Press release - Sunday, 19th May, 1985

Sydenhurst Revival

The fortunes of this once great local cricket club have dwindled in recent years, to the point where it was debatable whether the club would continue to exist, let alone render a good account of itself.

Sydenhurst visited their old and loyal friends Haslemere on Sunday, determined to make amends for their poor performance in the last few seasons. They took a well balanced vintage Ramblers' side of which Michael Gauntlett was the most senior - his association with the Club going back to the mid 1950s.

Sydenhurst won the toss and invited Haslemere to bat. Sanderson and Charter kept the openers down to 11 runs in the first 12 overs - with only Lee Walton, who scored 21, being able to play his strokes. At one stage Haslemere were 49 for 6, but the brothers I.Futcher (26) and M.Futcher (12) helped Haslemere to a total of exactly 100.

Len Sanderson and Nick Falkner opened for Sydenhurst against the pace attack of Graham Boxall and knocked the required runs off in 27 overs. This performance went some way to re-establishing Sydenhurst as a credible local club.

Scores:     Haslemere 100 (I.Futcher 26; L.Walton 21)

                 Ramblers 101 for no wicket (N.Falkner 69*; L.Sanderson 29*)

(click on image to expand)

BR(l-r) Ron Etherington (umpire), Peter Hodges, Les Smithers, Jeremy Browne, Paul Knight, Mike Willis, Stephen Charter, Nick Pearse

FR (l-r) Len Sanderson, Nick Falkner, Chris Terry, Michael Gauntlett