In 1928 the Club’s official results were:

According to the official Club Averages, in 1^st XI games Len Parslow led the averages with 37.4 and an aggregate of 673. This also included centuries v Romford (117) and North London (109). Meanwhile Reg Taylor hit 513 runs and Norman Hood 430. With the ball Bill Adamson took 68 wickets at 17.4 apiece, including 8-38 v Phoenix Assurance in Cricket Week and Harold Willson took 54 at 17.6 each. Gordon Downes achieved the rare feat of a “century” when he returned analysis of 7-112 v Royal Epping Forest Golf Club in the final game of the season. Richard Alston’s Grandfather, England player Maurice Nichols made a one-off appearance in the game at Buckhurst Hill following up a useful 62 with 3 wickets.

Cricket Week threw up a run feast with firstly Chingford conceding a record score against in the Monday 6 August game with South Woodford. Chingford hit a respectable 157, but in reply South Woodford batted on to record a mammoth 373 all out. Undeterred Chingford set about putting things right in the match v Amehurst on Wednesday 8 August when Chingford hit a club record total of 425-6 and Len Parslow (193) played one of the greatest innings in Chingford history – in an opening stand of 245 with Willie Longden (97). The Guardian picks up the story:

WEDNESDAY V AMEHURST

On Wednesday Chingford completely overwhelmed Amehurst. The visitors compiled a total of 175. Fremantle (27), Dack (29) and Hegearty (28) being chief contributors. SF Bland captured 4 for 14. Chingford’s opening batsmen, LF Parslow and WG Longden put on the magnificent score of 245 for the first wicket. Longden was unlucky to be dismissed when 3 short of a century after a splendid innings. Parslow’s fine innings of 193 was a great display. Later R Taylor (66 not out) , WG Spencer (20) and G Cooke (19 not out) contributed to the large total of 425 for 6.

A Charity Match was arranged in August and The Guardian reported the story:

CHINGFORD DO WELL AGAINST COUNTY PLAYERS

Chingford’s charity match with ACA “Jack” Russell’s XI in aid of Forest Hospital drew a large crowd. Chingford batted first and commenced badly. N Hood was bowled by Nichols in the first over and with five on the board, E Peachey was beaten by a good ball from Eastman. LF Parslow and R Taylor then added 23 before the former left, and WG Longden, who followed, had his leg stump uprooted by a very fast ball from Nichols. Taylor, who had batted very well, then fell to a catch at the wicket. With 5 men out for 37, L Russell and AE Adamson settled down to steady cricket, but with the score at 86 Russell had the misfortune to be run out for an invaluable 24. HG Willson rendered further valuable assistance before falling victim to Nichols for a well played 25. The last two wickets had put together 98 and Adamson’s 50, the result of resolute batting was heartily applauded by the crowd. The innings finally realised 173. Nichols captured 3 for 21 and Eastman 4 for 54. Cutmore and Pope opened for the visitors and put on 58 before the latter was caught at the wicket. Then Hipkin assisted Cutmore to take the score to within 5 of Chingford’s total before the left hander was well caught in the slips for 57. The remaining batsmen did little of note, but Cutmore played a capital century innings, and in one over hit Adamson for two 6s and two 4s. Stumps were drawn with the score 292 for 9. G Downes bowled well and took 3 for 99.

In the 2^nd XI, Stan Kitchener had a great all-round season with 351 runs and38 wickets, including 8-49 v Westcliff. Bert Curry made 312 runs and with the ball, F Stocker (35) and C Newman (34) took plenty of wickets

The A XI went the season undefeated thanks to some great performances, which included centuries in consecutive weeks fom Harold Fruin v Walthamstow (133) and ASA Banks (109). Also Bill Carvell took ahat trick on 28 April in a spell of 5-10 in Chingford’s win over ASA Banks. William Sandrock took 40 wickets and also captured a hat-trick in his 5-20 as the As bowled out Allenburys for just 34.

The unbeaten record attracted a massive press article in the Express and Independent dated 29 Sep 1928:

A ELEVEN DINNER FOR UNBEATEN RECORD

In commemoration of Chingford A XI’s feat of passing through the cricket season without sustaining a single defeat a dinner was generously given by the skipper of the A team Mr JJ Church at the Manchester Hotel, London on Saturday. This was indeed a splendid conclusion for a meritorious season.

On the menu card was printed the side’s enviable record for the season viz: P17 W13 D4. Supporting the Captain who presided were Mr GJS Underhill the Club’s Secretary and Mr AW Taylor the former A XI Captain.. A gathering of 25 were present. At the close of an excellent repast “The King” was loyally toasted.

Mr AW Taylor proposed “The A Eleven”. He said he wished to couple the name and the skipper with the toast (applause). It gave him very great pleasure to propose the toast as he thought to some extent he could be the father of the A XI. They had had a very successful season and he was sure they would be successful again next year if they maintained that good fellowship and the team spirit that he knew in the past they had always displayed. Every man doing his best for the side won matches. He had not the eloquence to say all he would have liked of the skipper, Mr Church. He was a real cricketer (applause). By that he did not mean one who had made a lot of runs or took a lot of wickets but one who always played the game. Mr Taylor continuing said he had been asked by those present to hand Mr Church some souvenir to show their esteem and appreciation of him. Mr Church was presented on behalf of those present with a silver cigarette case suitably inscribed. Making the presentation, Mr Taylor congratulated him on skippering the side through such a successful season. Mr Church was accorded musical honours.

Replying Mr Church said he did not know how to thank them for their kindness in making the presentation. He would treasure the gift greatly. The A XI was the foundation of the Chingford Cricket Club and if the foundations were not good the building fell (hear hear). It had been a great pleasure to skipper the side. They had always played cricket for their opponents and when they had seemed in danger of defeat they had never at any time lost (applause).

Mr GJS Underhill proposed “The Chingford Cricket Club”. He said the club was founded in 1884 and was a club to be proud of (hear hear). Sooner or later when the older players went out of the game the club would be looking to fill their places. Without their support the club could not exist. If the members of the A XI gave the club the same support they had given Mr Church the club would be assured of success.

Mr WF Carvell the Vice Captain proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Church for arranging the function. He said they had some close matches and often had they lost “the smell of the soup” (laughter). They had had a very happy season and in their skipper they had one who had been faced with a hard task to uphold the reputation of Mr AW Taylor. They had all been happy under Mr Church’s leadership.

Mr G Cooke seconded the vote. He said he thoroughly endorsed the remarks of Mr Taylor when he said that Mr Church was a cricketer in the real source of the word. They had all enjoyed the season with Mr Church as skipper. 

During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs LF Parslow, SC Spicer, WF Carvell and JJ Church. Billiards and snooker were also indulged in.

The Thursday XI game v Woodford Thursday on 21 June saw a situation unlikely to ever be repeated with two clergymen featuring in the same Chingford side – Rev C Howard Knight and Rev G Lawrence.