THE area known as Outwood was, in the early years of the nineteenth century, a very isolated spot - indeed a writer in the 1880's stated that "the traveller could not reach it by road, for the place was divided from the rest of the world by at least four miles of green lines." By the mid-nineteenth century, our source goes on, "there was not what the people now call one of the gentry's houses within four miles, and with the exception of some new roads, no change of any importance had taken place in the district for at least a century. The inhabitants were in some ways behind the times; they lived almost entirely on the produce of their own land, and troubled little about the outside world, which troubled even less about them."

The area did, however, attract the hunting fraternity, which by the early 1 800's had established the Surrey Hunt with kennels at Godstone. The Burstow Hunt, originally a harrier pack, had since 1866 been hunting the country south of the Tonbridge/Redhill railway line. This interest brought to the attention of many of the newly-emerging country squirearchy the pleasures of this part of rural Surrey. The Kelsey family had been lords of Burstow Manor since 1807 and, in 1868, sold Burstow Park to Alfred Howard Lloyd (1845-1919). By the mid-1 870's Harewoods House was in possession of the Lloyd family, with whom it remained until the entire estate was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1956. Both these families were leaders in the Burstow Hunt, which in 1870 formed its own cricket team with fixtures against Surrey Staghounds, Surrey Foxhounds and Reigate Priory. Home matches were played opposite The Plough at Smallfield. Cricket at this period was expanding rapidly throughout the country as whole. locally, in addition to Reigate Priory, there were teams at Horley, Nutfield, Bletchingiey and Redhill to mention but a few.

It is not know exactly how Outwood Cricket Club was started, but the connection with the Burstow Hunt Cricket Club is very strong. Several members of the hunt Eleven in the 1 870's were playing, or associated with the Outwood Club in its early years, and the influence of Mr A. H. Lloyd in Hunt and other local matters at the time cannot be denied. The year 1887 was the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria and the celebration of the era may have been more nationalistic than these of the following century for our present Queen's Diamond Jubilee, but the festivities at local level were certainly colourful. A contemporary report states that at Outwood the village programme included "a March to church with the band playing to Thanksgiving Service at 1.30. Dinner was provided at 2.1), followed by sports on the common, cricket etc." Tea and supper was at 7pm with fireworks and a bonfire to complete the day.

Two days after these official celebrations we do have our first authenticated evidence, from an old minute book of Newchapel Cricket Club (formed 1886), that on June 28, 1887 " a match was played against the Outwood Cricket Club resulting in a win for Newchapel." The Surrey Mirror dated July 30, 1887, gives the full scores and teams of our return match against Newchapel, at Outwood on July 23, 1887, when we were the winners. And later that year, the local newspaper mentions the full title of Outwood Cricket Club in a match report for the first time. It is interesting to note that in these early years, in addition to a 'Men's Eleven,' we also turned out an 'Outwood Junior or Boys' Eleven' which would play similar teams in the vicinity. Several names in these boys' teams were to appear later in the senior eleven.

Evidence is fairly sparse during these formative years but we do have match reports that comment about the wicket. In 1889, when Godstone played at Outwood, the local newspaper reported: It is only right to mention that the turf was not in good form, its peculiar condition being through only having been re-laid last autumn, which caused the ball to be very uncertain." The low scores in these kind of matches would tend to confirm this view, plus the fact that the degree of cricketing skill by many players would have been, by modern standards, quite rustic. Our early opponents included Redhill, Godstone, Nutfield, Lingfield, Horley and Newchapel, as well as matches against the Junior Boys' teams of these clubs.

Culinary delights have always been much appreciated by Outwood members and friends. This tradition can be traced back to the late 1880's when, against Godstone at Outwood, "a capital cold lunch was served in a tent on the ground by Mr Fairman of Horne."

