I don’t recall how I came to play with the Sydenhurst Ramblers in the summer of 1961.  I was on home leave from Kenya that year, and played on the Kenya Kongonis tour, which may have included a game at Brook.  John Francis was also in UK that summer and, possibly, it may have been through him, that I joined the Ramblers. As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail, we knew John and Jean in Kenya when he was with Shell, and ran a travelling club team called the Straggling Scallops, with whom I also played a number of games.

 

Then again, after I was demobbed from the Army in 1952, I had a season with Farnham Cricket Club, before I went to Kenya .  I also played with them whilst on leave in 1956 and again in 1961, so it may have been someone from Farnham who suggested the Sydenhurst Ramblers.   Or it might even have been someone from the South Oxfordshire Amateurs, with whom I played in my final summer at Pangbourne in 1949.

 

In any event, I played 10 matches with the Sydenhurst Ramblers in that 1961 season, featuring in both the bowling and batting averages. I’ve scanned the names in those averages, but I’m afraid no one comes to mind.  I do remember, however, playing one match with Ken Barrington.  Our paths had crossed once before in the Army, when we both played for Aldershot District.  I had not long been conscripted, and he was about to be demobbed.  As I recall, Ken was then more of a bowler, and I, somehow, batted above him in the order!

 

My memories of those 10 matches have not lingered, I fear, but the one thing I do remember is the very high standard of cricket we played – both the Club and its opposition.  I felt privileged to be amongst such talented exponents of the game.

 

Just before Kenya became independent in 1963, my family and I moved to Australia , and in the years that followed, I visited Brook during a couple of summers when the Kenya Kongonis were playing there. The cricket ground, pavilion and Dog and Pheasant across the road were the same as I remembered from 1961.  In those days, we had two small children who bedded down in the back of our Taunus station wagon outside the Dog and Pheasant, as we enjoyed some fellowship inside. At one after-match gathering, I remember our captain, upon learning that we were considering emigrating to Australia , observing that one reason why we shouldn't was that 'Aussies only washed their cars once a month!'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was certainly a joy going back through the scorebook for 1961. Ian Lindsay played his first game against Nottingham University - who were on a southern tour, at Brook on Wednesday, July 5th. Tony Wood (80) and Pat Meen (51) put on 94 for the 6th wicket after Ramblers were struggling on 55-5. Ian was LBW without scoring; opened the bowling with Roger Perrin without taking a wicket - but did hold a catch. Ramblers lost by 5 wickets.

The following Sunday, Ramblers went down to Littlehampton and thrashed a win by 9 wickets. Ian bowled second change and  took 3-50 in 15 overs with 5 maidens. Of the 9 wickets that fell, 7 were caught. Tony Wood (63) and Roy Hardy (55) put on 102 for the first wicket.

Ian played for the Ramblers on Wednesday 12th at Brook v. Mid-Surrey and hit a six before being run-out for 11 before Ramblers declared @ 237-6. Tony Wood, bowling second change, took 6-12 in 9.3 overs with 5 maidens - his best performance with the ball in the 13 years he had been playing for the Ramblers. Ramblers won by 146 runs.

The following Sunday, Ramblers played the Wiltshire Moonrakers - also at Brook. Gerry Cogger hit 91* - his highest score for the Club, but the game was drawn. Ian did not bat; he bowled 4 overs for 17-0.

On Sunday July 23rd, the Ramblers travelled up to Oxfordshire to play Abingdon CC by the river Thames at Hales Meadow. Ian took 1-30 in his 9 overs before the home side declared at tea 169-7. Nic Harper(83*) and George Marples(66*) saw Ramblers home to an 8 wickets win.

The following Wednesday 26th, it was back to Brook to play Stoner CC. Nic Harper (86) and Roger Fortin(71) put on 173 for the first wicket and Ramblers declared on 260-6 - their highest total in 1961. Richard Jefferson - batting at no.4 - hit 6 sixes in his 49. Ian did not bat and - presumably pulling a muscle or whatever - having been given the ball to open the bowling, only delivered one over. Mike Blandford secured 4 wickets for 5 runs in 2.1 overs to help Ramblers to a 139 runs victory.

And so, two days later, on to Northlands Road, Southampton to play Hampshire County Club & Ground. Arthur Holt, the Hampshire coach had included 7 players who had played - or would eventually - play First Class cricket. This, of course, was the year that Hampshire eventually won the County Championship. Needless to report Hampshire scored 229-2 declared and bowled the Ramblers out for 197. For the Ramblers, Pat Meen - batting no.3, scored a splendid 93. Ian bowled 4 overs without success and failed to score with the bat!

On Sunday 30th, the Ramblers returned to Broadwater to play their very first opponents in the Club's history (July 1946) - Farncombe CC. The home side declared at 191-7 (Richard Jefferson took 4-79 in 18 overs). After a reasonable start Ramblers reached 84-2, still needing a run a minute. Unfortunately, the Farncombe fielding was obviously very good. Seven of the eight wickets they secured were catches; plus a run-out. Ramblers finished on 172-8 to secure a draw. Ian, batting no.8, was undefeated on 27.

On Thursday, August 8th, Ramblers played Sandu CC at Brook. Sandu batted first and scored 184-4 declared and then bowled Ramblers out for 159 - only after Nic Harper (40) and Tony Wood (46) had provided a good first wicket stand of 86. Ian bowled 5 overs - securing 1-43. Sadly he was bowled 0.

Thus we come to Ian Lindsay's last game for the Ramblers - at East Grinstead on Sunday, September 3rd. The Ramblers batted first and and declared on 253-6. Ian, batting no.7, hit 48 runs in 36 minutes, including 2 sixes and 8 fours. He then bowled 6 overs for only 11 runs - sadly without a wicket. Chris Terry did secure 5-14 and Tony Wood 3 for 2 in 4.5 overs. Ramblers won a rain affected game by 161 runs.