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Brigands scored 207-8 declared with Guy Ladenburg scoring 80 Not Out on debut. Vagabonds shut up shop at the end and finished on 174-8 when time ran out with Neil Wood talking the first 3 wickets and Jake Peach and Jonas Waktare bagging two each.

It will be no surprise to those who have followed the weather forecasts this past week that the first game of the season against Invalids CC has regrettably been rained off. While Broadhalfpenny Down benefits from a chalk sub-soil that generally quickly drains away rainfall, the volume of rain over night and this morning has left the ground, and in particular the square, very soft and unplayable. Underterred by the weather, Harry Bates and his small team, have been hard at work this week preparing the ground for the new season, including fertilisation of the square and outfield. So, on a positive note, given the blessing of some warm sunny weather, the ground will be in fine fettle for this Summer of cricket.

Lots of interesting teams are visiting the cradle of cricket in the Summer of 2023; we host new teams such as Ashford Hill, The Stage and Hornsingham and overseas visitors such as VRA from Holland and Compton from Hollywood. From camels to crutches and seagulls to butterflies, how many logos can you match to the fixture list?!

Renowned artist and former international cricketer, Jack Russell MBE, is coming to Broadhalfpenny Down to paint the celebration of 250 years of first class cricket at the end of June. Jack said "I'm looking forward to painting what will be a very special occasion. If you are there you may well be captured on canvas forever!" Jack’s cricketing pictures are legendary. He spent over 20 years in the thick of cricketing action for both Gloucestershire and England. Famed for his eccentricities and floppy white sunhat he turned professional the following year and played in 944 matches for Gloucestershire and 94 International matches for England, before retiring in 2004. Self-taught, Jack decided to become a painter as a result of frustration at being stuck inside cricket pavilions when “rain stopped play.” Jack has painted Broadhalfpenny Down in the past but hasn’t visited since the new pavilion was erected. A limited-edition of 250 high-quality prints are now available to purchase for £250 each including delivery (estimated November 2022 and in time for Christmas) with all proceeds going to fund the charitable work of the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust.

As celebrations of 250 years of first class cricket continue, on Saturday 11th June Broadhalfpenny Down hosted Under 15s girls teams from Hampshire, Berkshire and Millfield School in a triangular tournament. It was another opportunity to enjoy the versatility of cricket as a game for everyone and introduce the cradle of cricket to a new generation. Hampshire were the victors, winning both their games. We wish Hampshire girls well in their ECB competition and look forward to welcoming as many visitors as possible to Broadhalfpenny Down, particularly for the anniversary matches on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June. Photos from Hampshire Cricket

The Vagabonds are a cricket club based in Hampshire that, according to one of their principles, "arrange fixtures against known social sides and preferably against weaker opposition so that they may all enjoy good averages". But it was not going to be a good day for the batting averages on a damp day and a sticky wicket; only 2 of the Vagabonds passed 20. Sam Sargant bowled on or outside off stump and Ed Hands got bounce; he grabbed the first wicket, played on. 57-1 soon became 89-6. Neil Wood got the second wicket, with a catch off his own bowling, Mike ‘Blood’ Bath picked up 3 wickets in a marathon 11-over spell. Ladenburg looked the most dangerous and picked up 2 wickets, including a Neil Wood lookalike. Set 110 to win, Brigands started swiftly; the first wicket fell at 27 in the 6th over as Jay lobbed one back to the Vagabond spinner. Ladenburg chased dogs off the square and pulled and drove smartly to 41. It was left to Turner and Henderson to start their season as they finished the last one, with a 50-run partnership to win the match. A hat-tip to Harry, Nina, and Gerry for getting the ground ready and to Andy Reed and his family for setting a high bar for Match Management. Vagabonds 109 all out, Brigands 110-2 won by 8 wickets

