do we need to be Chairman of the Dinner Committee. This role gave group that now contributes no annual income other
improve the standards of skill of those who play it. Sadly to take the opportunity to undertake some fundamental me a position on the Executive Committee, on which I than perhaps the occasional match fee.
it seems to some of us that this plethora of ideas is being research to develop what is the right response to [some of] have served since 2006. As well as Dinner matters, I have
driven by the market-maker and the money-man, and not today’s school needs for matches against adults? been able to support the Executive with reviews on the Subscriptions collected year on year have stayed
by the cricketer. Constitution and on some digital matters that continue to approximately the same for a while now and perhaps
We can still challenge in the shorter forms of the game as be reviewed as we move into a new decade. that was adequate? Match fees are proportional to the
The cricket picture is changing almost daily. Many schools long as we continue to attract younger playing members. vagaries of the British weather and we all remember
are opting for shorter games, maybe 30 or 35 overs. And we can certainly challenge in the longer form of Before looking forward, let’s look back on the dismal some inclement summers in the recent past. We can
Younger players yearn for the shorter game, reduce their the game. All the options and opportunities are open to results thrown up by last year’s trading and try and find do little about the weather, but we can continue to
availability and commit to less cricket. 19 years of age us as long as we take them and work positively to field some explanations that will assist in analysing why this recruit members in the hope that we play more cricket,
seems to be the watershed mark when they decide to competitive and testing teams. has happened. As individual revenue and expenditure starting in 2020, because the weather is more friendly
leave the game. Fewer folk are prepared to volunteer to headings are considered it will become apparent that to our treasured game. I am also urging the Executive
run, coach, organise and help out at clubs. There is a gulf To cope with the developing challenges we need to further analysis by the Executive Committee is required to Committee to act on the former, and specifically with
forming between those clubs with money which can buy strengthen our armoury of players. Strength in depth and address where things went wrong. those members who have yet to sign and pay their
their way and their players, and those which cannot. age-group gives us options and enables us to respond to annual subscriptions by direct debit. This initiative will
all forms of the school and club game. We, the adults, love The Club has moved forward significantly in the be tackled this year.
Having said that, four of the players in the England Test the game, a game which we have played all of our life and, accounting of members’ funds by establishing a base
team in South Africa are around 22 years of age; another in the words of the motto of the Forty Club, we want to with a fully functioning Cloud accounting system. Reducing expenditure is just as important as raising
was 24. Despite so many changes to cricket occurring in inspire others to enjoy and love it too. Yes it is a challenge This will ensure greater efficiencies and a more timely income and a mixture of both is our aim. Every four
schools across the country, it is fantastic to watch these that many of those whom we wish to influence, and many reporting mechanism for the Executive Committee. With years we host the Quadrangular Tournament and
young men being so successful at the highest level of the of the institutions to which they belong, like to do it a bit all changes of system there are impacts to the book- 2019 was one of our years to host. We estimate that
game. They are living proof that there is talent out there – differently: quicker, more ‘actively’, less often, and always keeping routines that have prompted investigation and around £3,000 will be required to host the 2023
and it must have been developed somewhere! with a result. continuing re-appraisal. Some expenditure has been Tournament so will be budgeting to reserve funds for
recorded in the wrong period because of the timing of this from now on.
Can this pool of developing talent be sustained? It will But where we have the skills, the enthusiasm, the energies the bills received and a similar timing issue has affected
perhaps be up to those schools which are determined and the sense of purpose, we can take any of them on. some income. For all expenses we need greater control and, in
to continue to concentrate on the values and benefits of some areas, we need certainty that we are getting
cricket as a sport, and the longer game. The situation will The game is changing around it, so the Forty Club Our income is derived from just two streams. Match fees value for money. The single most expensive item we
also benefit hugely from good performances by these must evolve too. We offer members a fantastic range of from games played and subscriptions from members. have after paying the MCC for our annual, now self-
England youngsters – as long as we are able to watch opportunities, all across UK, and it is patently clear at the We must remember that we are a cricket club and we funding dinner, is the production and distribution of
them on television – and see the smiles, the enthusiasm, moment that cricketers in Scotland and Yorkshire and need to make cricket a very attractive proposition so that the yearbook.
the energy, the skills and the transparent love of the game. the North East agree with us. Cricketers in the South, and District Chairmen and Match Managers can continue to
across Eastern England, are beginning to agree with us. tempt non-members to join us. We play less cricket now This has not been thoroughly reviewed for some time,
The Private Frazers of this world may be saying that “we’re Enthusiasm is infectious. Enthusiasm backed up by great than 10 years ago, the costs associated with undertaking but the redesign of the 2020 version, changing its
all doomed” and cricket is going down the pan, but as I opportunity, good organisation and competent match fixtures have risen, and we need to adjust our finances size and weight, is being instigated in order to save
write this piece England have just clinched victory in the management is doubly infectious. accordingly. Our schools’ fixtures remain the highlights costs whilst maintaining a degree of elegance in a
third Test, so I am not of that view! on our fixture list and are often played on near-county document that represents the Club in national and
Shrug off any image or thoughts about old man’s cricket. standard grounds. This alone should be a tempter for international circles. In this digital age the yearbook
Clubs like the Forty Club were formed to “encourage Attract and recruit new and younger cricketers. Go out people to join the Forty Club. will be subject to annual review and eventually will
players in secondary school 1st XIs to play with and against there and compete. Be XL-nt! become a website download. From 1997 to date there
experienced players”. Given the changing cricket landscape We have dealt with match fee income on a largely are digital copies on the website, if you do not have a
it might be time for this ‘”club of senior cricketers” to review Barry Aitken cash basis, meaning that late payments have often copy of your own.
