Brigands v Sons of Bacchus, 3 May 2026

Over thirty years, an American coach, Bruce Brown, observed the impact parents have on their sport-playing adolescents. Athletes were asked what their parents said that made them feel great or amplified their joy during and after a game.

Their overwhelming response: "I love to watch you play."

Parents were in good number at Broadhalfpenny Down for the visit of the Sons of Bacchus, a jovial multi-generational team who sported an array of interesting cricket caps and more lawyers than Manchester City.

Rob Manson's parents were delighted to see their son playing at the cradle of cricket. His Mum missed his first wicket "just getting something from the car" but saw him drop a catch and then fumble the ball over the rope for four, to remark that the last time she saw him drop a catch like that "he broke his arm, but his Dad made him throw the ball back with his good arm".

Rupert Preece's parents, Rodney and Berry, turned up in their small red convertible and parked by the Monument on the shorter boundary. When Dave Turner crashed a six to within six inches of the car, Rodney gave a celebratory toot-toot of the horn and drove off to safety.

Adam Jay's parents arrived after a countryside walk to enjoy Tabby's tea (including delicious Guinness cake) and watch their son score his first fifty of the season, including 20 quick singles and not many dots; Adam's dad asked with pride, "Is my son playing tip and run?"

Jake Peach's family came along to watch and do a bit of scoring. Graham Peach had the unusual challenge of parenting not one, but three, highly talented cricketers in his family, but he beams with pleasure every time he sees Jake take a wicket.

Graham, you imagine, would do what Jim Redmond did at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 when he saw his son snap a hamstring, his dream shattered. Derek Redmond said afterwards, "Everything I had worked for was finished. I hated the world. I hated hamstrings. I hated it all. I told myself I had to finish. I kept hopping round. Then, with 100 metres to go, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my old man."

The Sons of Bacchus batted first and, aptly, they opened with Father and Son Lazenby with wife, daughter, and dog watching on expectantly. Father was out for 8, caught Ladenburg at cover off the bowling of Rob Manson, and Son was bowled for 9 from a Neil Wood yorker. "Bad luck" said Father as he clapped him off, "was it the inswinger?"

John Brehaut got a couple of balls to turn and bounce, taking 2 wickets for 23. Henry Moore picked up 1 for 11 from 3 overs. The Brigands' fielding was erratic; after Dave Turner misjudged a skier at mid-on, Jim Morris dived low to his right and held onto one at mid-off.

Ed Gibson hit the ball hard and top-scored for Bacchus with 63 as they were bowled out for 210, with Jake Peach the pick of the bowlers with 3-11 from 6 overs.

Hambledon locals, Jay (54) and Ladenburg (57 with 11 boundaries), plundered anything short of a length and wide of off-stump. 15 off the first 5 overs, 35 off the next 5. Both retired when they reached their fifties, allowing Dave Turner (13) to play a crowd-entertaining cameo.

Dave Henderson (45 with 2 sixes) and Jim Morris (15 including an all-run 4) came together to see the Brigands home for a 9-wicket victory, with the only chance an outside edge dropped by the keeper, Rob Walton, who said his thoughts had "turned to the pub … which surely accounts for my most appalling dropped catch ever, the details of which I cannot bear to recall."

Having lost by 10 wickets the previous season, Sons of Bacchus reflected that they had now conceded 435 runs for 1 wicket against the Brigands; "Time to retire" was muttered.

But the result didn't really matter. Parents sat at the Bat & Ball watching kids in fancy dress and turning cartwheels in the newly laid pub garden. Others lingered over a post-match drink, talking with their children about the day, the game, and life. Bruce Brown was right. They just loved watching them play.

Brigands 211-1 beat Sons of Bachus 210 all out by 9 wickets

You can see Derek Redmond's father here; it's emotional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2G8KVzTwfw