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This was the kind of unpredictable cricket match that bookmakers dream of. A Brigands team with seven bowlers and no wicketkeeper against an Old Woks side with eight Winchester College old boys, two teenagers, and an Old Etonian. There were Grand Matches played at Broadhalfpenny Down in the Eighteenth Century where teams would play for 500 Guineas and locals would come to bet on the result. For a bit of fun, and in a nod to history, two locals made a £20 wager on this match. Brigands batted first with Jake Peach and Dave Henderson putting on 42 in quick time but once both had been spun out, wickets tumbled and the scoreboard showed 62 runs for 6 wickets. Attack is the only form of defence for Sam Sargant who came out, to join Ed Hands, and scored a quick 16 before hitting one in the air to deep mid-wicket. 92-7. Gerry Northwood was in next, cheered on by his nonagenarian father who told tales of how his son thrives under pressure. He recalled a game of swing ball after school one day when father and son were trying so hard to win that Northwood Senior hit a shot and accidentally let go of the racket which flew into, and smashed, the kitchen window to the surprise of Mrs Northwood who was washing up. Northwood cover drove his way to 35 with four flowing boundaries, and Hands accumulated 49 of 73 balls before getting bowled going for glory. Brigands declared on 175-8. Harry and Nina Bates had been presented with new caps for their incredible service and it was lovely to see the support from the Harris, Northwood, Bailey, Tompkins, Sargant, and Peach families. There was plenty of tea to go around, including a delicious Sue Bailey Lime and Coconut cake. Sam Sargant bowled fast but without luck. Ed Hands bowled both Old Woks openers, the first with an away swinger and the second with one that nipped back off the seam; Jimmy Anderson would have approved. Mike Beardall and Jim Morris bowled first over Maidens as the Old Woks regrouped before Tristan Hanson (38) and Billy Wyman (27) went through the gears and put on 50 for the third wicket including a lovely six into the trees. A twenty-team cricket world cup began in the West Indies and USA this weekend in a format with fine margins and winners sometimes determined by fielding; Brigands won’t be world champions any time soon. Long barriers were breached, throws were errant, and six catches were dropped before the drinks interval. Neil Wood tried a catch using a belly-first technique and Jim Morris got confused by the dual boundary lines. Brigands, once known as the best fielding side in Hampshire had an off day at the cradle of cricket. Out of nowhere, like a Liz Truss premiership, came an over of chaos. Ali Cheena walked out to bat at seven wearing sunglasses and no thigh pad. He asked for a runner but as no one else was padded up, the next batter walked out to the middle to join in. His spectacles fell off first ball, he survived an LBW shout next ball, and then he set off for a quick single third ball only to be sent back by his teammate who had to explain the rules. He charged down the pitch to attack but missed the next two balls, and then last ball, he played the wrong line, got hit on the pads, and was given out whereupon he stood in disbelief drawing an imaginary trajectory of the ball passing leg stump with his gloves. The over appears in the scorebook as a Tom Ladenburg wicket maiden. The score was 102 for 6 wickets, just 74 runs to get. The Sorrells, father and son, were together, the latter showing a patient and well-coached technique, and the former possessing what he called his “magic bat” which was all the more believable the third time he was dropped. Bowlers were rotated and the openers brought back on, but to no avail, as the Old Woks got over the line with a couple of overs to spare. After the match, the Old Woks enjoyed their victory at the ground that Winchester College owns, and the winner of the aforementioned bet offered to buy a disconsolate and bruised Brigands Captain a commiseration beer.