6 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 7
Summarised Income and Expenditure for year ending 30th ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Please submit completed forms FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
September 2019 (PLAYING OR NON PLAYING) to the Membership Secretary,
MEMBERSHIP No:
been operating on an out-dated system Mrs Paddy Gaywood,
INCOME since direct debits were introduced by the
FULL £30 ASSOCIATE £10 Hartley Cottage, Hartley Green,
2019 2018 Forty Club some 20 years ago. Whilst we PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT Hartley, Kent, DA3 7BL Date Elected: / /
Subscriptions 32,293 33,327 can easily modernise charging systems,
Match Fees 10,588 4,862 our intention now is to merge the direct
Dinner receipts 19,324 13,885 debit management into a new membership TITLE/Decorations: HOME TEL:
Other -4 42 database. With direct debits as they stand,
62,201 52,116 we find ourselves a victim of a less efficient NAME:
banking system that struggles with paper but
MOBILE:
EXPENDITURE seems to thrive on electronic data. We need
Handbook and postage 13,445 12,292 to adapt and modernise. ADDRESS: I wish to be a - PLAYING/ NON-PLAYING/
Officers expenses 3,075 3,051 UMPIRE/ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Other officer’s costs 8,425 6,897 As always, the Treasury function of the Club
Meetings 9,399 4,023 is indebted to the hard-working officials who
Insurance 692 852 carry out the Club’s day-to-day business. In
Cricket balls and merchandise 9,431 7,024 the summer these are the Match Managers, POST CODE:
Bank charges 591 507 who run cricket with help from the District
Dinner costs 20,717 14,397 Chairmen. More particularly the Club has EMAIL: SIGNATURE:
Cricket expenses 4,156 2,209 a hard working Executive Committee, all
Other 2,608 3,972 of whom contribute in some way towards
72,539 55,224 the incomes and expenditures that compile
Surplus/(deficit) for the year -10,338 -3,108 the accounts. In particular, I would like to
Bank / Building Society Address:
acknowledge the significant contributions To the Manager: Bank/Building Society: INSTRUCTION TO YOUR
Summarised Balance sheet as at 30th September 2019 made by my fellow officers, Barry Aitken, BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY
Paddy Gaywood, Tony Fare and the
CURRENT ASSETS Chairman, Philip Fawkner-Corbett. Without Address: TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT
2019 2018 their support, efficiency and good humour Originators Identification Number:
Debtors and Advance Payments
5,249 2,637 during our meetings, the Club would not be
Bank 18,439
23,688
25,406
28,043
as well-placed to even start to contemplate
some of the changes that are imminent. 6 3 0 1 6 5
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Advance receipts -6,628 Other efficiencies (some costs, some time)
Accruals -1,992 have been achieved through moving to
Instructions to your Bank / Building Society.
-8,620 0 online scorecards and statistics. Kevin Please pay The Forty Club Direct Debits
Post Code:
Net current assets 15,068 28,043 Owens has admirably accomplished this from the account detailed in this instruction
without any fuss and I congratulate him for Name of Member: subject to the safeguards assured by the
Representing: General fund/accounts his work. I must also thank Stephen Kelly,
Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand
2019 2018 who held the Treasurer’s job for the past
Balance brought forward 28,043 28,064 two years. He was as instrumental as I in this instruction may remain with The Forty
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year -10,338 -3,108 compiling last year’s figures and we thank Name(s) of Account holder(s): Club and if so, details will be passed
Advances and receipts movements -2,637 3,087 him for his time and efforts. electronically to my Bank / Building Society
15,068 28,043
Finally, back to our 12 regional salesmen, our Account Number:
District Chairmen, and our Match Managers. A
little more attention, by some, to the financial
elements of running the Club will greatly
Other high-cost items like our meeting expenses are under assist when the book-keeping is done. You Bank Sort Code: Signature(s)
review, from both a cost and necessity point of view. A are congratulated for continuing to produce
national club with Executive Committee members and District a steady stream of new members that Date:
Chairmen located across the whole of the mainland will enables teams to be fielded and our fixture list
find travel expenses to meetings are high tariff costs. Some honoured. I hope that more members of the
meetings are necessary, some may not be so – we will review Club will make themselves available for cricket This Guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer
all of them. in 2020, making team selection a much more
difficult proposition than it often has been in Direct Debit Guarantee
In changing any of our systems we may be faced with a previous seasons. The Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
few one-off costs, but these are necessary if we are to do If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Forty Club will notify you (normally
away with legacy systems. Hopefully, we will have made Our 75th playing season beckons and with it 10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Forty Club to collect
some strides here by the time I make my report to the perhaps a financially revitalised version of the a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request
AGM in November. One crucial area where we can make Forty Club that plays more cricket? If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by The Forty Club or your bank or building society, you are entitled
improvements is with the management and operation of to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
our direct debit charging system for subscriptions. We have Ian Witchell If you receive a refund to which you are not entitled, you must pay it back when the Forty Club asks you to.
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.
Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify The Forty Club.
8 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook
N EWS ROUN D
XL
THE LAST WORD ON STOKES
N EWS RO UND Patrick Kidd, The Times columnist is a cricket-lover
2020
and statistician, and on 19 October when Oliver
Letwin bowled out of Boris Johnson’s Brexit vote,
one of our longest serving XL members, Michael
Perkins from WM dstrict, a chorister, provided an
unusual statistic for Kidd’s “Tailender” column.
Michael said: “Ben Stokes’ second innings at
Headingley contained the most sixes ever struck
(six) in a Test during a Radio 3 broadcast of
choral evensong. As it happened that day I was
singing in Birmingham and as we recessed my
colleague whispered: ‘They’ve lost nine wickets
and still need 70 to win.” I didn’t think about it
until later, when I was driving home, and I heard
the astonishing news. At the same time the usual
repeat of Wednesday’s choral evensong on R3 was
being broadcast and it was this that provided the
background for the Stokes record.”
