Brigands v Stansted Park, 25 May 2025

On the 15th of June 1741 - with The Hambledon Club yet to establish itself - Stansted Park played host to a match between Portsmouth and Slindon cricket clubs, watched by 5,000 people according to a letter from the Duke of Richmond. The beautiful mansion house near Rowlands Castle still hosts a cricket club today, made up of gentlemen from Hampshire and West Sussex who play their cricket in a jovial spirit.

Brigands won the toss and sent in Mike Beardall and Dave Turner to face opening bowler and blacksmith Pete Clutterbuck - known in cricketing circles as the Meon Valley Destroyer on account of a memorable five-wicket haul in the 1990s; if you drive around Portsmouth and spot an elegant wrought iron gate, it’s a safe bet it was handcrafted by Clutterbuck.

Both opening batters were out clean bowled, Rupert Preece in next was LBW after a handsome 23, and then Dave Henderson and Paul Whittle put on a brisk 40 with cheeky singles and cut shots.

The bowlers had to negotiate a 40 miles per hour wind blowing towards the Bat and Ball Pub; the heavy bails were on and the sight screens tethered down. It was so gusty the bell had to be taken down when the Pavilion started ringing like a little fishing boat on a foggy day in the North Sea.

Gerry Northwood and Jake Peach came together at 107-6; then 9 overs, 40 minutes and 1 lost ball later, Brigands declared at 196-6 with both batters finding gaps between and over the fielders.

Bryan Burns was umpiring so Pam Burns was back with the best scones in village cricket, the Sargant family did the rest. A top tea and a longer than usual tea break to enjoy it.

It’s not often Brigands can field two new debutants who both bowl; John Dennis, an affable Kiwi who loves to fish and bowl left-arm spin, and Adam Joy, a flighty wrist spinner who would be a top cricketer if he didn’t have a weekend job.

Both learned the Brigands way with a dropped catch and missed stumping in the first few overs. Dennis took matters into his own hands with a one-handed caught and bowled, then the most improved player of the season Whittle held a fine catch at point, and Peach took one for the team with a fine stop using his shin at short mid-off. The most mercurial fielding team in Hampshire were back.

Neil Wood wobbled the ball in the wind and picked up three quick wickets to reduce Stansted Park to 78-8. There was a point when Joy was bowling to his Dad with Uncle Gary at the non-strikers end. When Tim Joy hit his son for 4 past Whittle at mid-on the bowler said “if he does that again I’m telling Mum”.

The score got to 114 with Sam Sargant running in and bowling up the hill into the wind, blowing like a horse carrying a very heavy load. He got his wicket with an away -swinging Yorker and the innings closed shortly after.

Brigands 196-6 declared beat Stansted Park 120 all out by 76 runs