The early matches were played in a field near the Church, and it is not known exactly when cricket was first played on our present ground, but it would have been some time during the early 1890's, when Mr Alfred Lloyd closed the old brickyards and brick fields, which were situated behind the present pavilion, and arranged for the site to be cleared. The pavilion was built during the years 1896-97 at a cost of £198 and sevenpence, and it remains today as a striking feature of our delightful and much-admired ground. During these years, following a misunderstanding about how far towards Millers lane the ground should be cleared, three horse-chestnut trees were planted at Mr Lloyd's command to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1897). A small tree, self seeded from one of these chestnuts, is to be re-planted on Outwood Common as part of our Centenary Celebrations. Gamesmanship was also present in these developing years of the Club. In 1896 when playing Merstham, we were set a target of 122 to win. With our score at 25 for seven, the newspaper match report reads: "Owing to some misunderstanding, the Outwood captain considered the game to end at six o'clock instead of six-thirty and refused to continue batting, which action, especially as they had kept their visiting opponents waiting nearly one hour before starting, appears decidedly wanting in sportsmanlike feeling. Merstham were thus prevented from winning outright and only gained a moral victory."

As early as 1888, there was a case of an Outwood player being given out -handled the ball", something which even in today's competitive sporting climate is still considered as being outside the spirit of the game at village level. Again, in 1890 in our match at Redhill, there is the report of a decision given against a Redhill player: "Tom Cooke is especially worthy of mention, taking 6 for 12, and making top score. He really was not out in the second innings (stumped), but was given out by the Outwood umpire, much to the displeasure of the members of that team." (The Club's current Press Officer is perhaps less forthright in his comments regarding umpiring decisions!)

Outstanding players during the first 25 years of the Club included E. 1. Scott, who had nearly five innings and was known as the "Outwood Champion." He often opened the batting with another leading cricketer, Albert Arthur Stacey. There was also Walter Herbert Scott, who was secretary for more than 30 years before finally retiring from office in 1919. Even in retirement he continued to walk to the ground and watch the games involving the club he did so much to establish. W.H. Scott, who was also organist at Outwood Church for 50 years, died in 1963 at the age of 95.

Emery Wright, the village blacksmith - an occupation often associated with fictional village cricket teams - was the Club's first known captain. He became the first 'paid' groundsman for the Club in 1906 at a fee of £5, "for the ground to be kept generally in order, mown, wickets prepared and marked during the full season."

One of the lesser-known players during this period was the Rev Charles John Melville Godfrey who although with us for only two seasons, can claim to be our first member to have played first-class cricket. He had first played whilst at Oxford in the 1880's against the Australians, although he did not obtain a Blue. He played a few games for Sussex, with two games against a Gloucestershire team which included W.G. Grace. Godfrey also played in a memorable match against Lancashire at Brighton in 1890. Having bowled the two Lancashire openers, he then witnessed the arrival of a 19-year-old Harrovian making his debut. This was Archibald Campbell Mclaren, who according to Wisden "hit 108 in two hours ten minutes without a chance." This was the same Mclaren who later played in 35 Tests and captained England on 22 occasions. The shots that were fired in Sarajevo on June 28, were to have much greater effect on the world than anyone then realised. Outwood cricket, like everything else in England, continued through July of that summer as though nothing extraordinary had happened. On Monday, August 3, 1914 - Bank Holiday Monday - Outwood won the all-day match against Sydenham Tradesmen, with Edward Scott making a century. It was, however, the end of an era. The following day the country was at war and all remaining matches for the season were cancelled.

Although the soldiers went to France thinking they would "be home for Christmas" it was to be four long, terrible years before the world would be finished with its bloodletting.

Between The Wars ……… 1918 - 1939

WORLD WAR ONE ended in November 1918 and the following April in the Church Room, Outwood, a meeting was held to re-start the Club. Mr Alfred Lloyd had died in March 1919 and it was "unanimously decided to invite his son MrTheodore Lloyd to succeed his respected father in the Presidency." The ground had lain dormant during the war years, but the enthusiasm to re-start cricket was so strong that the clearing work was carried out by the beginning of the season.

A contemporary newspaper report stated "that almost all of the old playing members had left the neighbourhood, some having given their lives in the war, but it is hoped that even at the risk of losing every match, a team will be gathered together to play the game for its own sake, and to make use of the charming ground on the Common." This spirit is still held by the Club in the modern era, although like all institutions, change must come, and perhaps the wish to win - not at all costs - is now a more accepted part of present-day life. The first season contained many heavy defeats and not many victories, but slowly the results improved.

