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With Christmas coming, there are some special gifts available at the Broadhalfpenny Down shop during November. If you enter code "November" at check out you get free delivery too. All proceeds go to the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust and Brigands Cricket Club. There's the ever-popular Beanie, as modeled by The Rt Hon Lord Justice Dingemans. There are limited edition B3 bats; these are beautiful bits of willow as used by Brigands' leading run scorer in 2023 ;) with a further discount only available in November. What about a special soft handkerchief that was even used last year by one shopper to wrap Christmas presents (Japanese Furoshiki style) and put in a cracker by another shopper. There's the beautiful print of Broadhalfpenny Down by Jack Russell too. Cricket art at its finest. And whilst it's not T-Shirt weather, they make great stocking fillers and last year sold out and modeled this year by leading T20 batter Adam Jay. So please contribute to the club and at the same time get some great merchandise for yourself, or make someone very happy on Christmas Day.

Length: 6-7 miles The Bat & Ball pub is about halfway on this route; ideal for a lunch break or drink. This walk starts out along East Street and goes easterly in the Clanfield direction, so if you are coming from outside the village, it will be easier to park on the roadside just beyond the first set of traffic-calming bollards. Entrance to Hambledon, and the People's Market on East Street Go along East Street from The People's Market, past George House, and in a few hundred metres there is a paddock on the right. Take the next road on the right, then immediately fork left by 'Rosecroft'. Go up the hill, and at the top take the stony path ahead, then over the stile on your left. The path lies across some fields, at first following the line of the electricity poles, then heading towards a farm building in a hollow. After that, you reach a farm track where you turn right. At the next junction, turn left and bear left again by a muck heap, till you reach a narrow road by a barn. Turn right here, passing Scotland Cottage, where the road becomes a track, going uphill then down. After the pine wood, far-reaching views open up. The mewing cry of buzzards is often heard here, and skylarks may be singing overhead. Cross a stile on your left into a field and make for a stile on the other side of the field. This leads to a road. Turn right, and beware of the traffic as you walk the short distance to the Bat & Ball pub - your halfway point, ideal to stop for lunch or a drink. The pub and cricket ground opposite is a mecca for cricket fans, the pub displaying memorabilia about the early days of cricket. The Bat and Ball After the pub, take the road past the car park. See the memorial stone on your left by the cricket ground known as Broadhalfpenny Down, where the first Hambledon cricket club played in the 18th century. In a short while go over a stile on your left into a field. Continue through several fields keeping the fence on your left. Go over a stile on your left before the copse, and head towards a gate, which you have to climb over. Cross the road and follow the path ahead. After a while the path enters a wood (yellow arrow on a post) and winds about, emerging into a field where it goes right. At the signpost turn left, and head for a yellow marker at the edge of the wood. If it is early spring, snowdrops may be seen on your right as you enter the wood. There are also foxgloves here in May or June. Park House, Hambledon Follow the path through Park Wood, then continue on the track to a road by Park House. Turn right here then right again at the crossroads. On reaching the cricket ground (Ridge Meadow, where Hambledon currently play), take the footpath on the left. Cross the field towards the far right corner. The wood on your right was planted in the 1990s with a wide variety of native trees, which are colourful in spring, summer and autumn with blossom, fruits and many-coloured leaves. After the plantation the path leads to a stile into a small copse on the hillside. Cross the paddock, over the stile and turn left downhill. At the post with waymark arrows, turn right onto a footpath through the vineyard. At the next roadway turn left and go downhill back to East Street where you started. For the village centre turn right. With thanks to Hambledon Parish Council. Broadhalfpenny Down cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies with this walk, or directions :) Enjoying walks to, and watching, at, the two cricket grounds