ASH’S ENVIABLE CRICKETING LIFE
Kidd summed it up by saying: “There is something
of Stokes in the words of the liturgy’s Magnificat How many of our playing members play all year
CRICKET IS ON THE WAY BACK – ‘he hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath round in two continents? Well, here is one –
scattered the proud’ – but at least his service, unlike 51-year-old Ashwani Arora, who retired when
14
July, the 230th anniversary of Bastille Day, the one on Radio 3, did not end with a dismissal.” he was 47 after being a senior director of DHL in
which started the French Revolution in Mumbai. Ash first played in England in 1989, touring
1789, was one of the more memorable We suspect that Stokes won’t reach Michael’s with the Delhi Blues, and a year later he played for
days in English sport. Every fervent cricket number of wickets as a slow left-armer, 5,023, in his Sutton and took a record of 116 wickets with best
lover will hope that this will be the start of an long career. figures of 20.4-6-65-10 against New Malden.
English cricket revolution, building on the goodwill
engendered from the 12th men’s World Cup. Between 1992 and 1994 he was overseas player
at Chessington, took 50 wickets in his first two
There were 22 exhausted players on the field at LIZARD STOPS PLAY AT seasons and won the players’ Player of the Year.
the end when England snatched victory off the He started coming back to England in 2016 and
last ball and all 22 were heroes. Despite being
WELLINGTON COLLEGE played 50 matches each year. Last year he became
described as one of the most relaxed captains in On his way to his 138 Eral Anderson, XL’s opening a member of the Forty Club.
English cricket, Dublin-born Eoin Morgan called his batsman was surprised to see a small, green lizard
World ODI Cup “madness, crazy and I can’t stick my making its way across the pitch. Match manager He bowls big turning Chinamen and his surprise
finger on where the game won and lost. There was Derek Candy said he removed his gloves, carefully ball is the straight one with the same action. “I don’t
no defining moment that you could say ‘yes, we picked it up and walked off to the boundary to put bowl the googly,” he says. “I ought to use it but I
thoroughly deserved it.’” it in the bushes. should have practised more when I was younger.
Most batsmen are surprised to see my stock ball
On the field both sets of players behaved in a very turns a long way. I notice recently that calling it the
sportsmanlike manner – no sledging, no arguing IAN TROTT’S SUCCESSFUL Chinaman is not politically correct.”
with the umpires and everyone showed respect
to their opponents. New Zealand was the first COMEBACK Another exponent is XL’s Tony McDonald Baker,
country, under Brendon McCullum’s captaincy, One of Forty Club’s friends – for some years he coached whose deliveries are much slower, dropping from
to put emphasis on enjoyment. There were no one of our opponents St. John’s School in Leatherhead a great height. Tony is still taking wickets, mainly
recriminations after the final, only congratulations – was back in England coaching East Molesey CC to caught or stumped, at the age of 78.
to the winner and heartfelt sympathy for the victory in the Surrey Championship last summer.
sporting, unlucky losers. The word Chinaman goes back to an incident in
Both East Molesey and Reigate Priory were unbeaten the Old Trafford Test in 1933 when Trinidadian Ellis
A thought emerged: if the result was reversed until the final round and the Moles triumphed. Ian is “Puss” Achong dismissed England’s Walter Robins
would England have been as generous as the father of England batsman Jonathan Trott and lives in with a left-hand leg-break. Robins said to umpire Joe
New Zealanders? South Africa in the winter. Hardstaff senior: “Fancy getting out to a Chinaman.”
10 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 11
TEAM 100!
N EWS ROUN D
The trouble with being in “lockdown” is that one
finds silly things to amuse oneself. One of the more
useless but still amusing pieces of information
gleaned from the database that Paddy is nursing
is that the Forty Club can field an entire team of
centenarians! A round of applause for all of them!
We have:
T Grimley (104, CP)
PT Kilgannon (101, CP)
ALA Oliver (104, CP)
RP Green (105, NT)
GK Medlock (106, NW)
JW Searby (105, NT)
OPF Sutton (thought to be 104, SO)
EHC Yates (105, SO)
AL Maxwell (100, SX)
JH Beresford (100, WM)
WR Cheetham (103, YN)
They also have our overseas player – R Gathorne
(100, from South Africa)!
I guess that Beresford and Maxwell would probably
open the bowling as they are the two youngsters,
Tony Bennett on one knee
with Kilgannon coming on as first change!
TOP DOLLAR EXTRAORDINARY FORTY CLUB turned out for the Forty Club in its formative years.
ACHIEVEMENTS He only appeared on six occasions but, by then in
Dollar Academy’s performance in their match against his late fifties, he was never dismissed for fewer
the Forty Club (Scotland District) was adjudged best Carl Openshaw has been Archivist to the Forty than 75 and he averaged a remarkable 203. Having
overall. The other schools and teams being considered Club for the past 20 years, and says he has often rarely bowled in first-class cricket, he also took 6
were QEGS Blackburn, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar been asked to decide whether outstanding wickets for 79 in 36 overs. The first professional
School, Ermysted’s Grammar School, Worksop College, performance in one of our matches represents a cricketer to receive a knighthood, he was President
Castle School Taunton, Lord Wandsworth College, St record for the Club. of the Forty Club from 1950 to 1955.
John’s School Leatherhead, Dover College and the
Mumbles CC Colts XI from Wales. He replies: “It is easy to check as over the years 2 Ivor Parker, 1994
a variety of statistics have been compiled, which In just seven days in the summer of 1994, Ivor Parker
The Forty Club Trophy, originally The Henry Grierson list the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers (a former Cambridgeshire left-arm fast-medium
Trophy, is awarded to the school that is adjudged not right back to the Club’s very first match in 1937. bowler and left-hand batsman) had successive
only to be good at cricket but just as importantly, well Since then the Forty Club has played more than innings of 116* v Kimbolton School, 136* v Gresham’s
turned out, has the highest standards of behaviour on 7,500 matches and what has become increasingly School and 100* v Old Bedfordians. Always an
and off the field, is well led by their captain and plays evident is that, as every true cricket lover knows, aggressive player, he dominated the scoring in all
to the highest standards of sportsmanship. statistics are only part of the story. Records can be three matches and the quality of the opposition can
set and broken, but to appreciate their significance be judged from the fact that only against Gresham’s
The Academy XI, captained by Toby Douglas, and with SCOTLAND’S NEWEST RECORD other factors have to be taken into account, was his contribution sufficient to save the Club from
Scotland U19 international Jamie Cairns in the team, including the quality of the opposition and the defeat. He made just one other century for the Club,
ticked all of these boxes. It was a great game to play BREAKER circumstances of the match. I decided therefore to scoring 101 out of 132 whilst he was at the wicket
in according to the players of the Forty Club, the boys This round-up would not be complete without put records to one side and look back through our against Perse School, again in a losing cause.