One of the most colourful characters of these immediate post-war years was Major J. R. E. Cunliffe, who was Club Captain from 1921-1923. 'Johnnie' Walker, writing in his brief history of the Club in 1966, stated that "The Major, who lived at Christmas Farm in Picketts lane, would arrive at the ground on horseback. He would lead his team on to the field immaculately dressed and complete with white kid gloves and a monocle. When batting, he was only interested in scoring fours and sixes and, on one occasion, when an enterprising team-mate called him for a short run and got himself run out as a result, the Major turned to the unfortunate and somewhat irate victim and apologised saying, "Sorry, old boy - I dropped my monocle."

It has been thought that the Major was used by A.G. McDonell (1895-1941 ), author of "England, Their England", as the character Major Hawker, in the classical chapter 'The Cricket Match'. McDonell and the Major had played on opposite sides at Outwood in 1922, when we opposed J.C. Squires' Invalids XL McOonell, partnered by Arnold Bax (later Sir Arnold Bax, composer and Master of the Queen's Musick) was reported as having given "a good display of batting" to ensure a victory for J. C. Squires' eleven. Also playing in this match was Ralph Richardson, the actor - later to become Sir Ralph.

The Outwood ground gained some national cricketing comment also in 1922 when Redhill Wednesday Xl, playing against Major Cunliffe's Xl, added 201 runs for the last wicket. C. S. Wells, a tremendous hitter from Redhill, made 173 not out, his chief hits being 33 fours. "Several times he hit the ball out of the ground, but four was the maximum number of runs for any single hit."

Owing to the reduced number of players available, the Club played only on Saturdays and Bank Holidays, whereas in the years before the First World War two elevens were put out. Fixtures during this period were more local. In addition to the traditional fixtures established in the formative years of the Club, teams like Blindley Heath, Burstow and District, South Godstone, Smallfield, Salfords, Redhill Football Club and Nolder and Collyers (a brewery team) were regular opponents.

In 1926 an Outwood ladies Cricket Club was formed and played matches against similar teams from around the area. It proved to be quite successful, but an attempt to revive it after the Second World War (19391945) proved unsuccessful.

Players who established themselves in the 1 920's and 1930's included T Roberts, H. Reynolds, W. Maynard, A. Constable, George Hollingsbee (Captain 1929-1931 and again in 1934 and 1938), Charlie Rice and his two sons Joe and John. There were also Charlie Martin, who always bowled in a dark flat cloth cap and who was for many years the team's stock slow off-break bowler: Fred Streeter, a long-serving member who always wore a sweater; and Alf Young, renowned for his immaculate flannels.

By the 1930's, names which are happily still with us begin to appear in the scorebooks - among them David Clutterbuck, who captained the Club for 14 years (1955-1968) and was President from 1969-1973. David, who is a great lover of traditional village cricket, caused many small fortunes to be gambled away when bets were struck between diners at the Club Suppers as to the length of his speech! He did, however, have one very fine phrase which he often quoted concerning sportsmanship. It is as true today as when it was first written: "For when the one Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not what you won or lost but how you played the game."

George Constable was another long-serving member who was a joint vice-captain for many seasons in the 1950's and 1960's and later Club Captain. He was later an excellent groundsman for the Club until ill-health caused him to retire from this position. To the romantic dreamer visualizing village cricket, the period between the wars is perhaps the idyllic setting. Life seemed to go on undisturbed and the social order remained unchanged. Perhaps the most time was in August 1935 when the local newspaper reported: "At Outwood on Saturday, as an interlude to the cricket, spectators saw the players take stumps to drive away a swarm of flying ants, which invaded the pitch and bit the cricketers. Despite this, the game resulted in a victory for the home side." Perhaps the writer had foreseen the events of five summers later, when other flying objects were being driven away and the nation armed itself with anything in readiness to repel the invader.

It took the country a further six years of war before " victory came for the home side".