There may have been no Shakespeare without the 16th-century theatre impresario Philip Henslowe. In the film “Shakespeare in Love” he was the character who remained optimistic even in the most trying times; whether his playwrights had writer's block, his actors were in jail, or if the theatres were closed down because of the plague, he would shrug “strangely enough, it all turns out well” and when asked how, he would say “I don’t know, it’s a mystery”. The Brigands selectors woke up on the morning of the game to find an inclement weather forecast and that they had lost Paul Whittle (bad back), Lee Grey (sore knee), and Jim Morris (Covid). With a rallying cry and the help of WhatsApp and the Spond, it mysteriously turned out well. Steve Blackburn was back from diving in the Red Sea, club legend Jake Peach stepped up at short notice, and actor and son Jonathan and Iggy Cake made their way to Hambledon for their Brigands debuts. Brigands were put into bat. David Mann late cut and leg glanced his way to a lovely half-century, well supported by Mark Flewitt, and Milo Fletcher who also got a half-century on his first game back after travelling around Japan. Jonathan Cake is used to a mystery or two from his roles in Miss Marple, Death in Paradise, and Johnathan Creek. There was a brooding atmosphere as he practiced in the nets, the pavilion clock was stuck at 6.15, and gloomy clouds gathered overhead. Both sight screens were blown over in a gusty Northerly wind, the scorers had to don hats and scarves to stay warm, and then when Cake came out to bat Umpire Paul Doole had to be helped off with ice after being struck on the mouth after a well-hit pull shot that ricocheted off the square leg fielders outstretched fingertips. Wickets fell, but quick runs from Ed Hands meant that Brigands declared on 184 for seven from just 34 overs to enjoy the seasonal highlight of a Sam Sargant (with Kiwi Evan) tea that featured Pam Burns’ fluffy scones that the Tavistock Monks would have approved of. In reply, the visitors got stage fright. Ed Hands bowling up the hill was seaming the ball both ways, and Neil Wood utilised the wind to bring the ball back into the right-handers. Only 7 runs were conceded in the first 7 overs, and 3 wickets fell including an outrageous slip catch by Mike Beardall. The first change bowlers, Beardall and Iggy Cake, were equally impressive bowling 9 overs between them and conceding just 8 runs. Iggy has only just emigrated to England and is learning all about cricket where it all began. There was a Henderson run out, a brace of wickets for Jake Peach, and two in two balls for Ed Hands that led to a 7-slip-1-gulley field for the hat-trick ball (which was called a wide). A valiant last wicket stand from The Stage featured a huge six from Hambledon resident Sam Sargant before Wood, in his second spell, picked up the final wicket with a floater that sealed a Brigands victory by 115 runs, followed by chips at the Bat & Ball. All the world is a stage, and while everyone knew the ending, there was intrigue and pleasure in the script. Brigands 184-7 declared beat The Stage CC 69 all out by 115 runs. Photographs courtesy of Dougie Henderson who also wrote a summarised match report; "Win".

The Times published a special edition on 25 May 1937 to celebrate 150 years since the formation of the M.C.C, featuring stories from the origins of cricket through to the modern day post-Bodyline era. Sir John Squire wrote the article at Broadhalfpenny Down, covering John Nyren's famous book, the collection of memorabilia in the Bat and Ball, the playing of Grand Matches at the Cradle of Cricket, and how the ground was saved.

The halfpenny was a common coin used during the reign of King George III when Broadhalfpenny Down was at the heart of cricket in England. These copper coins, stamped with the monarch's image on one side and Britannia on the reverse, were a testament to the flourishing economy and vibrant culture of Georgian Britain. At the local Hambledon market, the halfpenny could buy a few apples or a handful of nails for a blacksmith, whilst up at the Bat and Ball a couple of halfpennies would buy a beer. Spectators could use a halfpenny to bet on the outcome of cricket matches played by The Hambledon Club at Broadhalfpenny Down, adding to the sport's excitement. Today, an original 1772 halfpenny coin is used for the toss before some of the games at Broadhalfpenny Down.

A lovely summer cricket ground is made in the winter and spring! Our magnificent Paul Jackson and Harry Bates were busy at work today, with Gerry Northwood on hand, to carry away the fallen leaves. The moles are back so work was done to repair the damage and discourage them from visiting us at Broadhalfpenny Down. Harry even did a short video about it for YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. And we met two potential recruits to the Groundsperson team; Phil, a cricket-following Yorkshireman living in Bishops Waltham, and Charlotte, a conservation-loving resident of the Meon Valley. A warm welcome to both.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the original first-class cricket match, Fullers have brewed a commemorative beer that is available throughout the 2022 cricket season at the Bat & Ball. A light, fruity, tropical pale ale, "Broadhalfpenny Down 1772" has been selling well and is the perfect drink for a Summer's evening. The beer was the brainchild of Brigand Adam Jay, who worked with Fullers on the branding, and it was featured in the recent BBC film of the charity cricket match between Hampshire All Stars and All England.

