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At 2.44pm on the final day of the unforgettable Ashes summer of 2005, Kevin Pietersen and Ashley Giles came together with the urn on the line. Against express pace, sharp spin and suffocating fields, they fought through an hour that Pietersen would later describe as the most intense, and the most fun, of his career. At Broadhalfpenny Down this weekend, Dave Henderson and Mike Beardall found themselves in a similar position. With 8 wickets down and 10 overs still to survive against the relentless attack of Butterflies CC, they were tasked with preserving Brigands pride. By then, the conditions were loaded in the visitors’ favour. The late-summer wicket was dry and cracked, the ball leaping unpredictably from a length as the sun began to sink. The umpires were turning down enthusiastic appeals that rained in for every half-chance. Earlier, the Butterflies had paced their innings with precision; 30 for 2 after ten overs, 100 for 3 at the 20-over mark, before accelerating towards a commanding declaration. Beardall had claimed the first three wickets with flight and spin, but his efforts merely brought Robbie Ceiriog-Hughes to the crease. The elegant left-hander peppered the skies with chances, though Brigands’ creaking fielders; hampered by age, injury, and the unfamiliar sight of Adam Jay crouching behind the stumps. Richie Hay bowled an economical spell and Lee Gray picked up 3 wickets with a mix of seam and spin, but from 198 for 7 the Butterflies surged to 229 for 7 declared in the blink of an eye, a total that even the most seasoned chasing side would have found daunting on that pitch. Brigands’ response began in disarray. A calamitous mix-up left Jim Morris run out without scoring, while Mark Flewitt lost his off stump, Jay feathered an edge, and Paul Whittle was caught (off the leading edge) in the slips. It seemed only a matter of time before the Butterflies wrapped things up. But Henderson dug deep. With a straight bat and calm presence, he stayed out in the middle for 32 overs, scoring 74 not out, including 16 boundaries of which all but 2 were through the off-side. Wickets continued to tumble around him, but a gritty stand of 58 with Steve Blackburn took the score from 62-7 to 120-8, bringing Beardall to the crease, and a hard-fought draw. A combined "best of XI" from the day might have included nine Butterflies and two Brigands, but that is the romance of timed cricket. Should the declaration have come earlier? Would more tempting bowlers in the middle-overs have been more profitable? Risk and reward at play at the cradle of cricket. Butterflies 229-8 drew with Brigands 142-8 Photo credits Paul Whittle, Adam Jay & Kris Newton

On a sun-drenched Broadhalfpenny Down, Hambledon Cricket Club made a journey of two and a half miles, and two and a half centuries back in time. The Brigands, winning the toss, invited Hambledon to toil in the heat. Dave Henderson and Rupert Preece laid a steady platform with a fifty stand before Tom Cameron, a lanky Brisbane-born all-rounder, added an elegant 13. At 107 for 6, the innings threatened to wilt, only for Jake Peach and Guy Ladenburg to wrest momentum with a partnership of 110 from just 11 overs in 38 minutes. Their efforts carried the Brigands to a spirited declaration at 229 for eight from 47.5 overs (at 4.20pm), Hambledon’s bowlers rattling through their overs with commendable pace. A lot was going on behind the scenes. Neil Wood was deployed to fix the clock, Mike Beardhall was stocking up the pavilion cricket library, and the Northwoods served up delicious sandwiches, a splendid Apple and Cinnamon cake, and the freezer was raided for Cornettos. Stacked with youthful talent from their first and second teams, Hambledon began the chase briskly, scoring at a run a ball. Both openers were out bowled, yet at 68 for 2 after 13 overs, the contest was evenly poised. Ladenburg removed Mark Butcher, but then the young Lewis brothers rebuilt patiently, finding gaps and rotating strike against Beardall’s flighted spin downhill and Rafi Abdeen’s leg-breaks uphill. At drinks, Hambledon required under 100 with seven wickets intact – clear favourites. Abdeen’s sharp caught-and-bowled sparked life for the Brigands, but Cameron’s short-pitched experiment was punished for 20 in 2 overs, restoring Hambledon’s control. The game’s complexion shifted once more when Wood’s second spell brought two breakthroughs (one involved a running-diving catch from Rupert Preece) and Peach snaring Elliot Lewis with a rare “stumped Turner, bowled Peach”; scorer Peter Danks savoured the entry. With just 36 needed from 7 overs and 3 wickets in hand, Hambledon curiously shut shop, settling for the draw and finishing on 206 for 7 from 45 overs. When the teams walked off, it was a satisfied Brigands side who had big smiles, warm hearts, and were enjoying their refreshing beer at the Bat & Ball. Brigands 229-8 declared drew with Hambledon 206-7, in an afternoon game with a record 92.5 overs bowled

On this day in 1756, Rover the dog was lost during a cricket match at Broadhalfpenny Down, and a reward was offered for his recovery—the advertisement placed in the Reading Mercury newspaper by the Reverend Richard Keats of Chalton. Today, walkers often bring their best friends to watch a cricket match, enjoy a drink, and take in the views of the Hambledon valley.