With the ending of the War in August 1945, the Club had to restart the following spring. The ground and pavilion were generally in poor condition - no army in history has ever left any place as they found it! A general meeting was held in the pavilion on April 26, 1946, and a new committee elected.

The Club balance sheet showed funds of £8 18s 2½d (£8.91). Subscriptions, which pre-War had been six shillings (30p), were increased by four shillings (20p) to ten shillings (50p) for a playing member. It was also agreed that a subscription list be started among vice-presidents and other "persons interested in the Club" to raise urgently needed funds.

Another important decision taken at this meeting was that, in addition to matches on Saturdays and Bank Holidays, cricket was to be played on Sunday. A full season of matches was arranged and results generally were encouraging.

At the first Club Supper held since before the War in October, 1946, the Club President (Mr. T.H. Lloyd) remarked that "cricket was very popular at Outwood among all sorts of people" and thanked "the captain and team for all the pleasure they had given them." Other speakers at this event picked out certain personalities who had helped to make the Club so popular- Arthur Harman (secretary 1933-1948 and groundsman 1935-1950) "with whitewash, brush and broom, and always ready to fill in any gap"; Douglas Ashpool (the captain) " with his perpetual smile and his flair for dropping catches (laughter)"; Tom King "with his son's school cap on"; Fred Streeter "with his sweater always on - he was the one they liked to see at the wicket."

Reference was also made to our supporters. "And it would not be a Club if we did not see our President there every Saturday and Mr. Dean, Mr. Scott, Mr. Young, Captain Clutterbuck (Captain B.A. Clutterbuck) and Mr. Fred Lewis - all generous in their praise and severe in their criticism - there every Saturday and Sunday looking on." Forty years later, such comments about the present generation of Club members could equally apply.

After six years without any cricket, the Club needed new players and two of these perhaps deserve special mention for playing ability. They are Joe Greenhalgh, a fine opening bat and wicketkeeper of some distinction who played until the late 1960's, and a young 'teenager Patrick Reilly, who appeared on the scene in 1947 as a quick bowler and immediately made his mark. Two years later, he became the first player to take 100 wickets in a season for the Club, and in 1955 - before moving to a higher level of cricket at Horley - actually took 199 wickets (some say 200) in all matches for the Club.

Information about matches in these post-War years is fairly scant, due to a severe restriction on newsprint, but such amusing and forthright comments culled from local press reports still give some flavour of the spirit of Outwood cricket during this period.

For example, in 1949, "the opposition kept fielding in the rain and waived the tea interval to allow Outwood to win." And this gem from two years later: "Outwood fielded very badly, dropping almost every catch offered." Also in 1951, we read that "during some carefree cricket, much amusement was caused by a slow handclap and a sit-down strike at one period."

In one unfortunate incident, a fielder broke both wrists during a fall, which no doubt could have caused problems had it occurred in another match where "the fall of each wicket, the bowler was rewarded with a bottle of beer."

The Outwood awayday matches popular among today's players had an excellent forerunner in 1955 when we travelled to Ferring for our first meeting there. We read: "The day was packed full of incident, from when a wheel came adrift from one of the cars making the outward journey until towards the end of the match when one of the umpires, who had made some surprising decisions, disclosed the fact that unfortunately he was unable to see more than twenty yards."

This cavalier spirit of Outwood's cricketers reflected the outlook of a man who was to have a very great influence on the way the Club developed over the next 25 years. He was Douglas Ashpool. As captain in the immediate post-War years - except when dogged by ill-health - and later as Club secretary (1956-1962) and finally as Club President (1963-1968), Douglas showed the ability to draw the best out of people. The hospitality of Douglas and his wife Gladys was much enjoyed by many over the years and set a standard which is still maintained in the present day.

In the early 1950's, he had established his own touring party, which included several well-known cricketers, and by his influence and personality he was able to bring an all-star cricket eleven to Outwood for an annual match in the years 1955-1960.

