From the "Surrey Advertiser" - 2nd July 1977

On Sunday, away from the pressures of the Surrey Championship, I took a Free Forester side to Brook, writes Guildford's Charles Woodhouse.

Although Brook made 293-3 before their captain David Bayfield declared, it was an enjoyable day on what must have been one of the pleasantest grounds in the country.

Brook must also be one of the best sides in the Home Counties not now playing in a league. I understand they were invited to join the Surrey Cricketers' League some years ago, but turned down the offer.

I sensed, on Sunday, that the climate at Brook, once firmly against league cricket, might now be changing.

The late Mike Gauntlett will always be remembered for his great contribution to Brook and the Sydenhurst Ramblers, who formed in 1946.

His son, Michael, now secretary of Brook, told me that the Ramblers grew out of the old Sydenhurst club of Chiddingfold and started with one asset, namely a roller, after the war.

It is fitting that a Mike Gauntlett memorial scorebox is now being erected at the Brook ground because no man could have done more to build up two such respected clubs as Brook and the Ramblers.

Having played in 1958 as a schoolboy for Witley in what was probably the side's last derby with Brook, I remember Witley's disappointment when the fixture ended.

With players like Lionel and Tony Woods (sic), Gerry Cogger, Chris Terry and Nic Harper, as well as Richard Jefferson and Andrew Barker on occasions, Brook and the Ramblers produced very strong sides in the Sixties and early Seventies and this is reflected in their fixture list.

On Sunday, Brook's side included a recent Oxford blue, Martin Lloyd, Charterhouse cricket master, Andrew Morrison, who made a resounding 150, Roy Hardy, a consistent run scorer, and good seam bowlers Leslie Smithers and Jeremy Browne.

It was good to see Brigadier Mike White at Brook on Sunday. He too has made a significant contribution to Brook cricket with particular emphasis on their flourishing colts. He leaves in September to live in Guernsey. But he says he will still run the Incogniti, another wandering club like the Free Foresters, who enjoy being in Brook's fixture list.

For the Foresters on Sunday, a former Guildford captain, Jim Stallibrass, who did much to bring on and encourage such "young lads" in the Sixties as Dick Humphrey and Eric Neller, was batting and bowling with all his old skill and enthusiasm.

Brook's wicket was excellent. Here they are fortunate to have Ron Perrin, the Charterhouse groundsman and, incidentally, captain of a much revived Guildford Wednesday XI this season.