Like fine wine and vintage port, Brigands have selected a well-aged beautiful squad for the forthcoming tour to Porto. Mike Beardall; A spin bowling stalwart, with some nice batting partnerships, who is set to make a strong contribution on tour. With the Brigands since 1992, a previous Royal Naval Cricket Club chairman and Life Member of the MCC, this is a fitting end to a fun season of successes and failures - treating those two impostors just the same, before heading even further afield as one of the 'Brigands representatives' at the forthcoming Ashes Down Under. He's keeping his eye on both line and length just in case he's asked to step up whilst there. Ever hopeful and a top teamie, his motto is "it's the cricket that always wins". Steve Blackburn; The Swiss-Army knife of the Brigands, who can turn his hand to whatever is required for the cause. An attacking batter, a dangerous slow bowler, a lovely smile, good energy, a deep-sea diver, a fair Umpire, and an assistant groundsman too. Danny Dawson; Mainly a bowler who also enjoys batting, Danny gave up the ‘battle’ of league cricket 4 years ago to enjoy more ‘jazz hat’. Mainly play for Stragglers of Asia, South Oxford Amateurs, and Ibiza CC. He bowls straight and appeals convincingly, so he should be an asset.   Tom Ellis; A criminologist and the last remaining academic from Portsmouth University in the Portsmouth Academics. A late promotion to upper tail-end batting this season has been enjoyable, interspersed with bewitching loopy bowling when required. Has played cricket in Ireland and Belgium and as a speaker of seven languages and a fan of travel, wine, port, and cricket, he is looking forward to cricket in a fabulous location and meeting kindred spirits. Mark Flewitt; A former all-rounder until his knees expressed negative opinions about bowling. Now an elegant batter, Mark is multi-lingual, green-fingered, and recently drove aid to Ukraine on a charity mission. Mark has been a Brigand for over 15 years but can claim no Royal Navy connections, other than a retired Commodore as a neighbour, and an ex-Royal Marine as a Godfather. Mark’s cricketing geography includes England, Wales, Germany, Holland, France and Argentina, and he is excited at adding Portugal to the list. Dave Henderson; A cricket badger, Portugal marks the thirteenth country he will have played in. Dave's last weekend tour was in Belgium, where he Captained two successive tied matches in a weekend, and earlier this season he played (and got concussed) in the Rhino Cup in Kenya. Having retired from League cricket seven years ago, he fell into the Brigands and enjoys aiming for the Bat & Ball pub whenever he is at the crease. Dougie Henderson; The youngest member, and fastest runner, of the touring Brigands, he is a hockey-playing mercurial batter who will need to mind the windows of the beautiful Oporto clubhouse if he gets going. If. Known for his witty banter from the boundary, he his looking forward to his first Port tasting, but under strict instruction to keep an eye on Dad. Jim Morris; Once a Royal Marine, Jim returned to cricket at the Brigands in recent years in the pursuit of camaraderie and to bowl leg spin again. The former has been considerably more successful than the latter. He is looking forward to both the cultural aspects of the tour and how the Porto weather will affect the flight and the turn of a cricket ball if it lands! Gerry Northwood; There is a vague and enduring memory of watching a bat be cut down for a three-year-old boy; he considers himself "extraordinarily lucky to become a left-handed batter and to be introduced to the finest ball game ever invented". Across the next 60 years, he has had the privilege to play, with mixed results, cricket on four continents, and had the joy of playing with fellow cricket travellers on many a beautiful ground in England, including at the “cradle of the game” on Broadhalfpenny Down. Rupert Preece; A well-coached batter whose technique has for years masked a distinct lack of natural talent and has now passed the point where experience overcomes capability. Speed between the wickets is frequently overestimated by teammates. Currently participating in pre-tour heat and rehydration training while reading Lara’s biography, in his minds eye, there is a big innings still to be played. Hope springs eternal! Dave Turner; All round impact, like Ian Botham or Ben Stokes, is what Dave brings to the Brigands. He is handy with both edges of the bat, deceptive with the ball, static behind the stumps, and unabating with his banter. It will be interesting to see if he can perform without his family fan club that attends most Brigands matches. A huge asset to the touring party. Paul Whittle ; A left-hand batter who once scored over 1,000 runs in a Surrey League season. For the last two decades has been leading the averages at Fareham, Paul also plays for Brigands, Portsmouth Academics, Forty (XL) Club, Further Friars, and Hampshire Hogs. A regular cricket traveller, he has played in Malta, Dubai, and Rwanda. Known for his signature “paddle” shots square and behind the wicket, Paul is a qualified umpire, so it's advisable not to question the judgements of the councillor magistrate! Neil Wood;  Woody was introduced to the Brigands in 2015 and the club has been on the up ever since. Nellie has more nicknames than he has runs and can be found most Sundays with a double-figure batting number. A founder member of the Brigands All Rounders Club, Woodster can often be found in All Rounders Corner reminiscing with like-minded All Rounders. Like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, the Wood End at Broadhalfpenny Down is named after a crowd favourite. Caroline Beardall (Scorer); Always trust the numbers is her motto. Diligently following the game on Broadhalfpenny Down or at Lord’s all will be fine unless you forget to provide her with the bowlers name, offer useful advice (such as why is the man in the white coat waving at you), or offer her a glass of champagne (or worse don't offer her a glass of champagne). Caroline is looking forward to helping England recover the Ashes Down Under. Graham Peach (Man About Tour); The only bloke among a bevvy of glamorous female supporters, Graham counts his blessings. Twenty plus years a Brigand, his best shots are now played in his head from beyond the boundary rope! He was a Brigands co-captain, a middle-order batter with more ducks than tons, bowled tripe off-spin which yielded 260 wickets. His greatest claim is siring 3 talented Brigand sons! He is grateful to be alive and proud to represent the Peach clan on tour. Brigands, flying the flag for the UK Tour Details Friday lunchtime: Optional fielding practice, or orientation in Porto Friday afternoon: Port tasting at a famous Port House Friday evening: Team tactics and wholesome meal in Porto. Curfew and early to bed for all players under the age of 30. Saturday: First Test, 11am start, Astroturf wicket so no-spikes Saturday evening: Presentation dinner at Oporto Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club, with inquest as to what went wrong Sunday: Second Test, 11am start, Astroturf wicket so no-spikes Sunday evening: An informal supper, with details to be confirmed depending on injuries, morale, and who is still talking to each other. Monday am: Some Brigands depart, some stay on to enjoy Portugal The dinner on Saturday will include short presentations. A shirt and Brigands tie are preferred; jacket is optional. All touring groups are honorary members of the OCLTC for their visit. Please use the Brigands Porto 2025 WWhatsApp group for updates. Paul Whittle (tour): whittlepw@gmail.com +44 7973 688580 Dave Henderson (cricket): davidhendersonuk@hotmail.com +44 7739 594452 Oporto Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club Rua do Campo Alegre 532, 4050-170 Porto, Portugal Phone: +351 22 605 2720 https://www.oportocricketclub.com/ Party Hotel : HF Tuela Porto Rua Arquitecto Marques Da Silva, 200, Massarelos, 4150-483 Porto, Portugal Phone: +351 22 619 4105