These stars, many of Whom would stay over the weekend in members' houses, included numerous Test cricketers from England and Australia. Peter May,Tony Lock, Peter loader, Alec Bedser, George Tribe, Colin McCool, Mickey Stewart, Jim Laker and Ken Barrington were among those who appeared in these matches and gave the Club members the opportunity of playing against somewhat sterner opposition than usual. As Johnnie Waller wrote in his 1966 History of The Club: "The big matches and the weekends during which they took place will long be remembered by those who had the honour of participating in the activities."

With these changes, it was inevitable that much administrative as well as manual work was undertaken.

The Club then, as now, were fortunate in having a reliable body of helpers to carry out work. Bill Rand. who had played before the War and who was Club secretary for three years in the mid-1950's, was an ideal "club man." Len Thompson, Bob Dean, George Constable, Paul Judge, Alf Shapland and Alf Young were but a few whose names appear on various subcommittees. By the 1960's names such as John Christie, Jack Wilcocks, Johnnie Waller, Len Streeter, Freddie Forbes, the late Douglas Whitwell, Bob Towers and Dennis Steel could be added, and there were many others.

One other person who became very much part of the Club during these years was David Clutterbuck, now one of our revered Past Presidents (1969-1972). David's association with the Club goes back to the 1930's (as a player) and possibly earlier. He was Club captain from 1955-1968 and was, in many people's opinions, an ideal village cricket club captain. His speeches at Club Suppers caused much amusement and many small fortunes were lost by diners trying to bet on the amount of time he would take to reply on behalf of the Club. He was a constant organiser and inspiration on working parties and he likes to make claim that even he is not the longest-serving Club captain (14 years). He once took an England bowler off when the player concerned (playing for Outwood against Whiteoaks) was being hit around the ground rather too frequently!

Some improvements to the pavilion and ground facilities took place in the early 1950's. Mains water (first connnected to the pavilion in 1938) was extended to the playing area and towards the end of the decade Calor Gas, originally only in the kitchen area, was extended to provide lighting in the main pavilion. The other 'facilities' so essential to the atmosphere in any clubhouses where people socialise were, to say the least, somewhat primitive and although Douglas Ashpool was constantly suggesting that "the ablutions" especially for the ladies should be improved, it was not until 1978 that these modern appendages were installed.

One other area of the Club's activities during the Ashpool era is also worthy of mention. The annual Club Supper (which can be traced back to 1900 - and probably earlier) became quite justifiably one of the most enjoyable and much-coveted cricketing social events in the area during this period. It has so remained until the present day and, hopefully, will continue to bring together in cricketing fellowship many players. both past and present, to re-live happy memories.

The list of guest speakers at these event reads like a Who's Who of Cricket. Errol Holmes, Stuart Surridge, Peter May, Jim Laker, Berry Knight, Maurice Tremiett, George Emmett and Mickey Stewart were just a few of the speakers during the 1950's and 1960's and this tradition has been maintained in recent years by such names as Basil WOliveira, John Edrich, Tony Greig, Colin Milburn, Godfrey Evans and Fred Trueman.

The Club is indeed fortunate to have had over the years ladies who have given freely of their time in order to ensure the very high standard of catering that we provide - not only on special occasions, but on regular match days. Many visiting teams over the years have remembered with pleasure not only the cricket at Outwood but also the teas.

Mr. Theodore Lloyd died in March 1959 and no successor was elected until the following year when his widow took over, a position which she held until her own death in February 1963. Thus the family connection with the Club, dating back to its formation in the 1880's, came to an end, and Douglas Ashpool became the Club's fourth President.

During the 1950's and 1960's many players, several of whom are still associated with the Club, established themselves as regular playing members. Some had played good club cricket in their younger days - such as Dennis Steel, Bob Towers, John Christie and the late Cyril Suter, who at school was a contemporary of E.W. Swanton and later developed into a fine Rugby full-back. Indeed, he unfortunately had to turn down an international overseas Rugby tour invitation because of business commitments. With such players as these-and Basil Stanley - the Club had a nucleus of experienced players.

Younger players who began to emerge at this time included Roger Allery, Douglas Treacher and the two Whitwell brothers John and Michael, all of whom gave valuable support to the administrative side of the Club.