In the penultimate of his six-part series, historian Stephen Saunders tells us about the Cricket Memorial that sits proudly on the boundary of Broadfhalfpenny Down. The idea of a Cricket Memorial was first mooted in July 1906 when the Hambledon Club accepted a challenge to play a side from the Veterans of England. However, the match never took place. The subject was raised again the following year when Edward Whalley-Tooker proposed the erection of a memorial on the site of the original ground, at the General Meeting held on 15 October 1907. A sub-committee was formed to progress this. The Reverend H. Floud, as secretary to the sub-committee, wrote to the owners of the ground, the Pease family, for permission to erect a memorial and also to Bertram Cancellor, a Winchester architect, for a design. The design that Cancellor came up with was considered far too elaborate and expensive so he was asked to come up with something simpler. He then hastily, because of time pressure, prepared a rough sketch reflecting the base of King Arthur’s statue in Winchester. This was accepted. Captain Butler, the President, drafted a letter inviting subscriptions which he sent to all the county clubs and many other cricket clubs and organisations. Donations were also sought from local people and businesses. The total sum raised was £112 and 4 shillings. The firm of Vokes and Beck in Winchester (still in existence today) were appointed to manage the erection of the Memorial. The three granite sections were cut and prepared in a Cornish quarry run by Messrs. Sweet of Liskeard. The base stone is ten feet square and the column eight feet high. The stones came by train to Droxford station and then by steam wagons to the ground. The weather was appalling and the erection of the Memorial became a real challenge. A newly minted half-crown was placed under the column. The granite stones cost £92. The total cost of the project was £111, 5 shillings and a penny, leaving 18 shillings and 11 pence, which was handed to the All England match committee. It was arranged that a first-class match would again be played on Broadhalfpenny Down (the last one being in 1781) between Hambledon, captained by E. Whalley-Tooker, and England on September 10, 11, 12, 1908 and that the Memorial would be unveiled by Dr. W. G. Grace during the lunch interval on the first day. However, Dr. Grace did not turn up so the Memorial was unveiled by E M Sprot, the captain of Hampshire. Capt. White and Hill were replaced in the Hambledon team by Bignell and the Rev. Jephson. The latter scored the second (and last) first-class century on the ground, after John Small in 1775. Hambledon won the match by five wickets. In February 1952 Historic England listed the Cricket Memorial as Grade II and nowadays it is enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

Our Friends at Yorkshire Tea surprised us with a season's worth of tea bags to enjoy with homemade sausage rolls and lovely cakes in the Broadhalfpenny Down marquee. Thanks to all the cricket-loving folk at Betty's in Harrogate; much appreciated.

A new Land Rover has been spotted around Hambledon ... featuring the "old & new bat, two stumps" logo, and part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first First Class match taking place at Broadhalfpenny Down in 1772. Sytner Land Rover has provided this season's playing kit and is sponsoring the ECB T20 final for visually impaired cricket that takes place at Broadhalfpenny Down in September. The Land Rover Defender took a trip up to Hambledon Vineyard and then onto Broadhalfpenny Down on a lovely summer afternoon to enjoy the views.

Fatty Batter is the memoir of a rotund, sweet-loving, boy called Michael Simkins who discovered it’s possible to play, and fall in love with, cricket without being healthy. But the core of the book's message is that cricket is only as good as the people you play with. Simkins set up his own team and named it the Harry Baldwin Occasionals after a portly Victorian cricketer, and this was their first visit to the cradle of cricket. Winning the toss they batted first and raced to 16 in the first couple of overs. Neil Wood bowled with flight, Mike Beardall bowled with guile, and Tom Ladenburg bowled with newfound confidence having been presented with his Brigands Cap at the start of the match; it was his second over that proved most destructive with 3 wickets falling and consigning the visitors to a double digit innings score. Tom Ladenburg awarded his cap, the book that started it all, & Brigands one down with the fall of Paul Whittle With Brigands batting before tea, Jim Morris scored freely all around the wicket and Brigands were on their way. The biggest cheer of the day was a forward defensive from Zeb Jay. It was the fifth ball of an over he had already swiped and plundered the first four balls on his way to his highest score at Broadhalfpenny Down. Dave Henderson hit the winning runs for a 7 wicket Brigands victory. Players were able to enjoy tea in the marquee which had been erected earlier in the day by a brilliant and loyal Band of Brothers including Bailey, Beardall, Whittle, Mann, Harris and Morris. It seemed fitting, given the origins of the opposition, that there was pork pie by The Monument and extra cakes baked including Oreo Delights, Raspberry and Lemon Slices, Chocolate Crispies, and a Coffee & Walnut cake for the ages. The marquee is erected by a fine Band of Brothers, Beardall hits out, Pork Pie, fielding in front of the pavilion, a dog looks on waiting for his Master to return from the field, and looking for a ball after Zeb Jay hits one into the field After tea, a twelve-over-a-side “sunset match” was played with Brigands posting 103-7 including some huge sixes from Sam Sargant. In reply, there was a remarkable over from left armer Paul Whittle, and an even more remarkable bit of fielding from Neil Wood who attempted a boundary stop at deep square leg with his foot but kicked the ball 30 yards to the fine leg boundary instead. All of this meant that Harry Baldwin Occasionals needed 7 off the last over, which they got off the penultimate ball. The teams took photographs by The Monument and the visitors were treated to a history talk as the sun set over the Hambledon valley. Good cricket with good people, indeed. Brigands v Harry Baldwin Occasionals, 2024 The pavilion & marquee glow in the sunset, as spectators get one last photograph at the cradle of cricket Brigands 83-3 beat Harry Baldwin Occasions 82 all out by 7 wickets.