The Brigands AGM took place on Sunday, October 8 2023. Key items discussed and agreed were; Chairman's Welcome Apologies Minutes of AGM in 2022 Relationship between Brigands and the Trust The "Jay Report" presented some compelling recommendations for the future structure of the Brigands. The report would be reviewed in due course, once the structure and workings of the Trust had been reinvigorated. The relationship with Hambledon CC continues to strengthen. Tribute was paid to the ground staff, umpires, and scorers for their efforts at supporting cricket in 2023. Acknowledgement was made of the contribution of outgoing Club President, Bryan Burns. Honorary Secretary’s Report Confirmed that all players were insured whilst involved in games at Broadhalfpenny Down. Friends of Brigands amended to Member of the Brigands (Friends may still be used for Sponsors etc.) and annual fee remains at £15. Match Managers to emphasise the importance of visiting teams bringing an Umpire. Honorary Fixtures Secretary Report T20 fixtures are proving popular with local teams, especially as many of these teams do not like paying a full afternoon match fee. 3 2024 fixture cards will feature only Brigand’s games and be a mixture of hard and soft-copy versions. The additional space will now allow the list of serving Life Vice Presidents to be reinstated. The current attractive cover will also be retained. Discussion on whether the increased number of matches was placing too much strain on the ground and resources. With 15 wickets, 3 games per season on each was about right, giving a ground capacity of 45 games per year. The number of adult games programmed for the ground in 2023 was 47, of which 5 were T20 games and at least 5 games were cancelled. Junior games have specific strips allocated at the end of the square or are played on the artificial. In 2024 it will be 60 years since the Rioteers club first played at Broadhalfpenny Down and a special event could be planned for the game. Ground Member’s Report 2024 will be Harry Bates last year as Ground Member; a tribute to the late Rod Price and thanks to Paul Jackson and Pete Tomkins were given. An anti-mole plan is ready to execute. Discussion on whether to lower or remove the hedge directly across the road from the Bat & Ball to allow patrons to watch cricket from the beer garden but past difficulties with the Campaign for Rural England when similar schemes had been mooted in the past. Honorary Treasurer’s Report Match fees remain at £14 per game for adults and £7 per game for others, Annual Subscriptions remain at £72 per year, Opposition teams are charged £150 per game, Non-playing members are renamed ‘Member of The Brigands’ to enable flexibility with subscriptions. A review of those with access to the Club’s bank account to follow. Communications Report Request for more content and more contributors to the website to ensure that the workload of keeping it updated and engaging didn’t fall to just a few members. BDPT Representative’s report The BDPT has had a relatively quiet 2023, following the successful events in 2022 and did not arrange any additional fixtures on BHPD. Over the past year, the facilities on Broadhalfpenny Down had suffered an increase in petty vandalism although MB did receive regular reports. He thanked the often maligned local ‘dog walkers’ for being an effective ‘neighbourhood watch’. The Pavilion requires work on the clock (parts are to hand & it should be repaired within a few weeks), boiler and effort to ensure it is fully watertight. The covers (wheel tyres) and sightscreens are also in need of work over the winter. ‘Memorial stones’. The minimum order for stones has not yet been reached but there are enough for the 1st tranche (c.32 stones). The initial plan for these 32 is to lay them in a line across the W side of the memorial. The TV personality, Susan Calman visited the ground recently and filmed a short segment for a programme highlighting places to visit in Britain. I The focus for the off-season 23/24 would be to work on the Pavilion to ensure it is in a fit state for the start of next season. A decision will also be made with respect to fund raising to pay for the work. Election of Committee Officials Harry Bates was elected as Ground Member. Any Other Business, by permission of the Chairman A vote of thanks for all those on the Brigands Committee for their work over the past season. Concerns over the availability of volunteers for club, including scorers. Closing address by the President I am sure many of you will have seen the 6 hit story on the website of Wally Rothwell hitting Ray Lindwall over the pub car park and trees during a Taverners match in 1961. It was posted on 15th August, and I am very sad to report that we heard from Australia that Wally died just 4 days later. Through friends here he kept in touch with the Club’s progress and sent us a warm message of congratulations in our Golden Jubilee year in 2009. There will be a new post on the website about him shortly. On a lighter note, I thought the end of season dinner last night was excellent. A good turnout of members, a very happy and warm occasion for the Club. Congratulations to Richie for his organisation of the whole event. I usually begin my end of AGM address with thanks to our umpires and scorers. This year Clive has taken charge of the umpires union and I am sure I speak on his behalf as well when I extend the Club’s thanks to all umpires and scorers for another successful year. Next year he will have his own opportunity as he fills this spot and I am delighted he is taking over as Club President. Clive has worked tirelessly in the background not just as Club Treasurer but in producing the template for the future of the Club together with Roy Newman when MERCURY closed. He was also involved with me in arranging all the events of our Jubilee year in 2009. After all the excitement last year, this has been a challenging season, especially with the mix of weather and matches cancelled. But it’s happened before and we have come through in good fettle with a healthy number of playing members and Club finances in good order. My thanks and congratulations to the new committee. I have probably said enough about fixture congestion and giving the ground staff time to prepare pitches properly for Brigands matches during the course of the AGM, but we as a Club have preserved and nurtured this ground for over 60 years and I believe we must ensure that Brigands cricket has the priority it deserves. Last year I emphasised the combined efforts of the Committee, members, the Trust, ground staff, many other supporters and the Bat and Ball who make this Club a success and we must never lose sight of the interdependence we all have in one another. To this, I would add that the soul of this Club has always been that we dig in when needed and my disappointment was aired on WhatsApp that there were so few playing members, notwithstanding the usual regulars, and no one from the Trust to help in putting the ground to bed. For the future, the Chairman has already outlined his priorities and I would support these wholeheartedly even if I will only be watching from the boundary. Thank you for allowing me the honour of being your President for the past 13 years and I will continue to support the Club, of which I have been a member for 54 years, in any way I can. Bryan Burns now reverts to Life Vice-President with Clive Barnett taking over as President.