Representing Australia in the UK since 1918, the High Commission plays a central role in diplomacy, trade, culture and sport; cricket being an important thread in the Commonwealth tapestry. Its London base, Australia House on the Strand, is the oldest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in Britain and doubled as Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the Harry Potter films. At Broadhalfpenny Down, the High Commission’s side has become a fixture in fostering Anglo-Australian camaraderie on the field as well as off it. On a perfect August afternoon, 25°C, blue skies and the gentlest breeze, captain Mike Beardall won the toss and chose to bowl. Openers Neil Wood and Ed Hands adopted a sporting approach, testing the leg-side wide law more than the batsmen’s defences. But their replacements, Beardall and Guy Ladenburg, struck three times in 10 balls to leave the visitors 60-3 at drinks. The Australians rebuilt sensibly, reaching 150-4 after 30 overs before John Friend unleashed a late assault, lifting them to 235 from 42 overs. Jake Peach, Rafi Abdeen and Rory Morris claimed wickets, while Dave Turner kept wicket bravely against uneven bounce. Fielding was spirited, if occasionally flawed – Jim Morris' first-over drop set the tone. After a "Hands-made" tea, Gerry Northwood and Peach put on 98 for the second wicket, setting up a chase of 236. But the middle order faltered against the visitors’ “low and slow” tactics. Abdeen’s late cameo – 16 in an over – briefly threatened before his dismissal in the penultimate over. With nine balls left, the Brigands needed survival. Beardall and Wood, long-serving Brigands stalwarts, saw off the danger to secure a hard-earned draw, despite the Aussies’ inventive attempt to squeeze in an extra delivery. It was an idyllic day at the Down, played in fine spirit, and the fixture looks set to remain a highlight of the Brigands’ summer calendar. Aussie House 235-8 declared drew with Brigands 192-9 Match report by Ed Hands, with additional Harry Potter research by Dave Henderson. Photo credits Ed Hands and Dave Turner.

Geoff Boycott once said a batting side should always “add two wickets to that score” to gauge how well they’re really doing. He might have done better to suggest three. The Brigands looked in complete control early on, cruising at 30 without loss after seven overs. Gerry Northwood and Guy Ladenburg were striking the ball cleanly, seemingly untroubled by the damp pitch and overcast skies that were causing both swing through the air and seam movement off the deck. But then came a dramatic over from Mike Murray; everything changed. Northwood was struck on the pad in front of middle stump and given out after a slow, deliberate raise of the finger from umpire Nick Harris. Two balls later, Ladenburg edged one to a stunning catch at first slip. Off the very last delivery of the over, newcomer Rob Manson was bowled - middle stump knocked back. From 30-0, Brigands had slumped to 31-3. The tousle-haired Ed Hands, delayed by A3 road closures (who knew?), had missed his chance to open. He arrived late, went in at number five, faced nine dot balls, and ran two singles before being caught behind. There were whispers that it might have been the bat hitting the ground. Regardless, it was 50-4. Dave Turner and Dave Henderson, sharing the same bat sponsor and a gritty determination, were now at the crease. Turner looked nervous, repeatedly playing back and missing balls that kept low. A fielder, bemused at Turner’s struggles, called out: “Haven’t you ever played here before?” But the pair built momentum. Most of their runs came from grounded strokes - singles and twos - but they kept the scoreboard ticking at around seven an over. With spin operating at both ends and the ball turning prodigiously, several deliveries pitched outside leg and missed off, and vice versa. It was tricky batting. Yet they brought up a century partnership. A celebratory fist bump marked the milestone, but soon after, Turner (62) was run out coming back for a second as Brigands looked to accelerate. Joe Kooner-Evans (38) took an over or two to settle, giving strike to Henderson (94), who produced a flurry of late cuts and two big sixes - first off O’Mera, then off Goode - one of which smashed a tile on the roof of the famous Bat & Ball pub. Brigands declared on 235-8 after just 42 overs. The players then enjoyed a classic cricket tea, complete with birthday cake and a round of singing for Paul Whittle and Northwood. The Sussex Martlets opened with a powerful top order stacked with talented young batters who came out swinging. Alex Good led the way, striking through the line with ease on his way to a run-a-ball half-century. But Broadhalfpenny Down has a way of levelling things. Kooner-Evans took a sharp catch at cover. Henderson, fielding on the long-on boundary, set a trap. Beardall took a rare slip catch. Hands bowled a wholehearted 10-over spell, finishing with 1-33, supported by Ladenburg’s 2-13 and Wood’s 2-28. Once Goode was trapped LBW by a ball that skidded from Manson, the Martlets’ chase stalled. They began to dig in for a draw as the Brigands crowded the bat. Then came a mesmeric three-over spell from ex-Marine Jim Morris, bowling like the mythical martlet - a bird said never to land. The batters couldn’t read him. One spooned a catch to Northwood at square leg; another holed out to Hands, who had positioned himself 20 yards in from the mid-wicket rope. Fittingly, Kooner-Evans claimed the final wicket. And then it was beers and flapjacks in the pub - and an apology to the landlady for the broken roof tile. The Toss, Brigands choose to bat first on a damp pitch Henderson's fingerprints were all over tile-gate in Hambledon Brigands 235-8 declared beat Sussex Martlets 131 all out by 104 runs