"Oh God, if there be cricket in heaven, let there also be rain"* for batters and bowlers alike to adjust to the conditions. With some revised playing conditions, Sons of Bachus bravely followed WG Grace's advice and Batted first irrespective of the damp pitch and a gloomy forecast. Sargant picked up a wicket in his first over, and Morris a wicket with his first ball as Bachus swung their way to 30-2 off 7 overs. Adjusting to the conditions, Neil Wood decided to bowl slow, very slow, echoing JM Barrie who once said "I bowl so slowly that if I don't like a ball I can run after it and bring it back". But it was effective with a brace of wickets including the dangerous Booth, bowled for 22. Ladenburg picked up two in 2 balls and it was only a patient 48 from Bachus' Chris Russell that got them to a respectful 155-9 declared. The adjacent pub which bears the name "Bat & Ball" with two Bs, two As, two Ls, and an extra T. The bowling figures were Wood 2-23, Sargant 2-23, Ladenburg 2-23 and Morris 2-25; near symmetry at play. Brigands sent in Councillor Whittle, fresh from a political podcast interview, and Lee Gray who put on 20 in the first 3 overs. Then came Dave Turner, who played straight and true whilst his family played ping pong on a kitchen table next to The Monument. When he, and then debutant Charlie Wright, and Adam Jay of local cake-making family fame, were out in quick succession Brigands were 58-5 and in trouble. The Royal Marine, Jim Morris, and Dave Henderson got down to business as the 20 over countdown began and put on 50 for the 7th wicket without drama; Henderson hit a six over extra cover and when he was out for fifty it was left to Northwood and Sargant to see Brigands home. Sons of Bachus batted for 35 overs, Brigands for 35.1 overs; near symmetry at play again. Bachus 155-9 declared lost to Brigands 156-8 by 2 wickets *Alec Douglas-Home

In a twisty-turny tale of cricket capers, the Brigands squared off against the XIIth Men in the first T20 match of the season, with more drama than a soap opera and more puns than a dad joke convention. Losing the toss and forced to bat first on a damp wicket, the Brigands’ top order crumbled faster than a poorly constructed sandcastle. Gerry Northwood kicked things off by chopping on, setting off a chain reaction of wicket woes that even Houdini couldn't escape. Dave Hendersonn, Jim Morris, and Dave Turner followed suit, falling quicker than autumn leaves in a gusty wind. With the scoreboard resembling a sad trombone solo, XIIth Men sniffed victory but a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Zeb Jay, arriving fashionably late with his camping gear still in tow, from his Duke of Edinburgh exploits, ready to save the day. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Brigands All Rounders Club, Gray, Wood, and Ladenburg, swung their bats like medieval knights in shining armour to guide their team to a respectable 100 run total. XIIth Men, led by the flamboyant Gursant Singh, started cautiously, with Neil Wood’s opening bowling resembling a slow-motion replay. But a fine example of a full toss from Gray, bowling uphill, was gleefully snapped up by Morris at Square Leg, sending one of the XIIth Men packing. In a whirlwind of boundaries and retirements, Singh took matters into his own hands, dispatching the ball to all corners of the field with the finesse of a maestro conducting an orchestra. However, Gray kept the Brigands in the game, snaring two wickets in two balls, leaving him tantalisingly close to a hat-trick, only to be denied by the umpire, even if it was going onto hit the stumps* (The bowler thought so). As the game hung in the balance, with wickets tumbling like Jenga blocks, XIIth Men edged closer to victory. With just one ball remaining the ball was sent flying past square leg to seal victory for XIIthe Men. Both teams shared a hearty laugh and a few commissary pints at The Bat and Ball, proving that win or lose, cricket can be a jolly good time. Match report by Lee Gray

Thanks to our friends at The Bat & Ball for capturing the Northern Lights in the Hambledon valley last night.