The rain finally came before the penultimate game of the season against a select eleven from Hambledon, Bedales, Old Wykehamists, and guests. A tricky pitch to bat on, Sargant bowled well, and one of those days when the ball stuck in the fielder's hands; Turner in particular took a catch that would otherwise have been a certain six. This was Wood's sort of game; the ball was swinging, Ladenburg missed a straight one and before you knew it he had four wickets from three overs. Only Saben-Clare got stuck in to get the Jay XI up to 86 all out. A tricky opening spell saw Turner out LBW and Henderson having to ride some early luck before the spinners came on and the one-handed six came out. Curtis hit a quick 25 and also retired, but the Jay XI came back with three wickets in four overs. The experience of Mann (16 not out) and Wood (12 not out) saw Brigands home in time for a pub lunch at the Bat and Ball. Brigands 89-6 beat Jay XI 86 all out

We have lovely new stumps at Broadhalfpenny Down, expertly made by Sticky Wicket and generously donated by Lee Gray. They are Broadhalfpenny green in colour, feature the Cradle of Cricket social media handle and the Classic fm logo in recognition of their support. The set includes an off, a leg, and a middle stump at either end. The addition of a middle stump was ratified in the laws at Broadhalfpenny Down in the Eighteenth Century.

As we approach Coronation Weekend, and look forward to welcoming Sons of Bacchus on Sunday 7th, a reminder that His Majesty has also visited our historic cricket ground. It was December 2006 when out of the blue a phone call from Special Branch sent shivers down the spine of our then, Secretary, now President, Bryan Burns. It turned out that a helicopter pad on firm ground was required for a royal visit to the Meon Valley and would Broadhalfpenny be available to park the aircraft for a couple of hours and for the departure of the then Prince of Wales. On the day Bryan and his wife Pam, together with the family Jack Russell, Haggis, opened up the ground and pavilion, put the kettle on for a brew for the aircrew once the helicopter had delivered HRH to his venue and landed on the Down. A couple of hours later HRH arrived with the Lord Lieutenant and recognised Bryan who had served with him in the Royal Navy. A brief chat and a pat on the head for Haggis (the King has his own Jack Russells) and the flight was away in a cloud of leaves. After the pat on the head, Haggis thereafter, answered only to Sir Haggis but he lived to the ripe old age of 16 after his royal preferment.

A summary of this year's Annual General Meeting held at Broadhalfpenny Down. Item 5; Appointments The Royal Navy saying of “the Captain is the Ship and the Ship is the Captain” was used to thank Nick Harris for his 10 years plus service as Club Chairman. New Committee is Gerry Northwood (Chairman), Richie Hay (Hon Secretary), Neil Wood (Hon Treasurer), Harry Bates (Ground Member), Guy Ladenburg (Hon Fixture Secretary), and David Henderson (Ex-Officio). Review of the Club and its relationship with the Charitable Trust to be carried out by Adam Jay during the course of 2022. Item 6; Fixtures The Royal Household is keen to invite the Club to Windsor to play a match next season. Fixtures are largely in place for 2023. A tour is being investigated. Item 7; Ground Chris Westbrook (ECB Pitch Advisor Hampshire) visited Broadhalfpenny Down in early April when he considered the condition of the square (post-renovation) and the outfield to be excellent. He advised that the height of the grass should be slightly increased and accordingly adjusted the cutters on the mowers. The badger issue had been resolved by loud noise; a strategically placed radio with BBC Radio 1 blaring had been the solution. The Club had suffered vandalism to the nets and marquee; information has been passed to the police and the Trust had raised an insurance claim. Item 8; Treasurer There will be modest increases to the match fees and playing membership next year. Match fees rise to £14 per game for adults and £7 per game for others, Annual Subscriptions rise to £72 per year (£6 per month standing order). Opposition teams are charged £150 per game. Friends memberships are to be held at £15 per season. Item 9; Communications The end of the quarterly newsletter now that website is operational and popular; thanks to Clive Barnett for the sterling work over the years. An additional 7,000 people visited the website this year and more than 50,000 people engaged with content on our social media accounts. 85% of the traffic is from the UK, India is the largest overseas location of visitors, and the majority access the website via mobile phone. Popular days are Saturday (directions) and Monday (match reports). This year we announced new sponsorships with Land Rover, Yorkshire Tea, Sticky Wicket and the Barmy Army, and Fuller’s brewed a special 1772 beer. A merchandise shop launched. Item 10; Trust This has been a great season not just for the great commemorative matches (visually impaired cricket, women and girls cricket, Hambledon Thirds and Colts, a reenactment match, and a visit of the Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton and more) but the relationship with Hampshire CCC, Winchester College, and MCC has strengthened immeasurably. We continue to work hard at nurturing Fullers and other local businesses too. Looking for a new Events Manager, and plan to continue offering the ground as a wedding venue. The stones project is something to work on over the Winter. Priorities for the ground are water and roof. Mike Beardall is to step down as Chairman of the Trust at next year's AGM. Item 11 and 12; Secretary & Any Other Business The Club’s membership had grown by 10%. Nick Harris to be made a Life Vice President, for his service to the club, and Rod Price be made an Honorary Member of the Brigands, for his service to the club through his work at the ground. Running of the "Umpires Union" to Clive Barnett for next season. Ray Holyer is planning to run a Scorers allocation system in parallel with that of the Umpires. In 1992, when HMS Mercury closed, we became an independent Club. Since when we have had a few ups and downs, but 30 years on we are well and truly on the cricketing map and from our achievements this year there is growing confidence within the Club that bodes well for our future and that we are up for the challenges that lie ahead. Before and after the handing over of the Chairman role from Nick Harris to Gerry Northwood. The above is an abridged version of the minutes. The full approved minutes shall take precedence in the event of any inconsistency,