One of the most remarkable matches of the Club's entire history took place in 1966, when Kevin Norris took six wickets with six successive deliveries as we (or he!) dismissed Turners Hill for six runs. Kevin, who played from 1956 until 1974, took 1200 wickets for the Club during this period. His fellow-bowler on this memorable occasion was John Bance, another brilliant Outwood performer during the 1960's. Although he played for a comparatively short period, he was a most aggressive attacking batsman as well as being a bowler of some pace.

In 1968 Douglas Ashpool gave up the Presidency and at a most memorable Club Supper in the Lloyd Hall that autumn, many tributes were paid to a man who for years was known to members and friends as "Mr Cricket." The Club lost a much respected member when he died on November 21, 1971.

Into The Eighties and Beyond

In 1972, the Club entered for the new National Village Cricket Championship which was originally sponsored by Haig and organised - as it still is today - by The Cricketer magazine. This was a radical change in the Club's attitude towards competitive cricket. However, although we did not make any great impact in the early years, the competition has proved to be popular with the players and spectators alike. Two memorable runs in the competition (1977 and 1979) when we reached the last 16 teams in the country, brought unprecedented support for the Club. The match against Longparish in 1979, which was decided on the last ball of the match - in Outwood's favour by two runs - will be remembered by everyone present. Such nail-biting finishes are the attraction of this most popular of competitions, now sponsored by Norsk Hydro.

About this time there were the beginnings of other changes in the Club which reflected the different attitudes of a new generation of players who had grown up in a more competitive world. Cricket as portrayed in A.G. McDonell's 'England, Their England' was and still is among the romantics of the game - the idyllic village cricket setting. Yet there were signs that this no longer applied entirely to a rural community such as Outwood. The village is 30 miles from London, eight miles from an international airport and only six miles from the national motorway system. Thus, the level of cricket played and the facilities demanded by modern players who live in this environment inevitably brought changes.

Several members deserve mention for seeing these projects through: Douglas Treacher, a volatile 'appealer' on the field of play, but a tireless worker behind the scenes; Jim Moore, quiet both on and off the field, who carried out an in-depth survey of the pavilion; and Charlie Smith, who as the local builder finished up by doing the 'hard part' with his team of helpers. One of these who should be mentioned is Tony Constable, son of George and a wicket-keeper-batsman who could have made his mark in the highest grades of club cricket. Charlie Smith's reward is to have the bar named after him - and not many builders can lay claim to that!

With the influx of a new generation of players in the early to mid-seventies, the natural progression was to a Cricket Week in 1975. The first year set a very high standard of cricket and socialising and, over the years, some very enjoyable cricket has been played. One memorable Cricket Week match - and there have been many - took place in 1985 when, in an all-day game, Brian Richardson's XI set Outwood a target of 287 to win in 180 minutes and saw victory snatched by the Club from the first ball of the final over! Seldom has the Club motto, "Audentis Fortuna Juvat", been more appropriate.

Over the years some famous sporting personalities have appeared in these matches, including international soccer players Bob Wilson, Jimmy Greaves and Malcolm Macdonald; England Rugby Union international Chris Ralston and, among scores of cricketing personalities, such famous Test names as Peter Partitt, John Murray, Dick Richardson, John Snow, Fred Titmus, John Edrich and his late cousin Bill Edrich. And let us not forget such revered figures as Reg Hayter, Alan Perkins, John Denman and Claude Duval.

In 1975 an administrative change was made by the creation of the post of Club Chairman in order to co-ordinate the workings of our various group activities. The first holder was the previous secretary, Harry Lucas, an Outwoodian by birth and an organiser of some stature. Harry and his wife Eileen were both very popular and hardworking people for the Club. Harry, always anxious to point out that we are a 'village club', was deeply involved in the Club's activities over the next three years, before moving to Dorset for health reasons in 1978.

During his period in office, Harry was involved in securing a lease for the Club from the National Trust, the provision of a liquor licence and the re-drafting of the rules of the Club. The strength of Outwood Cricket Club is perhaps reflected in that, eight years after moving away, Harry and Eileen can still find time when visiting this part of England to drop in - usually during 'permitted hours!' - and meet old friends. They are also to be seen supporting our touring team when we are playing within travelling distance of their Dorset home.