To commemorate 250 years since the original First Class cricket match at Broadhalfpenny Down, B3 has created a new limited edition bat that has a sublime pick up and features specially designed bat stickers. No more than 100 bats will be made, and the bats are available exclusively at www.broadhalfpennydown.com. David Henderson at Broadhalfpenny Down said “2022 is a celebration of all things cricket and we are delighted that our collaboration with B3 gives us a chance to raise money to help maintain this historic ground and host more disability cricket matches in the future.” Michael Blatherwick, Managing Director of B3, said “it’s an absolute honour to be asked to make some very special bats to mark the 250th anniversary of First Class cricket. We are looking forward to getting involved in a fantastic summer of cricket at Broadhalfpeeny Down to celebrate this historical landmark!”

Some teams are imposters. The Invalids turned up and played with eleven able-bodied cricketers, The Vagabonds had stable jobs and homes, and there wasn't a Gypsy amongst I Zingari when they visited Broadhalfpenny Down. But the Hollywood Golden Oldies were everything that they claimed; playing in Gold, from Los Angeles, and their opening batters had an average age of 70. They arrived smiling, saying hello to spectators, asked about the history, posed for selfies, and brought steel drums for a post-match Sundowner concert; they "had me at hello" (1). On their last visit to Broadhalfpenny Down 28 years ago, one of the Americans said "I'll be back" (2), and here they were on their final date of an eight-match tour. Hollywood scored their runs like Ernest Hemmingway went bankrupt; "gradually and then suddenly"; Reed, Henderson, Stearns, and Blackburn bowled tightly and without conceding wides and after 8 overs just 32 runs were scored. Then were were no balls, fours, a six, three retirements and a pulled hamstring. More spectators arrived in case there was Hollywood royalty on display as a further 96 runs were added in the last 12 overs. Tom Ladeburg effected a run-out, and both Beardall and Northwood picked up LBWs. Hollywood finished on 128 and were so confident with their score that they went out to the field without a wicketkeeper. The Brigands Captain, Gerry Northwood, smelt a victory chase and put himself in to open, but returned shortly afterward, then Jonas Waktare and Dave Turner missed straight ones. "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride" (3). Henderson and Wood put on 40 by sweeping and pulling to the short legside boundaries. Then Beardall fell to a diving catch and, under pressure, with runs needed, out came teenager Tom Ladenburg; "no one puts baby in a corner" (4). Tom nudged, drove, and pulled the ball putting on more than 20 with Steve Blackburn who found his form at just the right time, moving his front leg out of the way and swinging to the vacant Long On boundary. Once Ladenburg was out, and Blackburn retired having got to a sublime 25, it was left to veteran Andrew Reed to hold his nerve and pinch quick singles and overthrows. With a few balls to go, Peter Stearns smoked a cover drive to see Brigands home on his debut, his family sitting beside the Bat & Ball; it was "the stuff that dreams are made of" (5). Hollywood 128-4 lost to Brigands 131-6 by 3 wickets with an over to spare Brigands v Hollywood Golden Oldies Andrew Read bowling for the Brigands Exit stage right Beardall caught out by a diving Hollywood catch Stearns and Read see Brigands home as the sun sets in the Hambledon Valley After the match, a steel drum calypso concert On the last tour., in 1995 Footnotes; Hollywood Movie References Jerry Maguire Terminator All About Eve Dirty Dancing The Maltese Falcon

Calling all members, friends, and supporters of Broadhalfpenny Down and Brigands Cricket Club. It's Volunteers Day on 6 April, starting at 10 am, and there are lots of jobs to do to get the ground ready for the Summer. Tea, Coffee, and Biscuits will be provided and the Bat and Ball will be open after a morning of hard and valuable work. Come and join in and catch up with Brigands, some of whom you won't have seen since September.