Written by Ivo Tennant and published in The Times 3rd January 2022; it's so good we decided to republish one year on John Small was one English cricketer who could bat. In the inaugural first-class match in 1772 he made the highest score, 78, through what the chroniclers of the time informed us was a classic technique which once enabled him to stay at the crease for three days. It did not go unremarked when the 250th anniversary celebrations of this fixture commenced on New Year’s Day that the entire England team nowadays struggle to survive for three sessions. The Hambledon men, regarded now as Hampshire, beat All-England by 53 runs. For 30 years until the aristocracy decided that London and Thomas Lord’s new ground was better suited as the epicentre of their gambling, drinking, dining and cricket, this little village near Portsmouth was where cricket was shaped to a form with which we are familiar today. A third stump was introduced and the width of the bat modified. The game “grew to man’s estate.” Broadhalfpenny Down, overlooked by the equally famous Bat and Ball public house, remains wonderfully unspoiled. The sweeping view across chalk fields towards Hambledon can barely have altered over the past 250 years. The cricketers who turned out to play at the weekend (fortunately for them it was the warmest New Year’s Day on record) respected tradition. The captains tossed a 1772 coin and everyone, including the umpires, was properly attired. This was the start of a number of celebratory events including a fixture between Hampshire and All-England starting on June 24, the date when play commenced in 1772. There is one slight snag: until the first-class fixture list appears it will not be possible for the organisers to know the availability of players. They are hopeful of attracting the old stars such as David Gower, not least as Hambledon Vineyard are in support, but fresh legs and imbibers are also needed. The prize for the winners in June will not quite compare with the 500 guineas which were on offer in 1772. No wonder Old John Small, as he was known, had the wherewithal to become an expert bat and ball maker. His greatest contribution to the game, according to The World of Cricket was “his development of the basic technique of straight bat-play as the only answer to the length-ball revolution of the bowler’s attack.” When he finally retired he sold the tools of his trade, and gave of his knowledge, to MCC. As well as the departure of the aristocracy, the decline of the Hambledon Club was hastened by the departure of cricketers to serve in the Napoleonic Wars. The Down was a sheep-growing area and for a while the ground reverted to that use. It is now the home of Brigands CC; Hambledon CC play at another venue close by. “They are our friends,” Mike Beardall, chairman of Broadhalfpenny Down’s preservation trust, said. Beardall climbed to the top of the monument opposite the Bat and Ball to announce the regulations of this match starting the 250th anniversary proceedings. It was between Brigands and Hampshire Huskies, a Twenty20 contest with a pink ball on an artificial pitch. At the conclusion, it was only to be expected that the pub would be drunk dry, as doubtless occurred in 1772 and apparently happened in a New Year’s Day fixture in 1929. This match was interrupted by the Hampshire Hunt traversing the pitch and was a cold and low-scoring affair. At the millennium another match commenced at the stroke of midnight. Car headlights were turned on to light up the ground, yet play had to be called off owing to bad light and did not resume until daybreak. On the first day of 2022 there was no hunt, rain or snow: only a few ramblers and the odd sightseer were photographed at the foot of the monument as Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, was last summer. The game, of course, has moved on since the heyday of the Hambledon men. Small, the esteemed craftsman, would not recognise the strength of bats or those who wield them in the 21st century. The Bat and Ball has been peppered so often that protective netting will be placed in front of it. And women play at Broadhalfpenny Down, only not this New Year’s Day. “We asked some to play but they said it would be too cold — and added, ‘You do know it’s after New Year’s Eve?’ ” Hampshire Huskies, who made 123 for seven, beat Brigands, 106 for five, by 17 runs. Huw Turbervill, the editor of The Cricketer, won the man-of-the-match award for taking two wickets and making an unbeaten 12 in a partnership of 22 with his son, Ben. Needless to say that the outfield was on the sluggish side: perhaps sheep still have their place in mid-winter. Would the same post-match ale be served in the Bat and Ball as in 1772? “I hope not,” Beardall said. Here, where the der-doings on this great ground had long been recorded, an orderly past was celebrated and happenings down under soon forgotten. After all, the participants could remind themselves, first-class cricket was played at Broadhalfpenny Down before the first penal colony in Australia had even been founded.