Much fun was had at the Annual Brigands Dinner, held at the Bat and Ball last weekend. Grace was given by Clive Barnett, funds raised by Mike Beardall, warm words from Gerry Northwood, and Prizes handed out by Bryan Burns; all expertly organised by Richie Hay along with the lovely team at the Bat and Ball. Bryan Burns was awarded the Dom Rock trophy and thanked for his many years of dedicated service to the Brigands as President, as he handed over to Clive Barnett. The All Rounders club had a mini-get together and Guy Ladenburg won the Champagne Moment of the season for his blistering caught and bowled. Mo Ali won Young Player of the Season, Mike Bath sent in a video message from Saudi Arabia collecting his bowling award and Lee Gray was Best Batter.

Back in August, we celebrated Wally Rothwell's six off the bowling of Ray Lindwall (of the Australian "Invincibles" of 1948) in the match against the Lord's Taverners in 1961. It was with enormous sadness that we heard that just a few days later Wally had died at home in Australia. Mike Ellis (a Brigand since 1961) recalls meeting Wally at HMS MERCURY in 1961, when, with 11 others they undertook the Royal Navy Communications specialist course. A stalwart of the group, Wally was always cheerful, encouraging everyone through exams and other hoops of the course. Several of the course joined the then recently formed Brigands and Wally soon revealed his innate sporting ability and is, of course, particularly remembered for his six over the Bat and Ball pub off Ray Lindwall. He was so much better than any of the rest of the team, that in the traditional match against the Navigation specialists of HMS DRYAD, he was required to be an umpire. With the change of the seasons, so Wally turned to his favourite sport, Rugby, playing first for US Portsmouth, where his outstanding skills, especially his instinctive reading of a match, soon led to his being selected for the Navy and the Combined Services XVs. On return to Australia, he played rugby for Victoria, ACT, and for first-grade clubs Manly and Ainslie (sometimes being helicoptered in from sea for a match). During his 1967 captaincy of Australian Services, the coach said, “Rothwell was an inspirational leader and proved himself as good a breakaway [flanker] as any in Australia.” Wally enjoyed a successful career in the Royal Australian Navy, serving in several ships during the Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation and the Vietnam War. As executive officer of the naval air station HMAS Albatross, he was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct for leading and himself manhandling aircraft out of a burning hangar. He commanded the frigate, HMAS Stuart and ended his career as Director of Naval Communications. He was always hospitable to visiting RN officers; and Mike Ellis recalls being taken to the Sydney Cricket Ground to see MCC v. NSW where bad light stopped play because of the intense shadow cast by the enormous stands. Wally retired from the Navy in 1984 to become Executive Director of the Australian Telecommunications User Group and in 1995 became Deputy Ombudsman for Communications, finally retiring in 2002. A bad back, probably caused by an incident in the scrum, meant he was often in pain and he had to use a wheelchair as he got older. Sport suffused his life, on a previous posting to UK in the late 50s, while at the Royal Naval College Greenwich, a blind tennis date led to his meeting Jennie, an Australian studying in London. By 1961 she was working in London and they married in 1962 - fellow Brigand Peter Tuke “gave away” Jennie. Sadly, Jennie died in 2021 and Wally never really recovered from her loss, dying on 19 August 2023. A great sportsman and gentleman, he maintained his contact with the Brigands and sent a warm message of congratulations to the Club when its' Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2009 with a dinner at the Hampshire Rose Bowl.

