2008 - Club News

As you probably know, I am techno-phobe and I don't go anywhere near a computer unless I absolutely have to. I rely on my secretary and my children. However, youngest brother Jonathan and I were having a little look at the Sydenhurst website the other day and were very impressed by all the fantastic work that you do. We came across the section on "First Class Cricketers", which made extremely interesting reading. However, there are a few characters who are still missing from that list, of which I have personal knowledge when I was captain. Firstly, on the existing list, Mike White also played for the Army when it was a first class side. Hugh Wilson is spelt Hew not Hugh and, if you've got the appropriate score book for 1978, you will find that he played for me at Basingstoke. He was one of Malcolm Wiseman's babes when he was at Highfield. So much for the cricketers that you've already recorded.

Now here are a few more.

John Ayling, of Hampshire, played for me two years running against the Hampshire Hogs. He was lent by Peter Sainsbury. He was a useful medium pace bowler. Early in my captaincy, John Holder, the Test Match Umpire and Hampshire quick bowler, played for me against the Southampton Touring Club on the number one ground at Southampton. He had been injured and was getting back into form. Bowling on a perfect wicket, in very hot weather, he was the only man that I can remember who made Gordon Smith stand back about 20 yards. Gordon was taking the ball, on the rise, above his head.

Sticking with Hampshire, Bob Cottam, of Midhurst, Hampshire and England also played for me but I can't remember where. Like Pete Lewington, he also played against the Ramblers; in Bob's case, for Midhurst.

Then there was Nico Pretorius. With Alan Donald, Nico was part of the fastest opening partnership in the world. He played for me when he was in England, particularly against the Stragglers of Zimbabwe who had no difficulty dispatching him, to all corners of the park, for 0 for 94 if my memory serves me right. I caught up with Nico when I was in South Africa with Malcolm Hooker, when the Maniacs played a day night match against the Orange Free State at Harvena, where the entire Orange Free State side was in action.

Through Mike White, I met Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, who was Captain of the Army in the 1970's. I am uncertain as to whether they were still regarded as a first class side in Ian's time. He was a bit like Michael Vaughan in that he was a thinking captain and a useful batsman. He introduced me to most of the Army side, many of whom played for me regularly. In the forefront of those was Len Sanderson, who went on to Captain Sunbury, against whom the Ramblers had a fixture. Len was a left-handed opening bat and a very fine bowler and I believe he played a few games for Warwickshire because he was friendly with Pete Lewington, who I suspect had also been in the Army side at one time. I see that you recorded Nick Falkner playing against Haslemere in 1985. In fact, he opened with Len Sanderson and I seem to remember that we won by 9 wickets.

Len was still at the Albany Barracks, when I knew him. I used to drive up to London to fetch him, together with Steve Dove-Dickson, an outstanding Army batsman and England Hockey International. Steve was an ordinary Private Soldier but his father was an Air-Vice Marshall. When Len Sanderson left the Army, as a Private Soldier, rather surprisingly, he became the Advertising Director of the Daily Telegraph. He was a far more competent administrator than the Army ever acknowledged.

Then there was a chap called Rolly Faye. He was the Army wicket keeper. Like Gordon Smith, he was of advancing years but he was still a very useful keeper and I guess he would have played for the Army when it was a first class side.

The Army squad relate to my second period as Captain in the 1980's.

And now, perhaps I could ask you a question. As I recall, I became Captain of the Ramblers, for the first time, in about 1975 and resigned, in favour of Julian Ince, in 1978. The 1975/6 side was very strong. Can you tell me, from your records, whether that was an unbeaten side either in 1975 or in 1976? Or is that one of the periods for which the records no longer exist?

The President and his wife will also be in attendance, as will Kevin and Rosemary Lillis. We will assemble on the previous evening and have our usual dinner at The Ship Inn, East Stour, with Malcolm and Jackie Hooker as our guests. There are two fundamental changes from previous years. Firstly, please note the match begins at 11.30am. Secondly, lunch will be taken, for the first time ever, in Malcolm’s new pavilion (there is a grand opening the week after we are down there).

As everyone knows, this is a family weekend and more wives and children than ever before are coming as supporters. To that end, I have booked two hotels and will send an accommodation advice in the next few days.

Team for today v Reigate Pilgrims
2pm

1. Hudson R.
2. Hamilton J.
3. Davenport B.
4. Lowe F.
5. Hardy A,.
6. Wilson S.
7. Bishop E.
8. Selway O.
9. Prynne D
10. Butler S
11. Hilton P

The possibility of touring Malta at Easter 2009 is under consideration and members are requested to express their interest in what would be the 3rd occasion the Club will have made to this venue.

John Hamilton

Brian Davenport

Ollie Selway

Ollie Bristowe

Fred Lowe

James Straker

Brad Harvey

Russell Farnham

Simon Miller

Patrick Owen-Browne

John Prynne or Hugo Milford-Scott

Weather forecast not very good!