Season 1994
All three teams finished in mid –table in a season which saw record levels of postponements due to the weather. This was also the first year of promotion and relegation with 2up/down in two twenty team Leagues across all elevens.
The season began on a somewhat sour note with the sad news that we had lost use of the much heralded Old Chigwellians for our 3rd XI home games. We were initially somewhat cheekily approached by another Club (they know who they are) to ask whether we would be interested in a ground share with them – as we already had exclusive use of the facilities the answer was a prompt no! The next thing we knew was that without any further communication we were advised that we had been unceremonially gazumped and were homeless, an issue which left a somewhat bitter taste in the mouth . This was the catalyst for a downward trend in 3rd XI results for many, many years. Fortunately The Metropolitan Police Club came to our rescue at short notice and we secured use of the then Pitch Number 1 just across the road from the Old Chigs to enable us to fulfil our fixtures.
The season began in unusual circumstances with the first weekend rained off and with Forest Side under water the 2nd XI home match with Hornsey the second week was switched to the Met Police (testimony to the wicket in those days). Carey Harborne enjoyed the moist conditions , bagging a 7fer to kick start his season.
Overall the first eleven finished 10th in the League under new captain Jamie Hill, with Richard Alston (691) and Graham Hainsby (577) as usual the main run getters, while the leading wicket takers were James Runciman (24) and Fraser Lawrence (23) This was a disappointing finish considering that on 23rd July Chingford were 3rd in the table. The game at Brentwood on August 7, saw two tremendous all-round performances in a 13 run win, with Richard Alston hitting 104 before Truptesh Patel bagged 7-42 from just 10 overs. Alston also smashed a century in the all-day game at home to Watford Town.
The second XI figured similarly under Andy Norgate with 4 wins ensuring a 12th place finish.
The third eleven under Derek Lacey fared similarly with 4 wins and an 11th place finish.
Michael Blake’s production line of youngsters gracing the Sunday Bs had now rolled off Nick Carpenter , a promising opening batsman and James Woolley a left arm spinner.