The Grace, read by incoming President Clive Barnett, at the 2023 Dinner held at the Bat & Ball; Our bag is green and made of canvas, strong and leather bound, Overfilled with kit we’ve purchased, borrowed, begged or found; Emptied out on summer evenings when it doesn’t rain, But frankly half the stuff it holds we’ll never use again. Worn-out gloves with pimply rubber stitched up to the knuckles, Floppy pads with leather straps & little jingly buckles, All marked ‘Portsmouth Grammar School’ in prominent positions, And some with names of other clubs, nicked from the opposition. Dear Lord, For food, for fellowship, and the sheer joy of playing the game that binds us all, we humbly give you thanks. Amen

Join our annual dinner and prize-giving for the Broadhalfpenny Down Brigands 2023 season from 7pm on Saturday 7th October. One last chance to enjoy the company of cricket-loving people in the setting of the Bat & Ball. Featuring a three-course dinner, speeches, prize draw and more ... tickets for the evening cost £29.95 and are available from the Brigands Honorary Secretary at brigandscchonsec@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing playing members, members and friends of the Brigands then.

A lot seemed to happen despite only 8 overs of cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down. Portsmouth went in first to give the Christians (Father and Son) their first opportunity to bat together (it lasted 12 balls) and give Dave Turner the opportunity to show off a mini bucket hat to match his mini keeping gloves. The rain came and the covers came on and off, and on and off. In the rush to get them on star bowler Mo Ali twisted his ankle in what could be Mike Bath's best chance of finishing the season as the leading wicket-taker. A new carpet arrived, some Australian tourists came down to see where the laws (not the spirit) of cricket had been codified and the sun shone on the very next field whilst it rained on the pitch. When play resumed Portsmouth raced to their 50 but any chance of setting a winnable total was dashed by more rain. Less time on the field meant more time in the tent enjoying tea and cake thanks to the wonderful Jenny Harris, and more time in the Bat and Ball. The post-match conversation ranged from libel laws and grandchildren to the Ottoman invasion of Constantinople. Despite his injured ankle, Mo was on inspiring form, suggesting improvements to match selection and communications, and volunteering to organise a pre-season overseas tour so the afternoon was by no means wasted. Match abandoned.

"Our revels have now ended" says Prospero in The Tempest and this match featured its own moments of comedy, magic arts, and cunning plots. Rain was falling when players arrived but there was an appetite to play; it was Horningsham's last match on Tour, and the very last match of the Brigands season. It was a surprise to the Brigands Captain to find out on his return from winning the toss that all of his first four batters were sheltering in the warmth and dry of the Bat & Ball. They were duly alerted, kit was hastily thrown on, and Father and Son strode out to the middle. Tom Ladenburg was floored by a full toss in the groin first ball and retired hurt rubbing the sore region on his way back to the pavilion. Guy Ladenburg (50) played cavalier shots to Long On, Adam Jay (20) scored briskly, and Brigands were on their way. Zeb Jay (38) played his best Brigands innings yet and, batting with Dave Henderson (34), he too started playing one-handed sweeps to leg and running on almost every ball. Daniel Rickards, on debut, Mo Ali, and Sam Sargant didn't hang around and finished the innings off allowing a sporting declaration of 174-7 off just 29 overs which meant time for a 44 over chase. The Horningsham openers adjusted well to the gentle medium pace of Reid and Wood putting on 37 runs without drama off the first 8 overs. Then Mike Beardall came on with his magic arts; mixing up the pace, bowling downhill, and using three decades of experience bowling at Broadhalfpenny Down. He got the breakthrough when James Davies hit the ball straight to Andy Reid at cover; then got one to pop leading to a catch behind from Jay, and then another for a catch at gully for Ali. Ollie Youngs came in to join Tom Obourne who by now was playing freely but when Youngs hit the ball high to Long On the score was 77-4 and Beardall had the first four wickets. The equation was 98 to win off 24 more overs, game on. Like the Tom Curry red card in England's opening match in the Rugby World Cup, one moment changed the game. Guy Ladenburg came into the attack and his over featured two quick wickets; an exciting run chase and a one-off chance to win at the cradle of cricket became wicket-preservation in the hope of a draw. Horningsham had 13 overs to survive; the art, science, and luck of timed cricket were in play. The pitch was drying out and became benign, 7 bowlers were rotated, appeals were plentiful but Umpire Nick Harris remained calm, impeachable, and implacable. The Horningsham batters, Callum Widdows and David O'Connor, were single-minded, obdurate, and admirable. With 9 Brigands fielding around the bat and the sun setting on a glorious evening the game ended in a draw, only the third draw all season. The bar at The Bat & Ball was as busy as it's been all season; another local cricket team, Newport Gentlemen, had been playing nearby also turned up, still wearing their whites, so they too could squeeze in one last night of post cricket chat in its spiritual home. Until next season, our revels have ended. Brigands 174-7 off 29 overs drew with Horningsham 151-7 off 44 overs. Brigands v Horningsham A day that started in raim, ended in sun. Umpire Nick Harris, Groundsman Harry Bates, and legends Adam Jay & Guy Ladenburg.