gave 100% on the field and were great ambassadors for the details of the Scotland district match against long history and try to assemble a list of individual
the school off it. Doune CC. Batting first, Scotland had posted a achievements which are outstanding in any 3 Dr CB Clarke, 1967
competitive 159-7 and Doune were making steady context, but especially so for players of advancing “Bertie” Clarke played three Test matches for the West
They won the match by five wickets with seven balls progress at 35-1 when the captain threw the ball to years. Others might have made different choices, Indies in 1939 before settling in England and playing
to spare. Dollar Academy is the third Scottish school Kevin Ferrie. Kevin was playing in his 100th match but I believe that the ten I have selected can club cricket here after WWII. He was a high-class leg-
to win the award after Glasgow Academy (2004) for the District and he celebrated in style. After two certainly be classed as extraordinary.” break and googly bowler and a useful batsman, who
and Gordonstoun (2006). The Trophy was presented Ferrie overs, Doune were 38-7 and Kevin had taken in 1967 enjoyed a golden few weeks for the Forty Club
at the Forty Club Annual Dinner at Lord’s on 15 a hat trick and four wickets in five balls giving him 1 Sir Jack Hobbs, 1938 to 1941 in which he took 32 wickets in just six matches at a
November by MCC President Kumar Sangakkara. an analysis of 5-4. He is Scotland’s newest record Although these selections are in no particular order, cost of eight runs each. In five of these games he took
Congratulations to Dollar Academy and all those that breaker and thanks to his fantastic performance, I can perhaps be forgiven for starting with Jack five or more wickets (including 8-22) and for good
represented it in the game. Doune were bowled out for 67. Hobbs, who was one of many Test players who measure there were two hat-tricks!
12 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 13
4 KG Metcalfe, 1960 would be seen as a great success. By his own high
N EWS ROUN D
Kenneth Metcalfe played 105 matches for the Forty standards though, it was a relative failure as in his On Monday, James helped us meet the costs of running
Club, spread over every season from 1955 to 1985. next 12 innings for the Club he made a remarkable
As a consistent opening batsman, averaging 26, his six centuries, including scores of 172, 164 and 152. a cricket coaching clinic for youngsters.
career was fairly uneventful, with one remarkable These were spread over several seasons since, as
exception. Shortly after arriving for the game a teacher, he was rarely available in the school
against Stamford School in 1960 he found himself, term. His form continued when he became more
as the match report states, “keeping wicket in an regularly available and his final total of 19 centuries
emergency”. Two hours later he had completed (highest score 189) places him comfortably at the
six stumpings (all off Rex Bullock, who took 7-14) head of the Club’s list of century makers. On Tuesday he helped us buy cricket training kit for
and a catch to set a Club record which has never disadvantaged youngsters overseas.
been beaten. Not surprisingly he was asked to keep 9 Francis Appleyard, 1961
the following year, when he took a catch and two No player has yet taken all ten wickets in an innings
more stumpings but there is no record of him ever for the Forty Club but Francis Appleyard came
keeping wicket again. close in 1961 when, at the age of 56, he took 9-24
against Victoria College, Jersey. Perhaps wisely, he
5 AB Jackson, 1977 did not rely too much on his fielders as no fewer
Brian Jackson’s figures of 13-9-4-3 against than seven of his victims were clean bowled and
On Wednesday James helped us to make a contribution
Stonyhurst College would be remarkable in any one LBW. Two years later he took 24 wickets in five to a Lords Taverners project.
level of cricket, but for the Forty Club they are quite matches at a cost of just 196 runs. Described as “a
exceptional. They were not, however, achieved in fast-medium bowler of impeccable line and length“,
isolation as his overall record for the four matches he was so successful in club cricket that Essex
he played that year was 9 wickets for 75 runs in 60 invited him to make his first-class debut at the age
overs. Having earlier had a successful county career of 42! He became President of the Forty Club in
for Derbyshire, he played 60 matches in the North 1971, but sadly died in his year of office. On Thursday it was four years since James passed away.
West District and in total took 102 wickets for the
Club at an average of 16.4 and a miserly economy 10 DCS Compton ct
rate of fractionally more than two runs per over. Ingleby-Mackenzie
b Dexter 66
6 Jon Fellows-Smith This item (from
All-rounders tend to be judged on whether they 1966) is included not
would be guaranteed a place in their team both because the score in
as a batsman and as a bowler. Only a handful of itself is remarkable,
batsmen who played regularly for XL have averaged but because members
over 50 and very few bowlers averaged under 20. today might be
Fellows-Smith (generally known as “Pom Pom”), amazed to learn that
who played four Tests for South Africa in 1960, did 50 or more years ago
both in a Forty Club career which continued until entries such as this on
1997 when he was 65. He ended with a batting a Forty Club scorecard
average (1,384 runs at 51.61) which was three times were not untypical.
higher than his bowling average (107 wickets at Between 1938 and
17.19)! 1975 more than 90
Test players played
7 David Money, 1948 -2001 for the Club, many of
When David Money was 30 and a master at them quite regularly.
Bedford School in 1948, the Forty Club side arrived For example, nine
for their match against the school “one short“ members of the side
and he was invited to make up the numbers. He which regained the
made 48 and was called upon again the following Ashes at The Oval
year again, and again, until he qualified as a in 1953 – Hutton,
40-year-old. He continued playing as a more than Edrich, May, Compton,
competent wicket-keeper/batsman (he scored Bailey, Evans, Laker, Make your wishes live on by writing us into your Will.
