Cpt.R.H. "Dick" Hawkins's XI, Everdon Hall

'Dick' Hawkins discovered Brook and the Ramblers in the 1960s. He was a member of the Jockey Club which took him to Goodwood and had dallied at the "Dog & Pheasant" on his journey where he met Mike Gauntlett. In 1966 he arranged a tour in the South for his side which was based at the lovely Everdon Hall, nr. Daventry, Northamptonshire. They met the Ramblers at Brook on June 24th where an excellent lunch proved the Ramblers' undoing. From 105-3 they were all out for 157 and beaten by teatime by 8 wickets.

Ramblers' first visit to Everdon Hall was at the end of their Midlands tour on August 19th also in 1966. Ramblers again batted first and declared at tea 169-4 (Hugh Gauntlett 69). They had Hawkins' XI 61-4 with 40 minutes play remaining when John Wild (Northants 1953-61) came to the wicket. He proceeded to hit 103 runs including 17 boundaries to win the game in the last over.

Ramblers had their first win at Brook in 1967 thanks to some excellent bowling by Ron Glover (6-52). Hawkins' XI declared at tea 191-8. Tony Wood and Nick Harper were back in the hutch for 17 in only the 5th over but Peter Hodges (84) and Roger Scott (52*) helped Ramblers to a 6 wicket victory.

Ramblers v. R.H.Hawkins' XI, Brook 1967

Back row: Peter Hodges, Michael Gauntlett, Roger Scott, David Kemp, Gordon Smith, Chris Terry. Front Row: Pat Meen, Ron Etherington (umpire), Tony Wood, Nick Harper

The return match on the Midlands Tour that year was drawn and was perhaps better known for the acquisition on the way to Everdon of a globe from a belisha beacon. Seen below examining same before the game are Don Barnes, Roger Perrin, Tony Wood and Hugh Gauntlett.

Five further matches were played up to 1971. One's memories of this beautiful ground are of it's manorial setting and the wicket-gate through which 'Dick' Hawkins would appear, crossing straight to the wicket expecting the visiting captain to join him to toss for innings at the appointed hour; the hollyhocks that bedecked the lovely old wooden pavilion (seen in the introduction to BBC TV Test match coverage); the cramped changing rooms lacking showers; the fantastic teas and the keg of export lager provided after the game.

'Dick' Hawkins established a reputation in later years as a great host and also lead his team on 7 lengthy tours to Australia and South Africa. Tony Huskinson wrote of him (Rothmans Book of Village Cricket 1992) as providing so much enjoyable cricket due "a genial despotism....a profound sense of sportmanship, and an awareness that the morrow will bring a hefty hangover". He died in late August,1997.