Cricket is recorded as having been played as long ago as 1764 on this delightful ground. It is situated on a common just outside the village of the same name, some 11 miles from Brighton, and is described in H.F. & A.P.Squire's "Henfield Cricket" (pub.1949) as being the "Cradle of Sussex Cricket".
The Ramblers first played at Henfield in 1948 and subsequently had 26 games here through to 1975 of which they won 7, lost 12, drew 6 with 1 game abandoned. Indeed they lost 10 of the first 13 matches to opponents who had a board in their pavilion giving a long list of Henfield players who had represented Sussex. Incidentally the pavilion was erected in 1926 and opened by A.E.R.Gilligan.
The team photograph shows both sides who took part in the 1952 match which, despite the best efforts with the bat by Jim Pollard (40) in the middle order, was lost by 7 wickets. Henfield batted on and Trevor Adcock - a thorn in many a Ramblers' side during this period - hit 86* (3x6, 14x4).
Faces still familiar to some are (from the left):
Back row: 5-Ingleby Jefferson; 6-Michael Thorn
Middle row: 4-Lionel Wood; 5-Ronnie Gethen; 7-Jim Pollard
Front row: 1-Kay Izzard (Scorer); 3-Alan Hardy; 4-Charlie Izzard (Captain)