70 and took three catches and three stumpings Trueman and Bedser
against Felsted School in 1967) until 2001 and – later played for
holds a record, unlikely to be challenged, of XL, so members James’ gift to The Forty Club in his Will is a simple yet
appearing for the Forty Club in 49 consecutive playing today should powerful way to keep his wishes alive. You can do the same.
seasons (and 52 in total). recognise that they
are following in the Once you’ve taken care of your loved ones, please consider including
8 Andy Meads, 1986-2016 footsteps of some a gift to The Forty Club. No Matter how big or small, you can be sure
When Andy Meads made his debut in 1986 he very distinguished it will make a difference to the aims and ambitions of The Forty Club.
scored 88, which for most Forty Club players predecessors.
To request further information please call Barry Aitken on 01980 610836
14 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook
thirdly to Peter Ross, who, through his coaching, K u mar S an g akkara,
has been instrumental in any and all success that
we have seen in recent seasons. Hon orar y L i fe M e mb e r
DI N N ER
Kumar Sangakkara joined the ranks of our Honorary
It would be impossible at a time like this for me Life Members just before the 2019 Annual Dinner. His
not to mention Jamie Frost. Jamie was the Head association with the Forty Club began with a fantastic
of cricket at Dollar and, as I am sure many of you performance at the club dinner when, as the current
are aware, passed away recently. Jamie was an President of MCC, he gave an excellent speech,
extremely kind and generous man who welcomed presented the awards and was incredibly generous
anyone on to his pitch, regardless of their ability. to members, guests and schoolboys who wished to
As a result of this he instilled a love of the sport in spend time with a cricketing legend.
countless youngsters. Suffice to say I would not be
standing in front of you today if it were not for him. Sangakkara was educated at Trinity College, Kandy.
He enrolled in the Law Faculty of the University of
All that is left for me to say is, once again, thank you Colombo, but was unable to finish his degree due to
immensely for this award. Thank you for listening. his cricketing commitments but later completed his
I look forward to attending the Forty Club’s next Masters in Law.
fixture up North as a spectator.”
On being invited to become an Honorary Life
Barry Aitken then read a tribute to Jamie and called Member, he said: “I am very grateful to you for this
for a brief period of silence. He also read a message honour and am delighted to accept. I note the
from our Patron Prince Philip. distinguished cricketers who are Honorary Life
Members of the Club and am humbled to be joining
The Rev Andrew Wingfield Digby was on time this such illustrious company.”
year after he got the date wrong in 2018. President
John Barclay joked: “You’ve taken a year to get here!” We look forward to him being a great ambassador
for the Club.
Everyone was laughing and clapping as Andrew’s
K UMAR SHIN ES AG A IN AT LO RD’S anecdotes were unleashed in quick succession, all
about hilarious happenings from school matches,
at Oxford University, the Dorset Minor County side
M
any greats have spoken at our dinners Warwickshire, Durham, and Surrey, three IPL and at Lord’s. Andrew still plays as a medium-pace
– Jack Hobbs, Gubby Allen, the Duke of franchises, one in Jamaica, one in Australia, and bowler for the Dorset Over 60s side. He presented
Edinburgh, Colin Cowdrey, Peter May, two in Pakistan. the Herbert Hunter Trophy to Wales District
Mike Brearley, John Barclay, Trevor Bailey, chairman Phillip Stallard.
Tom Graveney, Ted Dexter, Lord Bramall and many In his 15-minute speech he stressed the need to
more – but none of them can match the all-round encourage youngsters to take up the game and in a
nomenclature of Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara, Q&A he said of the introduction of the controversial
born on 27 October 1977 in Matale, where XL once Hundred competition: “We have to see how it pans
played a match against its local club. out.” He spoke passionately in favour of Test cricket
and how it should be preserved. As he sat down
And no one in the game today is more respected after proposing the toast to the Forty Club he was
than Sangakkara – naturally he attracted a full greeted by a standing ovation.
house in the Long Room at Lord’s on November 15.
He has now become the first non-British person He then presented the Forty Club Trophy to Toby
to be President of MCC and in 2011 delivered one Douglas, the captain of Dollar School, for winning
of the finest Cowdrey Lectures at Lord’s, when he the schools’ cricket award and this is Toby’s speech:
exposed corruption in Sri Lanka. When he retired,
the President of Sri Lanka offered him the job as “I would like to start by expressing my immense
the Sri Lanka High Commissioner but he had other gratitude, on behalf of myself and school, for being
commitments and declined. presented this award. It really is an honour and has
provided quite the cherry on top to a series of great
His cricketing statistics are almost unequalled – fixtures against the Forty Club, to a good season for the
a total of 28,016 runs in international cricket in team, and ultimately to our schoolboy cricketing careers.
all formats, 134 Test appearances, 12,400 runs,
average 57.40, highest score 319, 38 centuries; 404 “I have a few particular thanks to give: firstly to the
ODIs, 14,234 runs, average 41.98, 25 centuries; 56 Forty Club for providing us with a fantastic fixture
IT20s, 1,382 runs, average 31.40; 260 first-class year-in and year-out that always proves to be a
appearances, 20,922 runs, average 52.40, and 64 competitive, friendly and exciting match; secondly
centuries. He has played for 14 clubs, starting to Dollar Academy for their continued support in
with the Nondescripts in Sri Lanka, and including fostering a healthy cricket set-up at the school; and
16 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 17
TOURS
Jim Keys comprehensively bowled
temporary sub fielder. Seeing a well-struck aerial
HOLLAND, SEPTEMBER 2019 shot heading his way, Pat deftly dropped his cap DUBAI, NOVEMBER 2019
in the path of the ball before moving several yards
GOING DUTCH
squarer, where he pretended to anticipate the ball
would spin. When the ball struck his discarded cap IT’S THE TAKING
we acquired five extra runs on top of the single PART…
T
he Eastern Counties squad tour from 9 already run – needless to say the only six of our
to 13 September did not start well, says innings. Having set Jaap’s XI 196 thanks to another An enthusiastic but ageing group of 13 players
Robert Smith, with the match against half-century from Jim Keys, Paul Bradley led our and three umpires enjoyed yet another tour to
Two Counties Over 50s abandoned due attack with 4-27, well supported by Rob Nelson and Dubai in November.
