The Club’s Annual Supper at The Royal Forest Hotel saw the presentation of a silver cigarette box to Joe Jessop on his retirement from active service within the Club.
Robin Hobbs reached the England Squad in 1964 – only seven years previously he had been performing in the Extra 3rd Eleven. Even so to his great credit, he still found time to turn out for the Club when he could.
In the 7 August edition, The Express and Independent reported the news all at the Club had been waiting for:
HOBBS CHOSEN FOR MCC TOUR
In just one season of first class cricket, Chingford star Robin Hobbs has risen to the top. This was confirmed on Sundaty by the MCC selectors who included his name among the first eleven to tour South Africa this winter.
After waiting some time for his break with Essex, Hobbs has shown consistently brilliant form throughout the season.
It will be 22 year old Hobbs’ first tour abroad and his first taste of international cricket but it could open the door to a long Test career. His leg-spinners have been a constant threat to county rivals throughout the season and he has shown some forceful batting.
Hobbs was on the verge of selection for an MCC side earlier in the season but his county captain, Trevor Bailey, advised he should not be chosen until he had more experience.
He could also be joined by Essex all rounder Barry Knight for the tour. Knight’s performance in the single wicket competition puts him well in line for one of the other tour places.
1964 saw the construction of Woodedge Close on the land next to the Queen Elizabeth and three blocks of flats appeared behind the eastern edge of the ground to enclose it on all four sides.
At the start of the season the revelutionary Ted Lord was interviewed by the Guardian as the headline read Chingford say: ”Let’s go League”
The article read:
League cricket is planned by Chingford Cricket Club. The side that produced players like Doug Insole and Robin Hobbs wants local clubs to join in forming the first league table.
“Think of the edge it would give the games” said committee member Mr. Edward Lord. “A league would form a focal interest on all the matches that the senior local clubs play. Result – a greater sense of competition because captains would be trying harder to achieve definite results and more people would be tempted to watch the games.” Mr. Lord, a Stoke-on-Trent man, who grew up with league cricket, has already sounded out a number of local clubs. Walthamstow and Highams Park have shown interest and now Mr. Lord wants a meeting of the top clubs to plan a league for next season.
“If any clubs are interested perhaps they would contact me” said Mr. Lord of 10 Station Road, Chingford.
However in the Sunday A game at Northampton Exiles on 20 September the Palmers Green Gazette reported:
R. Hobbs shortly to tour South Africa with the MCC side no doubt looked on apprehensively having declined an invitation to bowl as he was still feeling the effects of his inoculations
Another successful season left the 1st XI winning eleven games from twenty two, with eight draws and only three defeats. Buddy Jessop had two consecutive big wicket hauls following up a 6-16 v Edmonton with 5-47 v Buckhurst Hill. Meanwhile Bryan Hart took 5-36 as Wanstead were skittled for just 77. The highest scores we know about were 79 not, 69 and 67 by Ken Dowding against Chelmsford, Winchmore Hill and Woodford Wells respectively.
In the seconds Bunny Swinfen captured 6-54 from 20 overs against Wanstead. The final 2s game of the season saw Woodford Wells bowler Mike Abbott claim a rare clean sweep with 10-46 at Forest Side.
The 3rd Eleven notched up sixteen victories.
The Extra Third Eleven book survives, and there were 5 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats in a programme of 16 matches. David Jones led the bowling attack capturing 38 wickets, including 7-71 against Buckhurst Hill and 6fers in the matches against Old Parkonians and Calthorpe while Les Stubbings took 8-26 against Northampton Exiles and his son Roger 8-19 v Old Parkonians. Ted Alston took 23 wickets aswell. Top run scorers were Noel Westerhout with 310 and Oliver Dennis with 286.
In the Sunday As, Tony Vann hit a century in the home game v Eastcote, whilst in the Sunday A game at home to Southgate the visiting no 11 appealed (unsuccessfully) against the light, but still held out for the draw.
There was sad news with the death of James Wisbey, a Club member for fifty years and an active participant of the defunct Tennis section.