As a curtain raiser to the World Test Championship between India and Australia, Brigands took on the Old Boys of Winchester College on a scorching Sunday. Other than Adam Jay who turned up with one shoe, Brigands started well putting on 32 for the first wicket. Bowling line and length proved the right tactic as three wickets then fell in quick succession LBW and two clean bowled. Henderson (25) and Turner (15) got the score to 80 before more wickets fell requiring Guy Ladenburg (57) to dig deep with his first half-century of the season, with solid support from Blackburn and Wood. Brigands declared on 181 but lost the initiative after tea with a drop first ball of the innings and conceding boundaries, byes, and wides galore in the opening spell. The match had attracted a bumper crop of spectators, some local like Roy Newman and Pete Tomkins, some from as far away as Bristol and Lancashire; one observed "you need a miracle to win this" at 66-0 off 8 overs with the Maclay Brothers playing with freedom. Not quite a miracle, but Ali got a run out from mid-one then a wicket in his second over, and Beardall a wicket in his first; but Brigands were always behind with further drops in the field and the Old Wykehamists reached the target in the 29th over. Brigands 181-7 declared, lost by 4 wickets to Old Wykehamists 183-6 Photos by Friend of Broadhalfpenny Down, Simon Arnold, and Dave Henderson

Unlike in 1929, 2000, and 2022 ... there is no New Year's Day cricket at Broadhalfpenny Down in 2024 but we would like to wish all members and supporters a very Happy New Year full of friendly cricket and good cheer.

Commemorative postage stamps have long been used to celebrate sporting events, including cricket, to provide a unique visual narrative of historical moments. These miniature works of art have captured the essence of legendary players, iconic venues, and milestone events, including those at Broadhalfpenny Down, where the early laws and traditions of the sport took root. Stamps depicting The Bat and Ball and the impact of Richard Nyren were issued in 2008 and, before that, the cricketing heritage of Hambledon was recognised as part of the Centenary of County Cricket in 1973. One of the most notable instances of cricket on postage stamps is the 2005 Ashes series. England's gripping victory over Australia in that historic contest, marked by unforgettable performances and nail-biting moments, inspired a series of commemorative stamps. Mid-Eighteenth Century cricket being played (possibly at Broadhalfpenny Down) was featured on a postage stamp was issued in Tonga, together with an image of Fuller Pilch, who in 1827 was in  great demand playing in the England games against Sussex and amassing runs with his inventive "Pilcher's Poke" shot. Sir Garfield Sober's, a Broadhalfpenny Down patron, has featured on stamps in Barbados whilst mint 1973 3p WG Grace stamps with a "missing Queen's head due to a printing error" can fetch more than £5,000 each. Hambledon was featured in Australian-issued first-day covers for its Bicentenary celebration stamps too. Cricket postage stamps serve as time capsules, encapsulating the sport's journey through iconic moments and hallowed grounds, from the gripping Ashes battles to the roots of cricket in Hambledon, ensuring that these tales are preserved for generations to come.