Another innovation is the Club tour, first run in 1980. Most of the 'goings-on' on cricket tours are best not recorded, but thanks to the unofficial tour photographer Tony Hemming, highlights of these escapades are now on film. Viewing is by appointment only!

Unexpected talents discovered on tour range from the Outwood C.C. Male Voice Choir singing 'Abide With Me' on a roundabout on the A30 at Stockbridge while a 'dead' (stuffed) parrot was being buried, to the sudden climbing exploits of a well-known meteorologist who became a Chris Bonnington-type mountaineer in Martock! The 'madhatters' dinner on the last night of the tour usually brings forth some previously hidden acting talent which, although not likely to reach your TV screens, does provide amusement for the players and amazement in the watching locals!

Most of the former players still associated with the Club agree that, during the last fifteen years, the overall standard of cricket played by Outwood has been of a far higher standard than ever before. While in the past there were individuals (two or three players in any one team) who would stand out, today there is a greater depth of cricketing ability in the side as a whole. This is borne out by the statistics, which as everybody knows can be used to support any argument, but in this case it is true.

The improved performances reflect much credit on the present groundsman, Jeremy Senneck, a tireless worker and all-round player who has performed with much distinction for the Club over the past ten years.

But if one had to single out a player during this period, that man is Roger Vicars. A fine cricketer, modest and self-effacing, he has scored many runs in a manner which has long been a joy to watch by players and spectators alike and he has also taken many vital wickets. Indeed, one hundred years hence, some local bard may write (with apologies to Francis Thompson):

"For the field is full of shades . . .

Other players who have made major contributions both on and off the field during this period were Adrian Christie, son of the Past President John Christie and who started to play for the Club in 1963. later he bowled with distinction for Purley and Three Bridges before returning to Outwood in 1986.

The red hair of Peter Marchant was an awesome sight for opposing batsmen during the 1970's as he thundered in to bowl. He was a large man, but his features belied a gentle nature. His daughter Anne was scorer for several seasons.

Charles Howe was a batsman in the classic style and a most popular captain; his fellow school contemporary Peter Spragg took more than 300 wickets with off-spin between the years 1964 and 1980, and perhaps was a somewhat underrated bowler. Rodney Smith, son of Charlie Smith, was another regular player who was always involved in working parties and construction matters, as was Alan Good, whose son Alan learned the basics of cricket at Outwood and later returned in the 1980's to score a good fifty for our old rivals Withyham.

Roy Meller can be described as the "senior professional" among current players, having first played for the Club in 1961, a year before his youngest son Craig (also a current player) was born. Roy has been a consistent run-scorer over the years, but his period of continuous service was broken in the early 1970's. He can, and does, claim one record - the Club's fastest runner over the distance of 26.2 miles, having broken three hours in the London Marathon of 1982. So far only one challenger has come forward - and he may be read about elsewhere in this publication.

One player who has made a dynamic impact on the Club in recent years is the incredible Peter Kane. A short, powerfully-built man who also played Rugby until quite recently, he arrived on the Outwood scene in a classical village cricket moment. Owing to some misunderstanding, two visiting teams arrived one Saturday to play Outwood. Peter's team stood down, but Peter, who then lived in Smallfield, stayed to watch. Outwood were one player short (the missing person, let it be whispered, was our present President!) when our captain approached his opposite number with a request that the lonely spectator, who had cricket kit with him, should be invited to play. The visiting skipper agreed -with disastrous results! Peter, batting number six, came in with the Outwood score at 85-4 and proceeded to hit 118 runs (including 12 sixes) in just 55 minutes.

Peter has gone on in this Jessopian manner ever since and holds the Club's highest individual innings record. On four occasions, he has scored more than 150 runs in an afternoon, once hitting no fewer than 18 sixes in an innings. Against Sissinghurst at Outwood in 1984, he struck one unfortunate bowler for six sixes in one over. He is also a wicketkeeper of some distinction; unfortunately, he thinks that some umpires' reactions are too slow for his stumpings! [See picture on Page 34).

