A Review of the 1961 Season
In 1961 100 guineas were left to the Club in the will of John Makins in appreciation of the happy times he spent watching cricket as it should be played and this gift was used to fund the building of a new scorebox.
There were problems with the Council regarding brewer’s lorries entering the ground via the Kimberley Way entrance –initially the Council insisted that access was only allowed for cars!
Before the season started a new lease had been agreed at £260 per annum, with the Club now becoming solely responsible for the buildings, with the Council’s only involvement to maintain fences.
From what we can find out, the 1st eleven had a mixed bag of results (W9 D7 L6) but Ted Sandrock emerged as a leading batsman and scored 1000 runs, as did the young Graham Saville, who was now on the Essex County staff.
Ted scored 109 v Chemsford and 100 v Walthamstow, 96* v Alexandra Park, 89 v Chinghoppers, 86 v Edmonton, 70 v Old Bancroftians and 70 v The Mayor’s XI while Graham made 107 v Chinghoppers, 96* v Alexandra Park, 75 v Wanstead, 73 v Old Minchendenians and 72 v City of London College
Ken Dowding had a number of top innings including 100 and 108* v Highgate, 82 v Southgate and 71 twice v Edmonton
Robin Hobbs was selected for Essex on several occasions. and took 6-41 against The Mote and 5-53 v North Middlesex – he also took 5-1 for Essex 2nd XI against Middlesex 2nd XI ! Whilst playing for Essex v Surrey at The Oval he skipped the rest day to come back and play for the Sunday As v Old Libertians, scoring 36no in the victory.
Ron Lynch took a miserly 6-22 from his 23 overs in the draw against Buckhurst Hill and 5-22 v Loughton.
Peter Brown (6-12 in 16 overs) and Robin Hobbs (4-21) both bowled superbly as the Sunday As bowled out Southgate for just 38.
Bryan Hart showed signs of things to come with 7-63 in the Bank Holiday 2nd XI match with Old Minchendenians.
In the 3rds Roger Gardner scored 116 v Ilford and 108 v Loughton, whilst a youthful Geoff Sandrock showed signs of a promising future with 51* and 5-30 in the Extra 3rds v Broxbourne, and followed it up with 5-9 in the 3rds the following week at Southgate, and 6-48 v Edmonton in September for the Sunday Bs.
Bunny Swinfen, Hon General Secretary reported:
The untiring Ken Russ (Team Secretary) saw to it that we had full elevens for each fixture. Apparently one week he was one short for a Sunday game and did not know where to turn. A knock at the door, opened to receive a telegram from the West Indies. “Home Saturday, available Sunday – Peter Hall”. How lucky can you get!
Off the pitch the Golfing Society was going strong with the Club proudly notching up a victory over Royal Epping Forest Golf Club.