to persistent drizzle. Other early disappointments Sooty Wheeler (2-24). We caught almost as many
O
were opening batsman Kevin Grant having to pull Pinch hitters Pat Patel and Sudi Trivedi opened for catches as we dropped leaving the last two Dutch ur first match was at the Emirates 7s
out of the tour due to illness and Lance Taylor’s XL but did more pinching than hitting. This left Jim wickets to hold out for a draw for 22 overs in the ground, where dropped catches afflicted
plans for a romantic crossing to Holland in a luxury Keys with an accomplished 62 and Paul Wakefield last hour in a gripping finish. The Dutch finished on us as usual and we lost narrowly. Then
cabin dashed by the non-appearance of his lady (31) to get us back in the contest despite needing 104 for 9 with Jan Willem Heshusius and Donald amazingly our second match at Sharjah
friend. Things could only get better. almost six an over off from the last 30 overs. Jon Noorhof stoically blocking. stadium had to be postponed because of a deluge,
Hartley struck several lusty blows leaving us with so it seems climate change has reached even Dubai.
After dinner on the Stena Line overnight ferry 14 required off the last over and then four to tie Our final match was against a strong Quick In the rearranged match against the MS Dhoni
from Harwich we arrived at our hotel – 6.5 metres or six to win off the last ball. Alas, Jon did not Nijmegen XI, skippered by our old friend Theo van Academy we bowled well, with Daniel Eldering
below sea level – in time for breakfast. In beautiful connect, leaving us on 185 for 9, four runs short. Straten. Depleted by the absence of Paul Bradley and taking his first wickets (three of them) outside
sunshine we narrowly lost our first match against Rob Nelson, our bowlers were smashed airily for Europe, restricting our opponents to 175 off 40
a strong SGS side at Capelle a/d Ijssel, probably the After a boat trip to Delft on our free day we took 263 for 2 off 35 overs, a target we had no hope of overs. After a good start we were mesmerised by
lowest cricket ground in the world (also 6m below on Jaap Vogelaar’s friends of Kampong XI in overhauling through the long grass of the outfield, unpickable leg-spin, googlies and top-spinners from
sea level). Utrecht. Here we employed underhand tactics so we had to settle for a heavy defeat. Our best both ends, so ended up 12 runs short of victory
from the Dominic Cummings playbook to gain the batsmen were Paul Wakefield (35) and Lance Taylor despite a breezy knock of 31 from Rehan Malik.
Man of the Match Marc Muis, Raimond van den upper hand. Paul Wakefield (59) and Bob Collins (38*), Lance protecting keeper Kevin Bissett from the
Berg and Eric de Jong started the SGS innings (43) opened the innings so soporifically that by strike for the last 15 overs by assiduously counting The next day we were royally entertained as usual
aggressively, but Rob Nelson bowled Marc for the time Bob timed a shot off his legs the Dutch to five before taking a single off the last ball of each by Freddy Sidhwa at his beautiful private cricket
73 and we recovered well in the field, restricting square-leg fielder, Doednath, had almost fallen over. No one begrudged Lance a good, undefeated ground. We struggled to 135 off 35 overs against
SGS to 189 in their 40 overs thanks to accurate asleep, allowing the ball to run unnoticed past his knock as he had driven one of our minibuses a panoply of ex-UAE international bowlers invited
bowling by Paul Bradley (2-39) ably supported by foot for four. That gave us momentum. We then throughout the tour. As usual our performances in by Freddy to put the old colonialists to shame
Jon Hartley, Rob Nelson and Sooty Wheeler. cunningly offered the opposition Pat Patel as a the third innings, in the bar, were always our best. once again. Champagne moment was skipper
18 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 19TOURS
Skipper Simon Rawson bowling All the gang together at the culmination of the coaching day
Simon Rawson’s self-delusion that he needed by Geoff Barker. An amazing match with 741 runs THE GAMBIA, SPRING 2019
an “abdominal protector” to perform in the ended in victory by just nine of them.
bedroom as well as on the cricket field. Having
held the game up for about 10 minutes retrieving Our next match was against Abu Dhabi Gents on AFRICAN
it from the changing room, needless to say
Simon was out next ball. Freddy’s skilled team
the stadium nursery ground where we chased
204 disappointingly against good bowling and
ADVENTURE
had no trouble knocking off the runs despite fielding by a much younger side of expats. Then
X
a great catch in the deep by perennial club we returned to Sharjah stadium for our last match. L member Andy Shanks has been
hypochondriac Rob Nelson. Darjeeling had struggled to raise a team but ended travelling to the Gambia for many
up restricting us to 124 off 35 overs despite an years, and spends lots of time out there
The return journey in our bus was eventful for enterprising 41 from Kevin Bissett. Andy Gregory, coaching cricket. He has also spent huge
a rousing pep-talk by next day’s captain Jon Paul Bradley and Rob Nelson tied Darjeeling down amounts of his own money providing and shipping
Thornton and slightly less edifying words from well for a while but they eventually got home cricket equipment to them, writes Barry Aitken.
defeated skipper Simon Rawson, whose vocabulary with about three overs to spare, whereupon we
when inebriated was limited. Simon was put to renewed acquaintances old and new in the Irish So when he asked if the Forty Club would be
bed at the hotel oblivious to his surroundings but Village to complete another successful tour – interested in a tour to the Gambia, we said yes and
by midnight had amazingly come back to life, successful in the sense of Winston Churchill who planning began for an early 2019 spring tour. The
showered and donned new clothes for a night out defined success as “the ability to go from one schedule was eventually agreed, the hotel booked
on the town. He had no memory of most of the failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm”. and the flights confirmed and then, two days before
evening or the bus trip home. departure, the President of Gambia Cricket Association
emailed to cancel the tour “because he did not have
The following day we enjoyed our only victory the funds”. I responded quickly to state that we would
of the tour, against a Kings School Academy XI, be coming, regardless of his protestations, and looked
consisting of more adults than boys. Nigel Gadsby forward to meeting him at the hotel!