The Stragglers of Asia, who mark their centenary in 2025, do not measure success in silverware. Like the Brigands, they value the memories and friendships gained from playing timed-cricket, but the Stragglers fixture list is more international and exotic. The club was forged in the Simla Hills where a Colonel in the Royal Artillery accepted an invitation from the Maharajah of Patiala to bring a team to a newly-built mountaintop ground. There, cricket met cocktails, with matches punctuated by billiards, hockey, and the legendary “Patiala Peg” – a whisky measure requiring both pinky and index finger. Stragglers elected to bowl first, and with the new ball, overcast conditions, and accurate bowling, runs were hard to come by early on. Mo Ali was wrapped on the pads LBW, then Guy Ladenburg was run out coming back for an ambitious second. Dave Henderson and Charlie Peach dug in, the former blocking his first 14 balls without scoring as the score crept slowly up to 21-2 off 12 overs. Then leg spin came into the attack, and both batters hit over the infield and pounced on anything overpitched. After drinks, in the 23rd over, Peach was stumped and Harry Woolvine mis-timed a mid-wicket pull and was caught at mid-wicket. 77-4. Henderson and Jake Peach know each other's game well, and put on a stand of 95 in just 13 overs, interrupted only by a splendid lunch of coronation chicken and summer pavlova. After lunch, Henderson was judged LBW for 72 off 68 balls off Danny Dawson, and Dave Turner and Lee Gray came and went in quick succession. With a century seemingly inevitable, and the declaration on hold, Peach hit a skier towards the farmer's field and was brilliantly caught by Faris Kaider on the boundary to end the innings. In another act of jug avoidance, Jake Peach out for 96 off 118 balls Brigands come out to defend 247 runs Ed Hands opened the bowling down the hill and, like Steve Harmison in The Ashes, his first ball set the tone with a leg-side wide. He was so off form he took himself off after 2 overs. Stragglers' veteran opening batter Tim Lerwill, 76, is strong on the off-side and he cut and cover drove at will. Conventional fields don’t apply here. He and Harry Everett took the score to 80 in just 14 overs before Lewill was run out. At tea, there were cakes, speeches, and a port toast; a hat tip to the Beardall and Northwood families for such an incredible spread. The game was evenly poised with eight wickets remaining and the run rate required just under 7 runs per over. Rafi Abdeen was introduced to slow the pace of the ball, and “Baby Murali” managed to get the ball to turn and induced a catch to Henderson at long on. Another run out in the next over, Mike Beardhall took a wicket with a Woolvine catch at mid-wicket, and then a smart stumping from Charlie Peach of Abdeen. Six wickets down, the Stragglers decided to drop anchor and play for a draw, so the Brigand's got into an on-pitch huddle to talk tactics. Ali came on, bowled slowly, and the ball spun immediately. Ladenburg too took the pace off. Wickets fell steadily and it was down to the last pair, Kabir Haider and Danny Dawson, to survive 6 overs. There were a few near misses, and the tension was evident as Haider prodded the pitch between balls. "More gardening than Monty Don" was heard. Then a Haider defensive shot bounced backwards and glanced the off stump, and dislodged the bail. Brigands victors by 90 runs, an early enough finish to watch the Lionesses triumph in a penalty shoot-out against Spain in the Final of Euro 2025, and early enough to enjoy the company of two teams who live and breathe the spirit of cricket. Stragglers started well and were on target until Harry Everett was out Changing room team talk, Gerry Northwood mowing the outfield, The Toss, The Centenary Coin, Huddle-cam. The Bat & Ball Brigands 247-9 declared beat Stragglers of Asia 157 all out by 90 runs

A day for the Life Vice Presidents to meet, and for a mid-week low-scoring match at the cradle of cricket. Brigands 138-9 declared drew with Whitchurch 133-8. Gerry Northwood 34, and Rafi Abdeen 29 top scored, and Jon Dennis took 5-17, for the Brigands. Brigands v Whitchurch, 2025 Picture credits Nick Harris, Gerry Northwood and Kris Newton

On the 250th anniversary of John Small’s first hundred in first-class cricket, achieved at Broadhalfpenny Down, it was fitting that a three-figure score was recorded in the match against the alumni of St Andrews University. Unfortunately for the Brigands it was scored by the Seagullians' opening batter on a day when the extreme heat, short boundary, and parched outfield got the better of the home team. The customary byes and dropped catches were compounded by a late arrival and then a pulled calf muscle that forced the Captain, Ewan Lovett-Turner, off the field and substituted by his talented teenage daughter, Martha. The runs came thick and fast; the hundred came up in the fifteenth over, the two hundred in the twenty-eighth over, and a sporting declaration came after 32 overs at 252-2 (the highest score of the season). Liam Shrehorn bowled better than his figures of 0-53 off 8 overs whilst Neil Wood was flattered by his figures of 1-47 off 7 overs. Mike Beardall leaked 65 runs and the only positive from the below-par Dave Henderson dropping a catch and conceding 22 runs in 1 over was that it brought forward the declaration. Even with fielders on the boundary, Seagullians scored at more than 8 runs per over After tea, Brigands front-loaded the batting order; Guy Ladenburg and Adam Jay opened and took the score, effortlessly, to 36. But in the blink of an eye, Ladenburg (23) was bowled middle stump, then we lost Adam and his son, Zeb Jay, in the same over. Dougie Henderson (31) and Dave Turner (52) came together in a partnership of 80 runs scored quickly; both hit the ball over the top of the infield and were prepared to take risks. For the first time in living memory, there was a “7” recorded in the scorebook when 4 overthrows were added to 3 runs hit to long-on. The pitch side barbecue was fired up, and Seagullians rotated their bowlers as Brigands chased down 135 from the last 20 overs. Turner raised his lovely new bat to celebrate his half-century, and there were emotional tears and loud applause from his family around The Monument. At last. Meanwhile, Liam Shrehorn was going well and hit six boundaries and ran on every ball as the run rate came down, but he was losing batting partners. It was 16 runs to win from 12 balls with 2 wickets in hand. A swipe, a miss hit, some quick singles, and then a caught and bowled as Wood trudged back to the pavilion after a useful 17. With Shrehorn on strike and 10 needed from the last over all results were possible; two singles scampered from the first two balls, a two, a dot ball, and then Shrehorn was caught by the wicketkeeper on 48, which meant substitute Richie Hay came in, last man, with four runs needed to tie. Hay, an unlikely hero sporting a white wide-brimmed floppy hat, drove the last ball for a single, and the match was drawn. The players retired for a cold shower and a hot dog or two, and reflected on how timed cricket can throw up an enjoyable, and close, 500-run match despite the gulf in talent between the two teams. More of the same next year please. Brigands & Old Seagullians, 2025 Seagullians 253-2 declared drew with Brigands 250-9 Watch a 90-second match highlights video here With thanks to Kris Newton for additional photographs