Of his many magical moments, Sir David Attenborough picked as his favourite the beautiful encounter from Life on Earth in 1979 when a female gorilla approached him, a mother who would remember him the next day and groom and play with him. Had he been at Broadhalfpenny Down this weekend, he might have added "caught and bowled Ladenburg" to that shortlist. Bowling to the Ramblers' best batter, Guy Ladenburg reacted to a fiercely hit straight drive and leaped like salmon up and to his right to pluck a catch at full stretch in his right hand. The crowd gasped and even the square leg umpire clapped; a catch for the ages. The game had started well for the Ramblers who picked up the first 4 Brigands wickets for just 45 runs bowling straight. On debut, Harry Collier from the Isle of Wight (the second Brigand to travel to Broadhalfpenny Down via hovercraft) survived some early scares but then settled in to bat with his former Portsmouth CC teammate, Dave Henderson. As the Oundle opening bowlers finished their spells, new bowlers were rotated and Brigands were merciless on bad balls with 4 sixes and 9 fours hit on their way to half-centuries; the momentum had shifted. Ladenburg and Lovett-Turner finished the innings with a 46-run partnership including a slog sweep from Lovett-Turner that went into the neighbouring field, and Brigands declared on 213 off 36 overs. The tea featured delicious blue cheese and bacon savouries and lemon drizzle cake as players sheltered from the sunshine. Ed Hands continued his unplayable hot streak with the ball (four overs with 2 wickets and no runs conceded) and some 19th Century History discussion with the Square Leg Umpire. Neil Wood picked up a wicket caught on the Deep Mid-Wicket boundary and Gerry Northwood bowled with guile to tempt the Ramblers into lofting their drives to waiting fielders (catches were sticking this week) finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 14. And then came "caught and bowled Ladenburg". After the match, there was the customary speech from the Oundle Ramblers Captain and Chairman that included deserved thanks to the heroic groundsmen Harry and Peter, the wonderful tea team of Laura and Caroline, and to the wonderful guest scorer Nina. Halcyon days. Brigands 213-6 declared beat Oundle Ramblers 48 all out by 165 runs Collier and Turner on their way to open for Brigands Collier and Henderson bully the bowlers The umpires, Ladenburg out, and Hands hits out

