The scene for the new season was set in the 29/4/49 edition of the Guardian which stated:
All Clubs have their gear in order – bats oiled, pads cleaned and whitened, while flannels and shirts are ready for the donning.
A new scorebox had been erected against the cricket pavilion in time for the 1949 season, in which 7 games were won from 28 1st XI fixtures.
Bill Sharnock was again the most consistent batsman with 1222 runs , including 129 v South Woodford and 110 v Brentwood but the bowling proved the weakness although Roy Porter took 72 wickets.
Ken Dowding hit back to back centuries for the 2nds v South Woodford (118) and Wanstead (106) and the only other centurions not mentioned here were Bill Jeffrey with 104 for the 2nd XI v Walthamstow and George Chapman –102 v Phoenix Assurance.
Best bowling for the season came from Jock Rutherford with an amazing 8-8 as Chingford 2nds bowled out Cheshunt for just 28. Harold Pryor took 8-41 v Wanstead 2nd XI, Archie Starling 8-42 in the 3rd XI v Woodford Wells, while Jock Harwood, amongst the wickets as usual captured 7-41 for the 2nds v Walthamstow.
In the big match of the season v Essex County XI on Sunday 29 May the crowd were disappointed that Trevor Bailey was unable to play due to injury. Chingford scored 133 all out with Essex passing Chingford’s total with ease to reach 245-5 at stumps.
The usual Sunday match v Wellingborough Priory saw the visitors amass a formidable 222-6 – no problem for Chingford as the total was passed for the loss of no wickets – Bill Sharnock (75not out) and George Chapman (133) putting on 229 for the first wicket!
In the defeat at home to Brentwood, Dick Wray bowled unchanged for an unbelievable 34 overs to capture 4-77, an amazing performance given the weather conditions were described as “tropical”.
There was no home ground for the 3rd eleven, therefore for this eleven all match fees were waived.
Reviewing the season Buddy Jessop’s scrapbook reports:
1949 was undoubtedly my best season. The batting powers which I always knew were there blossomed. It was thrilling to go to the wicket expecting to score runs. The bowling I think fell off slightly although I took just as many wickets.
Rule 15 would not have gone down too well with Richard Alston reading
The permitted hours for the supply of intoxicants shall be: Weekdays – 11.30am – 2pm; 4.30pm to 10pm. Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday – 12noon to 2.00pm; 7pm to 10pm
The winter featured hockey once again at Forest Side and the West Essex Club used two pitches, one each side of the square for the first time – an arrangement that was to last until the 1970s. The Hockey Club wrote to the Council asking if they would agree to improve the washing facilities in the dressing rooms and the Council agreed at a cost of £50.
Other facilities were improving too - electric lighting was put into the clubhouse for at a cost of £31 15s 6d and a telephone was installed for the first time with the number Silverthorn 5849.
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