Thank you to everyone who has supported our crowdfunding campaign to restore Broadhalfpenny Down to its former glory. This season, we have raised over £8,300 from donations on the crowdfunding site, can claim back another £1,800 in Gift Aid, and Fuller's have made an additional donation in appreciation of the temporary parking arrangements at the Bat & Ball in June. Equally important as the funds raised, we have raised awareness about the ground and met with new supporters; in no particular order, here is a small sample ... Sheridan Bailey was riding past the ground on a tractor and decided to fund the boundary rope Paul Woolf from Portsmouth Cricket Club gave a generous donation in the first week to get things going Jenny Harris gave a lovely donation on her return from holiday Ray Mead is a great supporter who wanted a souvenir stump from the ground Paul Whittle, a man for all seasons, picked up Charlotte Edwards' England shirt as a reward for his donation Haymakers Cricket Club donated and want to play their 100th fixture at the ground in 2027 Simon Arnold enjoys his photography on the ground and contributed Jason Dana donated from Connecticut, USA, and conceded that cricket is a better sport than baseball Graham Peach became our first life member, extending his family's connection with the ground. ... and there are many others. Thank you again, we won't be doing this again for a long time, and we will update with details of where we have invested the money later this year.

Nestled in the Hampshire countryside, the village of Steep is home to The Cricketers Inn, a pub with deep cricketing roots. It was founded in the mid-19th century by Henry Ifould, a young entrepreneur who turned his passion for brewing into a business, supplying ale to spectators and players during cricket matches hosted by the Hawker family. For a mid-week twenty-over thrash, Steep brought a youthful side to Broadhalfpenny Down, decked out in green and black and armed with a pink ball that offered swing and extra bounce under sunny skies. Adam Jay getting ready for the first ball Batting first, Brigands found the going tough. The pink ball proved lively, and wickets fell early. Adam Jay miscued an on-drive to mid-on, Paul Whittle was caught at gully, and three more batters were clean bowled in quick succession. At 60 for 6, the home side looked in disarray. But Dave Henderson and Rupert Preece staged a revival. With intelligent placement and grounded strokes, they doubled the score. Henderson survived a stumping off a free hit, while Preece struck six fours and a towering six to lift the innings. Robbie James added a composed 17 before being involved in a mix-up that saw last man Richie Hay run out. Extras top-scored as Brigands scrambled to 164 all out. Hay and Wood opened the bowling, facing the challenge of defending a short leg-side boundary. Wood struck twice with full, swinging deliveries, but anything short was punished. Four sixes were launched into the Bat & Ball garden and even the car park. Spin twins James and Henderson bowled uphill and applied pressure, keeping the required rate above eight an over. At the halfway mark, Steep still needed 90. That came down to 50 off the final five. Zeb Jay took a superb low catch at midwicket, just in front of the monument. With 16 runs scored in the 19th over, Steep edged ahead. Needing just three off the last, Forster chipped a loose ball to Liam Shrehorn, who held his nerve with the catch. One wicket remained. Henderson bowled a short ball which was struck straight by Harrison. Shrehorn sprinted from mid-off and launched into a dive, just missing what would have been a stunning match-winner for the Brigands. As the sun dipped behind the Hambledon hills, players gathered for a well-earned pint and reflected on a match that went to the wire. Brigands, defeated on the penultimate ball, for the second time in four days. You can either arrive at the game in your whites, or in your crocs

There is a lot that can change in the lead-up to a cricket match. A fixture is arranged in the Winter, confirmed in the Spring, and has players and officials selected in the Summer. And then there are late withdrawals and the match is between a team of 10 from London against a home team starting with 9 men. The toss was delayed whilst the Saints Captain finished his pint at the pub, and Brigands were put into bat. Brigands opener, Jake Peach, was unable to access his pads and gloves from his locked car boot with the alarm going off, so he had to move down the order. Rupert Preece (46) is enjoying a purple patch with the bat and he put on 75 elegant runs with Mark Flewitt (30), seizing on anything down the legside and being prepared to hit over the top of the infield. With the Captain going through his phone contacts to find a tenth player, the Manson family arrived to watch (friends of Steve Blackburn) and, on being introduced to the Captain, Rob Manson uttered the casual phrase "I bowl and bat a bit". His wonderful wife, Jess, gave him permission to play "for an hour or so" and he borrowed some whites, found some old kit and batted at number 3. Broadhalfpenny Down then witnessed a village cricket scene of an occasional bowler wearing black trainers bowling to an occasional batter who didn't know he was playing until a few minutes before, wearing borrowed kit, even blacker trainers, and wielding a bat that had string but no rubber on the grip. Village cricket; black trainers to black trainers, a bat with a strong only handle, and byes down the legside Mason went for 5 off 20 balls, Paul Whittle 7 off 11 and then Liam Shrehorn arrived at the crease. He had earlier put up the safety net as part of the grounds team and was keen to make his first big score for the Brigands. He hit a skier to deep square leg and was dropped, then repeated the shot on the next ball to be caught off a no-ball, and was then bowled the ball after. Dave Henderson (19) and Jake Peach (55) came together and put on 28 in 5 overs to get the innings going again and get the total beyond 200. It was probably the best tea of the season so far. Four varieties of sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, moist and citrusy lemon drizzle cakes with tiny bits of crunchy sugar, a Victoria Sponge fit for a royal banquet, and scones for the ages. In reply, Saints were positive hitting boundaries in 6 of the first 8 overs. When Sam Sargant pitched the ball up he looked dangerous and, when he didn't, he got hit to the short legside boundary next to the Bat & Ball. He bowled one of the Saints openers and could have had the other caught at short cover had Whittle tried to catch it with his hands rather than his feet. The Brigands bowling was erratic, wides and no-balls crept in, and Shrehorn went for 19 runs from 4 overs. Pace was taken off the ball with flighty Steve Blackburn conceding just 10 runs from his 3 overs and loopy Henderson picking up a wicket in his 2 overs. Kieran Prior, on debut, had responded to the call for players and picked up a wicket too, and it was anyones game with a run a ball needed off the last 20 overs. Lee Gray bowled some overs pace, and some overs spin, but didn't match his "best bowler in Hampshire" reputation, as Ed Marsh for the Saints punished anything over-pitched. It was 40 runs needed from 5 overs with 3 wickets in hand and, in a calculated risk, the field came in to encourage the batters to play shots. The batters did, and the ball eluded fielders as the target became 21 off 3, then 17 off 2, and then 7 from the final over. Saints held their nerve and hit the winning runs with a flick to the legside. In the Bat & Ball afterwards, there was talk of karaoke songs, Paul Whittle's wagon wheel, the lack of a world-class spin bowler in England's cricket team, and how all close games of cricket are good games. The victorious Saints Brigands 201-8 declared lost to Saints 202-8 by 2 wickets in the final over

