Nicholas John Harper played for Sydenhurst Ramblers and Brook from 1954 to 1979 - usually opening the innings; batting left-handed.
His first game for the Ramblers was on 4th September 1954 v. Horsley and in 1955 he played two more matches, scoring 79 versus Dunsfold (his first half century). He had 4 games in 1956; 5 in 1957 building up to 23 games in 1959 when he scored his first century (102* v. Zombies at Brook) and 9 half centuries during that season.
He scored 2 hundreds in 1960 and 3 in 1962. Thereafter he produced at least one century every year - except 1968 - through to 1970. This included 179* versus Reading at Earley in 1967 - still the highest individual score by a Rambler in the club’s sixty-four years history.
Nic made 19 hundreds in his Ramblers' career, also - to date - 3 more than any other player.
In 312 innings, he was not out on 57 occasions and amassed 12,100 runs, the second largest amount for the club. He scored 84 fifties, also the second best achievement. Finally, with the bat, the records show that Nic scored 500 runs a season 12 times - 4 more than any other player.
As a left-arm medium pace - and later - spin bowler, Nic bowled 1283.1 overs in his career, taking 230 wickets for 4026 runs with 254 maidens; average 17.5. He took 5 wickets in an innings on 10 occasions - his best being 7/28 v. Waterlooville in 1972, although he did take 6 wickets for 8 runs v. Liphook in 1964.
Nic also kept wicket during his Ramblers' career in 19 matches. He secured 17 wickets (10 caught; 7 stumped) and let through 101 byes. He was the third most successful fielder - holding 131 catches.
For Brook, I can report that Nic played from 1957-1977 - mainly on Saturdays in the days before league cricket.
During this period he had 162 innings; was not out 28 times; scored 7044 runs; highest score 152*; average 52.57. He made 12 hundreds and 20 fifties, exceeding 500 runs per season 9 times. He was involved in the highest first wicket stand up to 1989 - 252 v. Grasshoppers at Brook in 1967. This still remains the third best in the history of Brook cricket.
In limited overs competitions he was also involved in a record first wicket stand - 210 (with Tony Wood) against Kew in the Kemp Cup in 1969. This ensured Brook to reach a semi-final v. Westcliff on Sea - which they narrowly lost.
With the ball, Nic secured 5 wickets in an innings twice in 1964 and held 11 catches in one season in 1970.
He was elected a Life Member of Brook CC in 1986.
Nic was born at Forest Hill, London on April 11th, 1939. He went to Caterham School and played in the Ist XI for four years (1954-57), captaining in the last two.
He played one first class match for Cambridge University (1961) but did not gain a blue. He also played for Surrey (CCC) Young Amateurs XI while at school (1956/57) and later was a playing member of M.C.C. and Surrey Grasshoppers.
Nic married Belinda in 1964 and they had four children - Penny, Hugh, Helen and Mark. They moved up to the Yorkshire Dales on his retirement in 2006, but Nic was already undergoing treatment for cancer. Sadly this finally overcame him on Saturday, November 13th, 2010.