There are around 60 species of butterfly native to the UK, with almost 80% of these in long-term decline, a matter of which even Winston Churchill was concerned about. In contrast, Butterflies Cricket Club, founded in 1862 from 6 species of school, has been thriving thanks to an enviable fixture list and a supply of youthful cricketing talent. On a green wicket and in blustery conditions with Brigands batting first, Ladenburg was soon caught at point, Jay ran himself out trying a quick single to cover and Northwood hit a return catch to the bowler and Brigands were 42 for 3. The Hendersons, father and son, set about a rebuild by defending the pace of Kiwi-quick Tom Flavell and attacking the spin (and short leg side boundary) of Danny Harrison. Flavell's first 5 overs cost 9 runs and Harrisons first 5 cost 46 including 2 monstrous sixes from Dougie Henderson; the first went into the neighbouring parish of Clanfield and the second into the tall trees behind the bowler's arm. They ran between the wickets well, almost telepathically, and their fourth-wicket stand of 91 was their highest together before both were out, and it was left to Mo Ali (who hit 3 sixes himself) and Lee Gray to add 60 runs for the sixth wicket and a Brigands declaration on 210-5. A higher-than-average target was set out of respect to the strong Butterflies batting lineup, but what happened next was a privilege for anyone at the cradle of cricket on a Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon, as it was being at Edgbaston for Flintoff's over against Pointing or at The Oval for Broad's last flourish in The Ashes. Ed Hands, bowling uphill was in flow, his action rhythmic, and his attacking focus like a lepidopterist after his prize. He removed the top 3, all clean bowled, with a mixture of seam movement and subtle changes in length. At 24-3 the Butterflies were in trouble and only spilled catches could save them. There were in fact 6 drops, the first to Wood and the last to Henderson Senior, in ascending order of catch probability. Peter Danks, Brigand's esteemed scorer, noted he ran out of space to record the fielding errors. After 9 overs Hands was rested only for Gray to take over the mantle and his accuracy paid off with a wicket in his first over, bowled again. Bailey, behind the stumps, took two smart stumpings to round off a lovely afternoon in the sunshine and the biggest Brigands win of the season. As the umpires walked off, Clive Barnett, an Umpire who is unrivaled at giving a pre-dinner Grace, was beaming; he appreciated his front-row seat watching counter-attacking Brigands batting and even better Brigands bowling in the beautiful surrounds of the Hambledon Valley. Brigands 210-5 declared beat Butterflies 90 all out by 120 runs Brigands v Butterflies Grey and Ali lead Brigands off the field Umpires, including Clive Barnett (right)

Ashford Hill hadn't visited Broadhalfpenny Down for over 20 years so it was a warm welcome back to the village team from Basingstoke. With a good crowd, a blue sky and a short boundary it was a day for entertainment. There was a football for a pre match kickabout on World Cup Final day and the Turners had been baking all morning preparing a world class tea. Ewan Lovett-Turner took in the Zak Crawley role, driving and pulling his way to a superb 71. Dave Henderson hit a six and late cut his way to 38, and Dougie Henderson followed up with a six that sailed over The Monument and into the Bat and Ball. Jim Morris and Sam Sargant put on a quick 30 at the end so Brigands could declare on 196-4 off just 35 overs. Four front line bowlers were each given 6 overs (for contractual and scorebook symmetry reasons); Ed Hands bowled fast but without luck, Mike Beardall bowled with guile for 2 wickets, Lee Gray bowled with accuracy for 2 wickets and Neil Wood bowled with variety for 3 wickets. The best games finish with moments of magic; first Gerry Northwood's 2 for 2, and then Neil Wood's tempting slow left arm looper that induced a looping catch to Mike Beardall at first slip which stuck in his outstretched hand to seal another win for the Brigands. Brigands 196-4 declared beat Ashford Hill 84 all out by 112 runs Ashford Hill, a good crowd and the Brigands late middle order (not required) Dougie goes large Strong batting display at Broadhalfpenny Down Brigands football

As Brigands welcomed the Cornishmen to BHD there was one question on the lips of the players, "will it be jam or cream first on the scones at tea?" Before the question would be answered there was the small matter of a game of cricket. Brigands skipper Northwood won the toss and elected to bat first on a green and damp wicket. Adams and Flewitt opened the innings with Adams quickly returning to the pavilion in the second over. Flewitt was next to go for a patient 22 leaving Jay Snr scoring a creditable 21 before falling to some tight bowling. The skipper and Preece then looked to build a total for the home side. When Northwood fell for 23 it was left to Wood to join Preece as the crowd grew on hearing the news that Wood was promoted to be batting in the middle order. The pair quickly added 53 before Wood went for 22 trying to take on the Cornish bowlers. Jay Jnr and debutant Bird joined Preece in the middle to see Brigands through to 167-6 at tea with Preece not out on a well crafted 59. As the players gathered for tea to the delight of the visitors the scones were prepared in the traditional Cornish way of jam first followed by cream. Well done Rosie and Pam! After the delights of tea Brigands took toe the field to try and defend their total. With Wood and Osmond opening the bowling the visitors got off to a steady start before the opener gave a simple catch to another debutant, Bulpitt, at square leg. A smart catch behind the stumps from Preece followed by a LBW gave Wood his third wicket and left the visitors with work to do. With runs starting to flow Turner and Bird were brought into the attack. Turner quickly picked up a wicket bowling the charging batsman and this was followed in the next over by a calamitous run out. The striker hit the ball straight back to the bowler calling for a run but the non-striker was unmoved leaving Bird to collect the ball and return it to Preece behind the stumps to complete the run out. Was this the turning point of the game? It did appear that way but Turner put down 2 difficult catches off his own bowling only to see Jay Jnr and Flewitt take a catch each the following ball. With xx runs needs and only 3 wickets remaining the game looked up for the visitors but a 48 partnership from numbers 8 and 9 looked to turn the game. Northwood turned to his 2 opening bowlers for the last 5 overs to try and win the game. Wood quickly picked up his fourth wicket with the skipper taking the catch before the visitors decided a draw was the fair result shutting up shop for the last overs from Jay Jnr and Turner. A moral victory for Brigands with the visitors going home happy knowing that the scones were done their way!