A Centenary Border garden was created for the 100th anniversary of Hillier Nurseries in 1964 stocked with holly and yew trees, a variety of shrubs, and planted with a central grass pathway. Granite markers were laid every 22 yards in a nod to the length of a cricket pitch and the Hillier family’s passion for the game, and three Hilliers featured in the Rioteers team for their annual match against the Brigands on a hot day well suited to agave and cactus plants. Hillier’s is not the only plant nursery with a famous association with cricket. In 1887, the MCC bought the three-and-a-half-acre site of Henderson's Nursery, colloquially known as “Pine Apples” where the best tulips and pineapples in England were grown. Rioteers batted first with Brigands' Guy Ladenburg getting turn-and-bounce up the hill and Liam Shrehorn bowling fast-and-straight down it. Ladenburg's first 4 overs went for just 10 runs, and Shrehorn picked up a couple of wickets LBW from balls that wobbled as the batters shuffled across the stumps. As the bowlers wilted in 30-degree heat, Extras became top scorer with 14 byes and 14 wides down the leg side, so a back-stop was allocated (as was commonplace in the eighteenth-century matches played at Broadhalfpenny Down). The “perrenials” were in support; the Harris and Bates family on deckchairs in the shade by The Monument, and the Turners on their picnic blankets and with the young girls playing with water sprays and wearing matching dresses in the sunshine by the Bat & Ball. Neil Wood came on to bowl but looked below his usual best. Good Captains, like good horse racing trainers, know how to get the best out of the thoroughbred and with a change of line and better protection on the offside, Wood picked up three wickets in his next 12 balls as Rioteers moved to 104-5 at drinks. Some big hits from Bertie and Martin Hillier at the end of the innings got the score up to a respectable 182 from 36 overs at the tea break. In reply for the Brigands, Shrehorn was bowled first ball, soon followed by Jim Morris to leave Brigands at 17-2. In the gardening world, a flower that blooms unexpectedly is called a “volunteer” and what a surprise it was to see Ruper Preece attack the bowling with sweeps to mid wicket and drives through the covers. With Dave Henderson (60) in a supporting role and rotating the strike, Preece hit ten boundaries on his way to a splendid fifty in the fifteenth over. A brilliant run-out throw from Bertie Hillier saw Preece run out on 63, then Dave Turner (15) was LBW, then Northwood (19) and Ladenburg (0) were both clean bowled. Turner is out and on his way back to the pavilion Northwood is out, but Ladenburg is coming to the rescue 3 wickets in hand, 4 overs left, and 5 runs to win. Debutant John Brehaut was at the crease, a left-hander who bowls and bats a bit like Jack Leach, with Steve Blackburn, a cavalier batter who had earlier in the day mowed the outfield and taken a wicket. Nine dot balls in a row added to the tension, then a single, and then 3 leg byes (it is village cricket after all). Brehaut hit the next ball to point and, after a "no, wait, yes" call, scampered a quick single to take the historical win count to 18 for Brigands and 14 for their old friends, the blooming marvellous Rioteers. Brehaut, on debut, about to hit the winning run Rioteers 182-8 declared, lost to Brigands 183-7 by 3 wickets

Brigands won the toss, batted first, and fell to 74-7 and then recovered to 168 all out. It was a blustery day and sight screens were taking the full force. The Windsor Great Park opener (Alex) carried his bat (and his team) scoring 120 not out in the chase, as the visitors one with just 3 wickets to spare. Liam Shrehorn had earlier taken 4 wickets was awarded his Brigands Cap - he bats well, bowls better, and plays the game in the right spirit. Brigands 168 all out lost to Windsor Great Park CC 169-7 by wickets

Few cricketers have left as vivid a mark on the game as Jack Russell — not only with gloves and bat, but with brush and palette. Known for his unorthodox stance, dogged defiance at the crease, and lightning-fast reflexes behind the stumps, Russell scored over 10,000 first-class runs and took more than 1,200 dismissals in a career that spanned two decades. Yet his second innings as an artist has given cricket an even richer legacy. One of his most evocative subjects is Broadhalfpenny Down — the cradle of cricket. The home of the legendary Hambledon Club, which dominated the game in the 18th century, Broadhalfpenny remains a hallowed patch of Hampshire turf where the spirit of the game whispers through the grass. Russell has painted the ground three times, each canvas a love letter to cricket’s soul. The first, a nostalgic piece, captures the old Hut that stood before the new pavilion was built — a quiet testament to simpler times and the rustic charm of village cricket. The Hutt and The Bat & Ball, Broadhalfpenny Down by Jack Russell The second, painted during the 250th anniversary match, brims with celebration and reverence. Jack was there in person that day, looked after with warm hospitality by Nina Bates, whose efforts ensured the former England wicketkeeper had every comfort as he set up his easel. Russell sent a message of love and support as soon as he saw "The Final Cut, the film that tells the story of Nina, and her husband Harry, in their last season in charge of the ground. 250th Anniversary of First Class Cricket Match by Jack Russell His third painting is arguably the most atmospheric — a view sweeping down toward the Hambledon valley, bathed in golden light, with a village cricket match in full flow. Every blade of grass, every cricketer in mid-stroke or relaxed repose, pulses with life. It’s not just art; it’s storytelling. Towards the Hambledon Valley by Jack Russell Why does Jack Russell paint? "Because I still see the game in pictures," he once said. For him, the rhythm of cricket never stopped — it simply changed mediums. Where once he captured edges behind square, now he captures moments behind the eyes. From a man who protected England’s stumps, now come masterpieces that protect its cricketing heritage. At Broadhalfpenny Down, on canvas and in history, Jack Russell stands eternal. "I still see the game in pictures" – Jack Russell More information at https://jackrussell.co.uk/ The Final Cut is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/@cradleofcricket