starred with 170, ably supported by half-centuries
from Geoffrey Barker and Sajid Zaib. We scored Gambia cricket survives mainly through the
375 for 5 in our 50 overs and initially it seemed we herculean efforts of Mbye Lowe, the national
would win comfortably. Then one of the school coach, and in spite of the interventions of the
coaches got to work with a spate of sixes over the Association’s President. When the meeting took
short boundaries, leaving the school on 366 for place on the first evening, it was soon clear that
9 with two overs to spare. Then, a masterstroke! there were going to be challenges! The first hit us
Skipper Jon brought Rehan Malik on to bowl for the following morning when transport to the first
the first time in the match; he started with two dot match, arranged by the Association’s President, Children climbing over the fence to catch a glimpse of the
balls and then snared the coach caught at mid-off Nigel Gadsby batting failed to materialise! Some time later, with frayed Forty Club playing
20 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 21TOURS
M ATCH
NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS
REPO RT S John Snow – Sussex,
Warwickshire and England
2019 cricketer
Dennis Silk – Cambridge
S EAS O N and Somerset cricketer, and
headmaster
Jack Bailey – Oxford and
Essex cricketer and former
MCC secretary
Rev Cecil Boden –
Leicestershire cricketer
Jack Gentry – Essex and
Surrey cricketer
CHRIST’S HOSPITAL, HORSHAM, WEST SUSSEX
A SCHOOL LIKE NO OTHER
T
A remarkable picture of Ross Taylor, our youngest and best player on the Gambian tour, taken by Barry Aitken umpiring at cover point. he headline above is displayed at entrances
He managed to avoid being hit! to the unique, 1,200-acre school and it
is doubly true. Not just because the 900
pupils of both sexes wear the dark blue
tempers and the use of three open pick-up trucks, through promising to rank beginner! When we Tudor uniform, known as cassock – first used when
we travelled the 20km to the ground where the played the girls, all the boys came to watch, and it was founded in 1552 – but also because one of
opposition was patiently waiting. From then on, when we played the boys, all the girls came along: their pupils, John Snow [right], turned out to be an
surrounded by the local cricketers and with Mbye great support! What we couldn’t fault was the extraordinary and controversial England fast bowler
in charge, things improved rapidly. enthusiasm and the excitement. The only match who also wrote poetry. Son of a Scots vicar, he spent
we won was against the girls XI but the coaching seven years there between 1952 and 1959.
Effectively Gambia has one cricket ground and day was considered a huge success, with a
it lies in the heart of the state capital Banjul. hundred kids spread out across the field. The school cricket coach is the much-travelled
Imagine if you will a well-worn carpet track with Trevor Jesty [above], who played 490 first-class
spring-back stumps, a rough and sandy outfield, Ross Taylor stood out with the bat for XL, scoring matches, scoring 21,916 runs and taking 585 wickets
a permanent pool of water by the hose outlet just 39, 24, 52 and 93; Rob Nelson took 4-38 in the for Hampshire, where he made his debut in 1966. His coaches are working on their fitness, technique, diet
behind square on the offside, and ever-present opening match and Mark Wheeler 4-37 against the career finished in 1991 after sojourns with Surrey, and all sorts of things.”
vultures flying in and out for a drink. Oh, and the under 19s; and Robert Smith scored a half century Canterbury, Griqualand West and Border. He went on
occasional small herd of goats wandering the in the final match, prompting suggestions of an to be a first-class umpire between 1993 and 2013. The XL match took place on 5 June and Paul
ground keeping the grass down! And then, to immediate retirement from the game! Lack, the XL match manager, assembled several
complete the picture – at least on one day – a Jesty’s first experience of facing Snow’s bowling was experienced new players and agreed on a 65 overs
vast parade of small children rehearsing for their Away from the field there was a four-hour river rather daunting. He said: “Snowy always bowled at match, 35 overs for XL and 30 for the school. XL’s
National Day! trip up the Gambia river to a slave settlement, a the sea end at Hove and reckoned when the tide batsmen were soon tested by the young bowlers and
day trip to Senegal, bird-watching was popular, was in it helped his swing. I’d been in a few minutes when Nigel Angus walked before being given caught
The track was lively when the opposition quickies Lance Taylor took a liking to the local golf when one of his deliveries flew up and I gloved it to behind Trevor said: “You don’t see that happening
bowled, wicket-keeping was a challenge, and course and life at the hotel revolved around gully, out for a duck.” very much these days. Good to see it.” A tall,
fielding skills were tested to the limit as balls sunbathing, sea-bathing and more sunbathing. 16-year-old leg spinner Gus Freeman, who is at the
would impetuously fly over a fielder’s head or turn Was he as fast as today’s bowlers – like Jofra Archer Sussex Academy, stood out with his control and had
sharply on a tuft of grass. As tours go this was different! Very pleasant, at and Mark Wood? “Nothing like as fast. In our day the best figures of 3-41 in XL’s 194.
times exasperating, mostly very enjoyable, forever coaches didn’t coach. I remember when I made my
We played five matches and were involved in one hot, always entertaining and fun at the cricket, and debut Roy Marshall was captain and I wanted some Ben Kinnear, the 1st Xl skipper, was doing an exam
children’s coaching day and one “elite players” surrounded by bubbly, fun, laughing and curious advice from him but he said: ‘See how it goes then’. but joined his team after tea and came in at the
coaching session. Most of the matches were 30 local cricketers. The two evenings when we were Derek Shackleton was in his prime as a medium-fast second wicket to score an unbeaten 26. XL veteran
or 35 over affairs against “invitation XIs”, and the guests of the British High Commissioner and the bowler and I would have liked to learn from him too. keeper Mark Wheeler changed roles halfway through
schedule included one T20 against the girls XI, Indian Consul respectively were much enjoyed He took me to the nets, pointed to a box of balls and the innings, which lasted 29.2 overs and proceeded
and one match against the under 19 team. All and, were it to be proposed that we return, the said: ‘Take them out and bowl at the wicket.’ After I’d to tempt the two batsmen with his lob bowling. He
great fun, with local skills ranging from excellent, suggestion would I think be well supported. bowled them, he said: ‘Keep doing that,’ and walked was rewarded with a wicket. Only two wickets fell
off. Today’s bowlers are faster because medics and but batsmen had to work hard for their runs.
