A Review of the 1979 Season
The 1979 was a disappointing season with the 1st XI finishing bottom of the Essex League with only one win and seven draws to show from their campaign. The scorebook is missing but left arm spinner David Layton had some success with two six wicket hauls against Ilford and Buckhurst Hill. Peter Joslin hit a splendid 97 in the all-day game at Ilford on August Bank Holiday.
The 2nd XI under Buddy Jessop finished mid-table in 11th. Ray Folliss hit 644 runs for the 2s including two incredible innings of 146 v Kenton one week and 156 v Bexleyheath the next . Ray remains the only Chingford player to this day to have had a Ryde (Isle of Wight) dialling code in his phone number !
3rd eleven League cricket began in 1979 and under Ted Alston, Chingford equalled their best ever showing of third. The skipper helped himself to an incredible 9-35 from 19 overs in the game against Wanstead at the Stratford Wesleyan ground. In between the League games, Jeff Runciman smashed a century in a friendly against Old Clarkonians at the LT Ground.
In the Extra 3rds a promising youngster called David Wilson captured 18 wickets at 6.06 apiece before inevitable promotion to the seconds, while skipper John Briggs led the way with the bat with 290 runs.
David Rafis led the Sunday As with big runs from Ray Folliss with 577 taking his total to over 1000 for the season. Mike Higgs hit 508 runs while top wicket taker was Terry Dennehy with 23.
The Bs relied on Paul Pritchard as the mainstay of their batting with 464 runs, whilst innings of the year was John Raby’s ton v Enfield in the scores level draw. Ted Alston again took the bowling honours with 47 wickets.
Chingford for the first time went on tour to the North West to set a precedent for years to come. The tourists returned home undefeated with four wins and a draw to their credit with the best performances being a Mike Higgs 5-100 v Oxton.