Tuesday 23 June 1772 was market day in Hambledon, Hampshire and on that day the first designated first-class match was due to take place in the village at Broadhalfpenny Down. The Hampshire team had two given men in John Edmeads and William Yalden from Chertsey, and the team was captained by Richard Nyren, known as “The General”, the landlord of the Bat and Ball. The team included; John Small generally regarded as the greatest batsman of the 18th century and as such was included in John Woodcock’s “100 Greatest Cricketers of All Time in 1997. He went on to the score the first first-class century in 1775 against Surrey and played his last match in 1798 at the age of 61; Thomas Brett said to be the fastest and straightest bowler of his generation; Tom Sueter who was the team’s wicket-keeper and a proficient left-handed bat; George Leer whose speciality was fielding at long-stop behind the wicket-keeper, especially to the bowling of Thomas Brett; Peter Stewart (also known as “Buck” as he was a natty dresser) was a good batsman, especially on the off side and had a wicked sense of humour; Edward Aburrow a decent batsman and useful change bowler. He played for All-England against Kent in 1744; William Hogsflesh known as a medium pace bowler; William Barber was a fast round-arm bowler with a high delivery and a free hitter. He took over the Bat and Ball, after Richard Nyren, which he ran for twelve years, being also the groundsman on Broadhalfpenny Down. The England team were also allowed a given man from Chertsey, Edward (Lumpy) Stevens. Stevens was recognised as probably the best bowler of his era. In 1775 playing John Small in a single wicket match he beat Small three times with the ball going straight through the stumps. This led to the introduction of a third stump. The match was played for a stake of 500 guineas. There were four balls per over and no extras were recorded. The bowlers and the forms of dismissal were not recorded nor was there any report on the match. Hampshire scored 146 in their first innings, thanks to John Small who made 78, over half the runs. England were all out for 109; their highest individual score being 35 by Thomas White. In their second innings Hampshire scored 79, again mainly due to John Small who made 34. They then got England out for 63, winning by 53 runs. In 2022, we celebrated 250 years of First Class cricket with a special match at Broadhalfpenny Down which was covered on TV by the BBC and ITV, on Radio by Heart, and in the printed media by Wisden, The Times, The Guardian, and the Daily Telegraph. Mike Beardall was interviewed live on Test Match special too.

It is mid-June, and we are nicely into a busy 2025 cricket season. Nine games played out of a total of 21 afternoon games we have in the calendar for this season. And so much more going on to support our cricket. With CASC status achieved in February we have taken full advantage of the Gift Aid relief now available to the club with our “Restore the Cradle of Cricket……” crowdfunder. As I write we have raised £7,415 from 57 supporters and gained £1,710 in gift aid with 20 days to go. The target is £10,000 so a last big push everyone. The good news is that the money we raise is being directly invested in the ground to improve the playing facilities. Before the season started, we were able to improve irrigation to the square, and this is making pitch preparation much easier. As will the purchase of a new Allett electric grass mower which is due to arrive any day now. Work is also in hand to refurbish the outfield, starting with a weed killing dose last week. We have been extremely well supported this season by Mark Smith, the Ground Representative on the Committee, and Peter Tomkins as No1 groundsman. Pete has been ably assisted by volunteer Paul Jackson. Charlotte, following her injury, is back on light duties on the ground and cleaning the pavilion. Dennis Blake is the newest recruit and is a professional groundsman at PGS and will be our No1 groundsman next season. Pete and Paul are due to retire from Ground duties at the end of this season and all being well, the team in 2026 will be Dennis and Charlotte. Strong dedicated ground team or not, we always have room for more volunteer contributions, whether it be outfield mowing or general trimming around the boundary and the pavilion area. Please feel free to put yourselves forward, either through Mark or myself and we will organise any equipment training that might be required. Many of you will have noticed that the interior of the pavilion is now looking a lot smarter having been repainted by Mike Beardall and Paul Whittle before the season started. A big thank you to them for putting in the hard work, and to Bryan Burns for updating the array of club mementos in the Long Room. We are lucky that our games are wonderfully well supported by our “in house” officials. A big thank you Clive and team for continuing to ensure there is a Brigands umpire standing in every game. And the fact that every afternoon game this summer has a scorer allocated speaks volumes for the dedication being shown by our small scorer’s union of Ray, Jim and Caroline.