Two established players, who first began with the Club as schoolboys in the mid-1960's, are John Surridge and Peter Murray. John, a stylish opening batsman, took some time to develop but, over the past ten years, he has contributed many fine performances for the Club in important matches. His assistance with playing kit has also been much appreciated by the Club over the years. Peter Murray, captain from 1982 to 1984 and currently Club Chairman, grew up in the village and has had to contend with many distractions from the members of the opposite sex while developing his cricketing skills. Fortunately, he appears to have overcome these diversions and is now a fine, freescoring, attacking batsman and a useful swing bowler.

David Saunders has also given excellent service over the past years. On two occasions he has taken nine wickets in an innings and has made several useful contributions with the bat. Peter Brander is another senior player who believes that a cricket bail is meant to be hit hard, as does the massive left-hander Peter Bignell. Alas, he sometimes manages to get his feet into the wrong place with disastrous results!

A young local-born cricketer who is carrving the torch into the next hundred years of Club history is Stephen Case-Green. His enthusiasm for the game is most gratifying to see, and he is a credit to the Club in putting himself forward whenever there is work to be done.

Keith Barham, our indefatigable scorer, performs marvels with our scorebook, which allows the Hon Club Archivist and Statistician to indulge his whims and fancies. Keith is our current Fixture Secretary, a position which he has gone on record as saying he "will not give up without a fight." He could be holding the position for some time to come!

The final pen portrait of some of the current personalities concerns the present skipper Malcolm Mcleod. Unfortunately, much of the information stored about him is on file currently being held under the 30-year rule, but we do know that he previously played for, and skippered, Reigate Priory in the latter part of the sixties and early seventies. His extrovert and somewhat unconventional behaviour has suggested to many people that he should play for The Stage Xl. His exploits in the field of 'international cricket' are recorded modestly elsewhere in this publication, but one of his best performances was his impromptu acting at Glastonbury in 1986. He has twice been nominated for an Oscar but in case he is unsuccessful in this field, he has his eyes also on No. 10 Downing Street! His cry of "Have a drink, Lasty" is one appeal that is always upheld in the bar.

No record of the personalities of Outwood Cricket Club would be complete without mentioning the name of Hubert Gotts. Hubert is one of nature's gentlemen. His association with us goes back to the 1950's, when he was introduced to the Club by Douglas Ashpool. He served as Secretary from 1969 to 1971 and was Club President from 1975 to 1977. Hubert gave much wise counsel both within the confines of the Committee and on general Club affairs. He donated The Hubert Gotts Cup, to be awarded annually to the person who has done most for the Club (on and off the field).

Several of the Presidents of the post-Ashpool years have been playing members. Freddie Forbes was also a Club Secretary and an excellent M.C. at Club Suppers until recently. His son Andrew was a playing member in the early 1960's.

John Christie (1978-1981) was an attacking batsman and a more than useful bowler. He was succeeded by Dennis Oliver (1982-1984), whose well-known love of peanuts belies his capacity for excellent hospitality and culinary delights; indeed, on many occasions the Club has enjoyed this combination which adds so much to cricketing get-togethers. Dennis has been on the Outwood 'panel' of umpires in recent years and he is also the Club Treasurer.

The present incumbent is Frank Nicklin, a left-arm round 'quickie' from Derbyshire (That's going back a bit! - ED). He has served the Club well over many years and has the happy knack of acquiring star speakers for our Club Suppers with a degree of regularity that surprises many. Frank has also been instrumental in ensuring that, for the first time since before World War One, the Club now has the playing strength to put out two teams. This move has seen a new influx of playing members joining Outwood and who, hopefully, will carry on the traditions of the Club into the Twenty-First Century.

THIS SUMMARY of some of the events and personalities of the Club during the past one hundred years is not meant to be a new club history, nor an update on the previous book written by L. C. (Johnnie) Waller in 1966. Hopefully, it will kindle a resolve in the current membership to look back with pride at what has been achieved so far.