There are lots of jobs to do in order to get Broadhalfpenny Down ready for the season. Volunteers are needed to help prepare the ground on Saturday 6th April at 10am. Please liaise with Gerry Northwood if you can lend a hand. The Marquee will be erected on Sunday 12th May, meet at 10am, followed by a season full of cricket and a summer full of sunshine. The ground will be closed on Saturday 14th September followed by an end of season barbecue. The Annual Dinner at The Bat and Ball on Saturday 5th October, meeting at 6.30pm, and the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 6th October 2024. The Club only works if everyone pitches in and does some of the important work to set up, maintain, and close down the ground, and many hands make light work.

Scottish explorer Susan Calman visited Broadhalfpenny Down as part of her Grand Days Out series on Channel 5. She was given a quick history of the ground before playing a few shots on the outfield with some of the Hambledon Under 14 girls team. At the time of writing, the show (Series 6, Episode 2) is available to watch on the My5 app.

The last match of the season ended, fittingly, in a last-over finish. After the traditional Chairman's welcome, Brigands batted first with debutant Chris Russell stroking an elegant 40 supported by Wood with 13. Batting wasn't easy as Cornwall bowled very straight (no wides in the innings!) and one of the Brigands Umpires was Cornish! The Jays were in next and Father and Son put on 13 more for the third wicket before Henderson hit a quick 50; with big boundaries there were 4 all-run fours. Woolvine, with pad rash having got padded up in the first over, played like Botham-of-old and hit the best shot of the day using his feet to smote one down to long on. The innings ended on 187 when Harry Bates hit the ball straight to cover, ran, and got run-out. Richie Hay opened the bowling in his lucky-walking-boots and only got hit for one scoring shot in his first 24 balls; the first three wickets came from other sources as Woolvine and Henderson getting dismissals from full tosses. Two more debutants shone; Rob (with gloves) and Harry Walton (with pace). Zeb Jay took a smart catch, his Dad picked up three more as the Brigands lived up to their claim to be "the best fielding side in Hampshire". There were three wicket-maidens and at 50-5 the chase looked unlikely, but some lofted drives and paddles to leg from the Cornwall skipper saw them get back in contention needing 36 off the last 6 overs with 3 wickets in hand. More wickets fell in the chase so it was down to Adam Jay to bowl the last over of the season down the hill and needing just one wicket, with men all around the bat and a Hambledon sunset to the West.

A heartfelt thank-you to the ground team that put up the marquee in the sweltering heat in the morning, and to Andy Reed for scoring, Clive Barnett for Umpiring, and Graham Inglis for tea and Match Management; it’s acts of volunteering like this that make cricket clubs operate successfully. At the other end of the scale, a no-show meant a last-minute scramble for an eleventh player Leon Gray which meant that the Brigands team fielded two married gay men for the first time; fitting, at the end of Pride month. Brigands were in a benevolent mood, giving Hambledon early runs as they raced to a 50-run opening stand in only the 7th over with misfields and boundaries galore. The spin of Bath and Ali slowed things down, the bounce was hard to play, and wickets began to fall with good catches behind the wicket and on the boundary. Tom Ladenburg bowled 3 tight overs as Henderson rotated bowlers to support Bath in particular, who bagged another stunning 6 wicket haul. Hambledon all out for 185 and Brigand’s chase faltered as Guy Ladernburg was caught behind and was later seen walking around the boundary seeking advice from his son. Jay (13) and Henderson (38) built a partnership but Brigands fell from 57-2 to 58-6 in the blink of an eye with ducks to slip catches for Northwood, Ali and Bath. Lee Gray hit 36 at the end as Hambledon opened up the bowling, but there was no way back from the middle-order collapse and an easy victory for the neighbours by 70 runs.

