EARLY HISTORY

The national summer game of cricket in south-west Surrey and, in particular, the village of Chiddingfold, has close historical ties with Hambledon and Broadhalfpenny Down. Indeed Tom Walker, a stalwart of the famous club and known for his stone-wall batting and round-arm bowling, lived in Chiddingfold and died there in 1831, aged 68.  

Chiddingfold Cricket Club had its home at Sydenhurst, a country house estate behind St.Mary's church and could trace its existence from at least 1881 until World War II. The village before the War had, in fact, fielded 2 cricket clubs. The other was more properly known as Chiddingfold Working Mens' C.C. and played next to the village school on Petworth Road. There was allegedly intensive rivalry between the clubs.  

During the War the Sydenhurst ground was ploughed up "for the War effort", and in the autumn of 1945 it was felt by returning members that it would cost too much to re-lay. It was decided to adopt the name Sydenhurst, and - in so far as the club would henceforth, be playing 'away' - to add 'Ramblers' to the club's title. 

The prime mover of the new Sydenhurst Ramblers C.C. was F.T."Mike" Gauntlett, its first Captain who was supported by Harold Cooper, the club's first Chairman and Winton Dean, the first Hon. Secretary. 

The club's first match was against Farncombe CC at Broadwater, near Godalming on Sunday, July 7^th, 1946 and Ramblers won by 8 wickets.

A fortnight later the Ramblers defeated Brook & Sandhills CC by 146 runs. Mike Gauntlett already had good connections both at the Kennington Oval and Northlands Road, Southampton for - on this occasion - the Ramblers included J. F (Jack) Parker, the Surrey batsman who had been chosen to go on the (cancelled) 1939-40 M. C. C tour to India. He contributed 84 runs. Later years would see a number of other well known names taking the field under the Ramblers' flag. Ten fixtures were crammed into the first season - all local, including 3 games v. Merrow. Five were won, four lost with 1 drawn. 

Twenty seven games were played in 1947 and Mike Gauntlett became the Club's first centurion (111* v. Alton at Courage Sports Ground). His undefeated partnership of 205 for the 4^th wicket with Harry Izzard (88*) remains a Club record. 

Ramblers, led by their captain, Mike Gauntlett, take the field v. Havant in their very first Tour match Tuesday, August 7th 1951. From l to r. Reg.Pierce, Norman Mullins, Charlie Izzard, David Dyer, Doug Leach, Frank Broadbent, Mike Gauntlett, Cyril "Mac" McClintock, Havant umpire, 'Gobbo' Hetherington (Ramblers' umpire), Harry Izzard (substitute for Stanley Hodges). Not in the picture - Alf Gover (Surrey & England), David Gover and Hodges. 

The scorebook shows that Havant won easily, having bowled out the Ramblers for 82, by 8 wickets. They continued batting to be all out for 124. Alf Gover returned bowling figures of 7-34 including 3 wickets in 4 balls. The time was still only 5.30pm and so Ramblers batted a second time. Once again they were bowled out in an hour and quarter for 68 and presumably repaired to the bar to drown their sorrows!

The following day, Mike Gauntlett took 6-34 at Hayling Park, but Ramblers lost to Hayling Island by 35 runs. On the Thursday at Fareham, Harry Izzard took 6-34 aided by Norman Mullins behind the stumps (3 stumpings and 1 catch), but rain forced a draw. 

Memories are more particularly clear of subsequent tours based at the "Greypoint Hotel", Findon, nr Worthing, West Sussex. Here the the new club undoubtedly established its liking for such undertakings which have largely survived the following 50 years. 

The Club song originated from the sing-songs that took place on the hotel staircase in the early hours of most days. It is sung to the hymn tune "The Church is one foundation….." 

'We are the Sydenhurst Ramblers.

Blow you Mike, I'm alright!'  

Fixtures on tour included Findon, St.Andrew's, Burgess Hill, Stonor, Keymer & Hassocks and Henfield. 

In 1961 the Tour switched to the West Midlands, based at the Black Boy Hotel, Bewdley and later, the George Hotel, Solihull. Fixtures included Moseley Ashfield, Worcestershire Ramblers, Worcestershire Gentlemen, Claverley, Knowle & Dorridge, Solihull and Cpt.R. H. Hawkins' XI at Everdon Hall, Daventry (see 'Memory Lane').

Many feats are remembered of which perhaps the best were the 2 hat-tricks in the same innings secured by Gerry Cogger (7-19) at Heritage v. Martin Crossley's XI in 1963 and the despatching of Knowle & Dorridge the following year for a mere 22  (Cogger 7-10)  - the lowest score ever against the Ramblers.

In 1968 the Tour switched to Dorset and ran for the following four seasons. The party stayed initially at the Bramble Hill Hotel in the New Forest and later in Sherborne where in 1970 filming of "Good Bye, Mr.Chips" starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark was taking place. Fixtures included Dorset Rangers at Bovingdon Camp and Lulworth Castle, Sherborne Ushers, Sherborne Town and Dorset Agrarians at Hampshire CCC, Northlands Road, Southampton.

The last tour until 1990 took place in 1972.