We were delighted to welcome back, for this year's Whitchurch match, the esteemed journalist Elgan Alderman. Elgan was asked by The Times to write their main piece celebrating the 250th Anniversary of First Class cricket, and he penned a marvelous article that evoked the atmosphere of how cricket would have been played in Hambledon back in 1772. To celebrate his return, here is the article for everyone to enjoy; with huge thanks to The Times for providing brilliant cricket journalism and continuing to support us at Broadhalfpenny Down. In the match against Whitchurch, Elgan played like a true Brigand by getting a Golden Duck but then taking a spectacular catch to help clinch a last ball win. Elgan Alderman in action at Broadhalfpenny Down, and the commemorative scorecard featuring his exploits on the anniversary in June 2022. Photographs by Dave Vokes.

After a summer of absorbing Ashes series tests for both the men’s and the women’s teams it seems that the classic sporting rivalry between England and Australia is continuing with the women’s World Cup football. On Broadhalfpenny Down last weekend the annual visit of the Australian High Commission CC resulted in a win for the Brigands. Not too much hype about “Bazball” in that match but the Down has it’s own piece of history and an Australian connection with a well hit six. The date is 10th September 1961 and the Brigands are hosting one of the very first visits of the Lord’s Taverners to Broadhalfpenny Down. The Taverners had the usual mixture of well-known names from the world of entertainment, Harry Secombe of the Goon Show, and professional cricketers, Rahman Subba Row, Dennis Silk and Australian fast bowler Ray Lindwall. Lindwall was the fast and furious opening bowling partner of Keith Miller in the 1948 Australian side captained by Don Bradman which completed their tour without losing a game. Years later, while working in London, Lindwall appeared for the Taverners and in the 1961 match at Broadhalfpenny Down opened the bowling from the beech copse end – downhill with his inimitable smooth approach. Opening the batting for the Brigands were Mike Ainsworth (Worcestershire) and Lieutenant Wally Rothwell of the Royal Australian Navy who was training at HMS Mercury. No slouch Rothwell, who was certainly good enough to have played first class cricket. It was Lindwall’s 8th over – Rothwell on strike – a shortish ball, but still very fast, which stood up nicely to be hammered away over the boundary, over the Bat and Ball car park and into the top of the trees beyond where, it was said, the ball was still going up! Written across the scorebook that day was the inscription “Biggest six ever seen at BHD – and off an Australian Test bowler too!” Lindwall finished with 0 for 68 off 12 overs and made exactly 68 when he batted. Rothwell had made 65 out of 89 when the first wicket fell. “Bazball” – well, certainly a forerunner, as on the day Brigands made 307 for 8 declared and Taverners were all out for 304 and there were 16 sixes! Written by Broadhalfpenny Brigands President, Bryan Burns. If you'd like more from memory lane, please like and comment on this story.

