Chingford Cricket Club

 A Review of the 1972 Season

Sadly Joe Jessop passed away in 1972 and The Secretary’s Report, written by Stan Whitmarsh paid tribute to his immense contribution to Chingford Cricket Club:

“1933 was an important year in the Club’s history because at a committee meeting held at The Queen Elizabeth Hotel on 10 April, Mr JWA Jessop was elected an Honorary Member. Many of you will know that Joe will long be remembered for his service to the Club. Our records show that on 20 August 1940 “The Secretary stated he was likely to be called up for military service in the very near future and he thought it would be advisable to find someone to take his place when this happened. He said that he had asked Mr J Jessop and found out that he would be very willing to take it on. It was therefore agreed unanimously that Mr Jessop be Secretary when Mr Spencer went”. Not satisfied with being Secretary, in 1944 Joe became Hon Secretary and Treasurer, a position he held until 1948. He served for many years as a Committee member, 24 years as a Trustee and for 10 years (1952-62) as the Club President”

1972 saw the birth of the Essex League with Chingford well represented on the initial committee with Ron Lynch as Chairman and Bryan Knight as Fixture Secretary. In the first season of “proper” League cricket Chingford 1^st and 2^nd elevens both had 17 League fixtures scheduled although some local sides were played twice. The Express and Independent introduced Chingford’s entry to the League:

Both the 1^st and 2^nd XI will be playing in the new Essex League which Secretary Stan Whitmarsh described as “the sort of fillip that was needed and something that will give the game a bit of bite”. He added “it also gives us the chance to go further afield to places like Colchester and Southend”

Graham Lord and Ken Dowding were the first and second eleven Captains and it is interesting to note the side that represented Chingford 1^st XI in the inaugural League match, away to Colchester !

Malcolm Ridgway scored the first League run, while fittingly Bryan Hart picked up the first League wicket. For the record the game ended as a draw, Chingford 145-7, Colchester 112-9. Overall Chingford finished well down the League, losing only 2 games but significantly only 2 were won with 10 ending honours even in draws.

Chingford were never short of runs with the regular top five, with Geoff Sandrock (574), Malcolm Ridgway (511), Graham Lord (467), Mike Edmonds (401) and David Rafis (264) all making significant contributions. The bowling was not so strong with the side lacking a recognised regular slow bowler but nevertheless Bryan Hart contributed an excellent 43 wickets (including 7-32 v Woodford Wells) whilst Buddy Jessop captured 20.

Graham Lord hit 104 v Loughton while Geoff Sandrock made 102 * v Hadleigh and Thundersley

Both Geoff Sandrock and Mike Edmonds were selected for Essex 2^nd eleven in their drawn game with Sussex at Forest Side on June 26/27 – with Sandrock hitting 45 in one innings.

Peter Brown had a couple of excellent bowling spells in the 2s with 8-26 against Wanstead and 6-33 v Buckhurst Hill, while Peter Hall hit 108 v Chelmsford.

Jeff Runciman enjoyed his first season as skipper with his 3^rd XI earning 6 wins. Highlights were Keith Eglinton’s 6-8 v Woodford Wells and an Arthur Rose hat trick v Broomfield.

For the Extra 3rds there were 10 wins and Ted Alston took 6-24 in the draw with Old Parkonians. Noel Westerhout made 77 in the same match, following up 75 v South Woodford the week before. Sid Arnold took an impressive 8-12 v Winchmore Hill.

In the Sunday As, the record was Won 4 Drawn 9 Lost 5. Mike Edmonds hit 129* v Barnet and Graham Lord was the other centurion with 102 v Highams Park. Overall Geoff Sandrock hit 661 runs and Mike Edmonds 432. With the ball again Bryan Hart led the way with 18 wickets, whilst best analysis came from Peter Snelling with 7-29 v Barnet.

In the Sunday Bs the game away to Wheathampstead A proved to be a near disaster with seven Chingford batsmen returning to the pavilion with ducks to their name – thank heaven for Stuart Tyrrell who scored 50 of his side’s 67 all out!

For the 1972 season the four sightscreens we still possess were purchased from Green and Shipley Weir Ltd’s Sports Ground at Wanstead for £201. Club rule 9 was amended so that the Captains of the Sunday sides would be elected by the Players Meeting instead of being appointed by the Selection Committee. Bunny Swinfen was presented with a silver cigarette box in recognition of 17 years service as Secretary since 1955. During this period he never missed a meeting or Club function. A colt named Peter Joslin became the youngest player to score a hundred at Forest Side and was presented with a Club cap.

Hon Secretary’s Report 1972

Congratulations are due to Fred Smith for preparing a wicket which even the Essex 2^nd XI cricketers were satisfied but it was a bit much expecting the Club to use the same strip for the next three weekends!

It is sad to see that Andy Lewis is past his prime. In 1971 he took 7-7 v Chelmsford but in 1972 the best he could do was 7-8 v Old Brentwoods.