22 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 23SCHOOL MATCHES
DOLLAR ACADEMY, SCOTLAND ERYMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, NORTH YORKSHIRE
DOLLAR IN THE POUND SEATS who had taken four wickets earlier in the day, join ED CROFT STARS AT HISTORIC Tea was excellent with a fine array of sandwiches
Ansott to take them to the brink of victory. Smith’s and cakes, and it was with a heavy heart/stomach
BOLTON ABBEY
I
n a low-scoring game, the Dollar boys fine all-round effort ended near the end when he that the players tore themselves away from the
T
batted, bowled and fielded with talent and was bowled for a patient 20, but Ansott top-scored in he inaugural fixture between the Forty repast. Ermysted’s Louis Horsfield looked good at
commitment, demonstrating discipline, finishing off the job, just missing out on what would Club and Ermysted’s Grammar School, the top of the order, hitting a nice 42, and Sam
energy and resolve at different stages in have been a well-deserved half century as he steered Skipton was played on a gloriously sunny Pilling also produced some decent shots for his
the match. A well-drilled bowling attack had the his team to a thoroughly deserved five-wicket win with day at the picturesque setting of Bolton 38. The school was going along nicely at 117-2 but
Forty Club under pressure from the outset, with Tim seven balls remaining. Abbey CC. It produced a cracker of a game with the introduction of Heke put the brakes on and the
Preston-Jones the only member of the visiting side some excellent cricket from both sides and will now school slumped to 130-6.
to threaten at any stage to take the initiative before The boys were well turned out and played in the true become a regular part of the fixture list.
he was beaten by Scotland under 19 cap Jamie spirit of cricket. They never gave up whether in the Looking in some trouble, the school batsmen
Cairns, wicket-keeper Wright completing the job field, bowling or batting. The captain showed great Ermysted’s was founded way back in 1492 when remained calm despite the required run rate climbing
with a neat stumping. experience by setting good fields that frustrated Christopher Columbus was sailing his ships across over 9 per over. Ed Croft was still at the crease and
many of the XL attempts to push along the score. We the Atlantic to “discover” America and the school has he was looking increasingly assured as boundaries
From that point the relentless accuracy of the attack, were also impressed by the lack of panic when they been one of the best state schools in the country started to come. With seven needed for victory off
enthusiastically encouraged by their teammates batted. The counter-attack and running between the ever since. the final over he smote a superb six over long on
throughout a long vigil in the field, left the XL with wickets was very impressive. second ball before finishing the match by creaming
no option but to ‘engage obdurate’ mode. With The XL set about the task of compiling a a four off the next ball to give Ermysted’s victory by
a couple of rain interruptions reducing available challenging score on a pitch that was on the slow four wickets. He finished on 79* from just 57 balls
time, the only chance of presenting a challenge NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS side. A steady start from openers Steve Dalby and and the seventh wicket stand was worth 94, of which
was to occupy the crease and test the youngsters’ Sir James Dewar – inventor of the vacuum flask new member David Hedges laid the platform in the No.8 Oscar contributed just nine!
composure by forcing them to earn their chance to Lord Heyworth of Oxton – Chairman of Unilever and ICI face of some tight Ermysted’s bowling and at drinks
chase a low total in as little time as possible. The John Barclay – Scotland rugby international the score was 60-1.
club ultimately ground their way to a round 100 Rory Lawson – former Scotland rugby international
before being bowled out in the 59th over, leaving Susan Jackson – rifle shooter, three times Commonwealth Hedges eventually fell for a fine 68 but the middle NOTABLE FORMER PUPILS
Dollar with 30 overs to chase those down on a fairly Games medalist order ensured the good start wasn’t wasted as they Simon Beaufoy – scriptwriter of films such as Slumdog
lifeless pitch and an outfield that had started slow Graeme Morrison – former Scotland rugby international accelerated quickly in the last 15 overs. Boundaries Millionaire and The Full Monty
and had become more so due to the showers. Jennifer McIntosh – rifle shooter, five times Commonwealth started to flow, although the sound of bat on ball Chris Mason – BBC political correspondent
Games medalist and two-time Olympian was drowned out briefly as a helicopter flew just Mick Scothern – Worcestershire cricketer
The mettle of the home side was duly tested when Shirley McIntosh – rifle shooter, four times Commonwealth past the ground at the far end, dropping diners off George Thornton – Yorkshire cricketer
star man Cairns and fellow opener Lapray were both Games medalist at the nearby famous Devonshire Arms, owned by Rick Holden – Oldham Athletic and Manchester City
removed without scoring, while two of the middle Seonaid McIntosh – rifle shooter, double Commonwealth the Duke and Duchess. Kevin Owens hit 48* off 40 footballer
order, Hutton and Douglas, followed them back soon Games medalist balls, Dayne Heke weighed in with 25 off 15 balls Andy Hodgson – Bradford Bulls rugby league player
after. At four down, many school teams would have Sara Mendes da Costa – voice of the speaking clock and Gary Owens finished things off with 35 off 24
panicked, but an impressive partnership saw Smith, Tom Kitchin – Michelin-starred chef balls to take NE to 220-6 off their 40 overs.
24 The Forty Club 2020 Yearbook https://thefortyclub.play-cricket.com 25You can also read