Brigands welcomed the AHC to the Down which is always a special day especially during an Ashes summer. With an earlier than usual start on the cards it was a youthful Brigands team who were asked to bat by the opposition. Jay and Adams quickly put on 27 for the first wicket before the score quickly became 41-4 with Turner and Walker going in the same over. A 63 partnership between Hands and Gray(33) took the score to 116 before Hands(38) and Ali added a further 42 leaving Ali(36*) and Northwood to take the total to 179. The total appeared to be a challenging one with a slow outfield and all the chat over tea was about quick wickets once the annual raffle had been drawn. AHC began well against Brigands opening attack of Wood and Gray who couldn't quite get the breakthrough that was needed. With AHC cruising at 41-0 Gray took 2 in 2 before Wood added a third to leave AHC 53-3 with 2 great catches from Bailey behind the stumps. With AHC 83-3 the game was well poised at drinks but with Gray having bowled his contracted spell he left the field never to return!! The skipper turned to the spin of Ali and was rewarded with 2 wickets in his first over even if one was kicked onto the stumps by the batsman. 95 needed off 19 overs with 5 wickets remaining. Hands bowling from the Wood end saw a catches dropped by Bailey and Ali but was eventually rewarded with catches from Turner and Jay Snr. Ali taking the Beardall spot as the "Burglar" took 2 more wickets leaving Hands to finished to game off but when the ball was hit back to him he failed to take the catch. Had Hands dropped the Ashes?? With some clever field movement from Turner, Ali bowled and the ball went airborne to Hands who held on this time to claim the victory. A great day on the Down against decent opposition who enjoyed their day but more importantly enjoyed the beer after the game.

24 games into the season, and it's 8 games rained off, 9 wins for Brigands, 6 losses, and one draw.

Congratulations to Harry Bates on his recent recognition from Hampshire Cricket Board

An iconic image of this Summer was seeing Ben Stokes in his bucket hat at Old Trafford lamenting the rain as England's flawless performance yielded only a draw. And so it was too at Broadhalfpenny Down; superb Brigands bowling and fielding and the mighty Sussex Martlets bowled out for 98, wickets shared, no dropped catches, and a team performance of note; Ali bowled spin through pain and Wood bowled uphill on Captain's orders. Martlets are mythical birds with feathers for feet "so always on the move" and their batters were on the move from, and back to, the pavilion every few overs; only the last wicket added substantive runs. Despite a small target, there was a sense of trepidation at tea and both Dave Turner (batting at 3) and The Right Honorable Lord Justice Dingemans KC (batting at 4) had their pads on before the openers (Ewan Lovett-Turner washing up and Guy Ladenburg chatting to the spectators). With straight bats and quick singles, Lovett Turner and Ladenburgh took Brigands to 43-0 and cruising to victory until a ten-minute downpour came from the Hambledon Valley and soaked the square. In the same match last Season, the outfield was brown and the pitch was hard, now they were both verdant and soft. The Umpires declared the ground too wet and unsafe to play; as Cardus observed, "the elements are cricket's presiding geniuses". Brigands 43-0 v Sussex Martlets 98 all out Ladenburg 21* and Lovett-Tunrer 19*, Ladenburg 3-16, Beardall 2-22, Hands 2-19 And Brigands v Martlets in the heatwave of 2022 ...

The tourists from Amsterdam arrived for their first visit to the Cradle of Cricket deprived of tour matches thanks to the wind and weather; door wind en weer gaan. VRA batted first and were greeted by the youngest Brigands side of the year (average age under 35) and openers Lee Gray and Ed Walker who made use of the conditions to get early inroads. Neil Wood then got two in two balls and fourteen-year-old Jemima Bowman playing her first match at Broadhalfpenny Down in 2023 bowled beautifully picking up two wickets as well. It was 45-6 and the tourists looked beaten. But the Dutch, known for their resilience ever since Peter stuck his finger in the dike, waited for the slow bowlers before counter-attacking; the last four batters added a hundred to reach 148-9 off 38 overs. "Het regent pijpenstelen"; it's raining pipes they said, so the covers went on, and the declaration followed. After a long tea interval, a break in the wet weather meant the Dutch had their chance to bowl on a mijnenveld. In the first over Gerry Northwood was caught in the slips, then shortly afterward Adam Jay and Ed Walker both had their middle stumps removed from ones that kept low, and then Zeb Jay was caught behind for a golden duck. Dave Henderson showed some resistance, including a six out of the ground into the Bat and Ball pub, before a pea-roller hit the base of his off stump was hit. Unlike England's Test XI, Brigands are not a chasing team and were behind the run rate from the first over; they couldn't accelerate and inevitably fell 28 runs short in an innings that featured five ducks. Tour bucket hat prizes were awarded to the player of the match, Jemima Bowman, and a Brigands mini bat was presented to the friendly Dutch team as they made their way to their end-of-tour dinner. VRA 148-9 declared beat Brigands 120 all out by 28 runs