Since becoming Chairman of the Broadhalfpenny Brigands, Gerry Northwood had sold more raffle tickets than scored runs so it was pleasing he enjoyed the pace bowling of the University of St Andrews alumni to reach his first half-century of the season; he had to work hard on a slow outfield that saw him scamper two all-run fours. Waktare (22) played fluently but was run out at the non-striker's end by a superb pick-up and throw. The injured Ali (21) was promoted to three and scored elegantly before he, Morris, Henderson Junior, and Turner fell in quick succession. Hands swept his first boundary into The Monument and Henderson (28*) played hit and run at the end to declare on 175-6 after 40 overs. Wood got a wicket with his first ball and Hands bagged a caught and bowled off an early bouncer; game on. The Seagullians attacked anything short, but one cut shot too many and the dangerous Baird hit the ball straight to Hands at point. The new batsmen lofted his first shot over the head of Turner at short mid-off who turned, chased, and held onto a fine catch above his head in a show of athleticism suited more to the Wimbledon men’s final at Wimbledon than at Broadhalfpenny Down. With 75 needed from 17 overs and 5 wickets in hand, the match turned on an arm ball from Ali that went through the defence of Kneale. Beardall utilised the strong wind and picked up a wicket with excellent flight, and with 30 or so still to get the Brigands fielders got excitable at the arrival of a number 10 with a top-of-the-range unblemished Keeley bat. Dougie Henderson wickets are as hard to come by as Taylor Swift tickets but he was inducted into the all-rounders club thanks to a long-hop that was despatched to Ed Hands who made a full-length forward diving catch on the Hambledon boundary to end the match. Brigands 175-6 declared beat Old Seagullians 142 all out, by 33 runs. Northwood 63*, Henderson 28*; Wood 3-43, Hands 3-23. Ali 2-17.

At Hambledon, upon this spot, high up on Hampshire’s chalk, A million, trillion years ago, the dinosaurs did walk. The great Gattingosauruses – short-legged with thick necks That fearsome giant carnivore, Bothamosaurus Rex. Across this very turf they strode – one short and fat, one tall – And came across an ancient pub they call the Bat and Ball. Declared Gattingosaurus – ‘There’s a field and a pub, It’s the Ice Age and it’s raining – we should start a cricket club’ So it all began at Hambledon, a billion years ago – Brian Johnston saw it, and Brian ought to know. Bothamosaurus Rex then found a Pterodactyl’s egg, And rubbed it on his scaly tail, so it would swing to leg. He went and pulled three trees up from a nearby Hampshire thicket And cried ‘Look Gatt – the wheel’ Gatt said ‘Rubbish that’s a wicket’ And then Gattingosaurus found a club of slate so vast, So long and wide from side to side no ball could get past. Bothamosaurus Rex then took the obvious revenge, And made the wickets bigger – which is how we get Stonehenge. Yes it all took place at Hambledon, as the world began to wake, And Brian Johnston watched while eating prehistoric cake. They batted through the Stone Age, the score became colossal Boycottodon was in so long he turned into a fossil. They said ‘If only we had Hickthyosaurus in the side, But he hasn’t been here long enough, and isn’t qualified’ Eventually the dinosaurs of Hambledon got sent A letter postmarked London (which was forwarded from Kent) ‘The Mammoth Cricket Club (that is the MCC to you) Is happy to inform you that your membership’s come through.’ And so the dinosaurs marched off to London in their hordes They’re not extinct at all – they’re alive and well at Lord’s. They sleep in the pavilion, dreaming Neolithic dreams And ev’ry now and then wake up and pick the England team. But it all began at Hambledon – it did – I do declare – Brian Johnston told me, and knows, ‘cos he was there.