Their touring card from 1998 sums up the Oundler Ramblers best: "Village cricket played in the finest and noblest tradition, with indomitable spirit, wild exuberance, a bit of ability and a lot of fun." Now in their 35th year—and 20 of those coming up to Broadhalfpenny Down, which they say is the pinnacle of their season—the cricket was indeed fun and played in great spirits on both sides. It started with on-field captain for the day, Lee Gray, swapping from a 50p for the toss to a £2 coin kindly donated by Brigands umpire Pete, which then fell the wrong way for the Brigands. On a very nicely put-together pitch by Dennis and the new grounds team Oundle Ramblers called heads, Brigands lost the toss and were asked to bowl. Pete kindly asked for his £2 back so he could put it towards a pint later at the Bat and Ball. The £2 Toss Oundle Ramblers are quite a young team, made up of relatively spritely and active young men from the school. Brigands boasted an average age of around 40, with debutant Brigand Liam Shrehorn, at 19, bringing that average down considerably. Captain Lee asked fast bowler Sam Sargant to open, and within his first over of pure pace, bowled the Oundle Ramblers opener on the last ball. Next, from the pavilion end, South African Michael Van Schalkwyk—buoyed from the World Test Championship win for the Proteas at Lord’s against the Australians—bowled their number 3. Oundle Ramblers fought back for a while, with the score ticking along nicely and some lovely cover drives, pulls, and cuts into the newly designated overflow car park of the pub—our boundary edge. Debutant Liam bowled quickly and was able to claim his first wicket after ducking to save his life from a rocket sent back past him, only to find the bucket hands of Gray at mid-off. A bruise is definitely inbound from that one. Notoriously, spin and slow bowlers seem to burgle wickets at the Down. It was no different here. Jake Peach and Lee Gray decided that slow off-spin bowling would work. Gray sneaked one through the gate and into leg stump from outside off as an Oundle Rambler decided to charge down the wicket after already smashing him for a big six into Hambledon itself—it’s possibly still travelling. Next, Jake—with the trademark Broadhalfpenny ‘bounce’ and dip—caused the Oundle Ramblers batsmen all kinds of trouble. One left a straight one, the other chopped on. The cries of “It’s a low-ey!” reverberated around the ground from his brother, wicketkeeper Charlie Peach. Peach bowled beautifully, and so did Richie Hay, whose line-and-length bowling round the wicket to the right-handers kept Gray at mid-on appealing for nearly every ball that hit the pads—to the laughter of everyone else. Jake then managed to get the Ramblers’ other opener out with a slower spin ball that the batter decided to try and slog. To Gray, it looked like it was going into the trees; to everyone else, it looked like Gray didn’t see it—no movement whatsoever until, at the very last moment, a 100-yard sprint and a leaping dive saw Gray cling onto the catch. The pub spectators, now clapping, thought they had a preview of the new DC Superman, coming out in cinemas soon. Gray bowled another wicket and then, with a glint in his eye, Brigands’ number one left-arm quick started giving Captain Gray arm-rolling gestures and finger hints for a go at left-arm spin. Gray agreed, but it was still as quick as his fastest pace ball—still slow. Nelly, with his subtle turn and flight, deceived the batters beautifully, snaring the last two wickets. The scoreboard read 130-19, which Nelly wanted to maintain his lead in the bowling leaderboard, but after a recount, it was Oundle Ramblers – 132 all out; J. Peach 3–22, Wood 2–22, Gray 2–27, Liam Shrehorn, Sam Sargant, and Michael Van Schalkwyk – 1 wicket each. Nicely shared and an all-round performance. Oundle all out and time for tea, by Kris Newton The team was taken at 3:50 p.m. Gray asked the umpires if Brigands could bat until 4:30 p.m., but to his delight, Pete decided everyone could take a longer tea. And it was needed, with match manager Steve Blackburn putting on a delightful, plentiful, and filling tea—a joy to the Brigands batting second. Brigands’ openers Northwood and Whittle—two left-handers—were sent in. Gerry started with a hook shot for four, then a drive for another. It looked like Brigands would get the target inside 10 overs the way he was batting. Unfortunately for Whittle, he succumbed to an LBW for a duck. Jim Morris, up the order this week at number three, blocked his way for a few balls and snuck some singles before being bowled off a full toss. The Brigands were sitting nervously at 14–2. Charlie Peach then created a nice partnership with Gerry, both driving, cutting, and making sure the younger Oundle side did some running. A cricket-ball tour of the ground was on show from the partnership at the wicket. Charlie was unfortunately run out after a dropped catch, for a gallant 44. It was left to debutant Liam Shrehorn—who, moments before the run-out, was wearing Lightning McQueen Crocs and had intended to bat in them too, run out to the wicket like a young Joe Root and immediately get off the mark with a single then four from the other end. Gerry retired not out for a beautiful 51, and Nelly—the swashbuckling willow wafter—was sent in to see us home. Three fours later, he did. Brigands were treated to a lovely presentation of an autographed mini cricket bat signed by the entire Oundle Ramblers team, followed by a customary speech from the Ramblers’ chairman thanking Brigands for yet another fantastic game. Gerry returned the compliments and also reminded the Ramblers—sitting all around Nina and Harry, who had come up to visit for the afternoon—that the Brigands have a lovely 20-minute film about Harry, The Final Cut, available to watch on YouTube. He also mentioned the Brigands’ CrowdFunder, so that many more generations can enjoy this beautiful ground. Brigands won by 7 wickets. , match report by Lee Gray. Painting by Kris Newton.

We featured Simon Arnold last time, but the world-class photographer roster is deep at Broadhalfpenny Down. Patrick Edgar, Ryan Pierse, Mark Aspland, and Russell Sachs have all graced us with their presence and generously shared some of their imagery. To add to that impressive list, Paul Jacobs , former Local Newspaper Photographer of the Year, is a regular visitor to the cradle of cricket and lives in the South Downs. He has covered Blind and Visually Impaired games and has had his work with us published in National and Local newspapers. He is a freelance photographer now, who can cover weddings and events, and is also an expert at restoring old photographs. His work is showcased at pictureexclusive.com Welcome to the Brigands family, Paul.

With Brigands, on paper, fielding their strongest batting line-up and the pitch "as flat as a road" skipper Lee Gray decided to bat first. The Invalids had recruited some strong League bowlers and Mark Flewitt (back from driving aid to Ukraine) was out, bowled, in the first over leaving Paul Whittle and Dave Henderson to survive swing and seam at both ends. They rode their luck and contrived to put on 50 for the second wicket before Whittle was bowled (top of off stump) and Henderson was caught behind from a one-handed sweep for 44 (he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword). Brigands were 60-3. Harry Woolvine hit the ball well on his way to 39 but wickets kept falling at the other end, to good bowling and sharp wicket-keeping. 155 all out was never enough on a good pitch and despite wickets for Jacke Peach and Guyt Ladenburg and Mike Beardall, Invalids got home comfortably with 5 wickets in hand. A super tea from Rosie Flewitt and a relative early pint enjoyed at the Bat & Ball.