A Review of the 1980 Season
The highlight of the season was a tour match versus East Lancashire at Blackburn in July. An incredible game saw Chingford beat 10 East Lancs players but lose to Australian Test star Kerry O’Keefe as he followed a performance with the ball of 5-32 from 20.2 overs with 124 not out with the bat. Nitin Patel performed so impressively in scoring 50 in this match that both the opposition and spectators thought he was the Club’s Pro !
The 1st XI in John Barr’s last year of Captaincy had a difficult time and finished 14th with just two wins in the League and the first not coming until 9th August against Loughton. One bright spot came in the way of a century from Richard Alston in the all-day game at Ilford.
The 2nds did a little better finishing 8th under Buddy Jessop with the Skipper leading the way with some typically mean spells of bowling, including and amazing 4-18 from 23.5 overs against Buckhurst Hill. On the batting front David Rafis hit an impressive 469 runs.
The Extra 3rds saw some great spells of bowling from paceman Keith Eglinton who picked up 21 wickets in just 5 games. Peter Norgate led the way with the bat with 256 runs.
The Sunday A season remains a bit of a mystery with the scorebook missing, we know that County Bowler Hooper did the all ten against us in the away match at Blackheath – the only time this is known to have happened. A famous win was recorded at Enfield, with the home side line-up containing one Geoff Sandrock, but Chingford emerged jubilant victors by 3 wickets
Ted Alston had an amazing season in the Bs capturing 64 wickets at 11.75 apiece and Paul Pritchard amassed 338 runs.
Increasing playing membership saw a regular Sunday C team fielded and Michael Blake took full advantage, picking up 62 wickets for his side.
Malcolm Taitt hit a superb 120 not out for the Thursday Eleven in their match with Walthamstow Police.
The season ended with a Special match between Chingford 1st and Chingford 2nd XIs to mark Club President’s Bunny Swinfen’s retirement from cricket (at the grand age of 70!). Bunny received a guard of honour as he walked off the pitch for the final time.
On 2 November 1980 a new chapter of the Club’s history was initiated with the opening of the Indoor Cricket School by the Mayor , Councillor KA Saunders. The occasion was marked by the delivery of the first ball in the new School by Essex and England fast bowler, John Lever. The school as built comprises two nets and the design and construction would have been impossible without the dedication and sheer hard work of George Hobbs who spent many hours supervising and helping in its construction. A notice on the entrance to the school bears tribute to those who responded so magnificently to the appeal, which raised the necessary capital.
The lifelong dream of the late Ted Lord became reality when the undermentioned so generously donated financial and material aid to make it all so possible to found the Chingford Indoor Cricket School
Greater London Sports Council J.M.Welch
Waltham Forest Sports Council Trumans Ltd
Thorn Lighting Ltd F.Page
Patrons and Members of Chingford Cricket Club