The Bat & Ball, 14th October 2023 Members and Friends of Broadfhalfpenny Brigands are invited to The Hambledon Club Autumn 2023 Lunch. The lunch will be full of cricket followers and takes place at the Bat & Ball; the speaker is Matt Teale, an experienced broadcaster with thousands of hours of live television under his belt. Matt has fronted news and sports reports on ITV, Sky and Forces TV, and has interviewed Prime Ministers, politicians, military chiefs, Olympians, celebrities and inspirational people from all walks of life in a career spanning more than twenty years. Away from work, he is a cricket-obsessed sports fan and father. If anyone would like to attend please contact Lyndia Allen on 07726 330339 or at

Edited from an article first published in The Telegraph by Scyld Berry The Bat and Ball Inn was a most hospitable hostelry when grand matches were played on Broadhalfpenny Down in the 1770s. John Nyren has immortalised the vigour of the punch that was served - not the watered-down stuff dished up after the Napoleonic Wars had devastated the English economy as much as Covid-19 - but alcohol that packed a punch: “not your modern cat-lap milk punch, but good unsophisticated John Bull stuff that would make a cat speak! Sixpence a bottle!” The author was of course extolling the virtues of his father, Richard Nyren, as landlord of the Bat and Ball Inn, but still: those victuals and viands, the hog-roasts, the claret and punch, must have been pretty tasty to keep the gentry and even aristocracy happy when they played at Hambledon, before they adjourned to London and made MCC, from the 1790s, the leading club in the land. Much learned discussion - a euphemism for acrimonious debate - has gone into establishing why Hambledon suddenly became the strongest cricket club in England in the 1770s, and why it just as suddenly folded. My interpretation is that in the case of Hambledon at any rate, history is made by great men - in this case, Richard Nyren. He was everything to Hambledon: the captain, a fine lefthanded batsman, a useful bowler, and the club secretary, as well as the landlord of the local inn. Nyren held the purse-strings, coaxing annual subscriptions out of wealthy patrons and doling out not only prize-money to the players but expenses. For this was surely the unique selling point of the Hambledon club: mileage. Most players were men of yeoman substance - farmers, or shoemakers, while John Small made cricket bats and balls - and they topped up their income with match-fees (up to five guineas for a win, three for a loss) and with expenses (unfortunately the accounts from the club’s heyday do not survive to tell us how many pence per mile they got). Some had to ride ten miles or more to practice sessions, for only a couple lived in Hambledon. A few even came from Surrey and Sussex, setting the trend for Hampshire’s signings to follow. It is utterly extraordinary when you consider it: that gentry and even aristocracy were content to play under the captaincy of Nyren, a landlord, in the 18th century. Nyren was not alone either as a captain who was a commoner: if a cricket match was being played for 500 or 1,000 guineas, you had to have your best man as captain. George Trevelyan might well have been right in his hypothesis: that if the French aristocracy had been playing cricket simultaneously, they would not have had their chateaux burned.

Our friends at Cricket District have produced a stunning Calendar for 2024 featuring the 12 most beautiful grounds they have visited. They range from St Moritz in Switzerland to Dharamshala in India, but the month of May features a scorched Broadhalfpenny Down from drone footage taken in August 2022 in the match against the MCC.

Brigands Played 25 games, Won 13, Lost 6, Drew 5, and had 1 abandoned. A further 6 games were cancelled due to rain. Brigands scored 3720 runs and lost 157 wickets, the opposition scored 3176 runs and lost 185 wickets. Lee Gray was awarded Best Batter, Mike Bath Best Bowler, and Mo Ali the Young Player of the Season. Guy Ladenburg’s caught and bowled was the Champagne Moment. Bryan Burns was awarded the prestigious Don Rock trophy for Services to Brigands Cricket There were Fifties for David Henderson, Lee Gray, Gerry Northwood, Ewan Lovett-Turner, Harry Collier, Rupert Preece, Andrew Ainsley, Guy Ladenburg and William Maund. ​ Dave Henderson scored the most runs (501) then Guy Ladenburg (320) and Lee Gray (274). In T20s, Adam Jay was the best batter (78). Dougie Henderson hit the biggest six, over the road into the neighboring Parish. ​ Lee Gray (45.67) had the best batting average, then Dave Henderson (46.1) then Neil Wood (36.25) surprisingly, and Guy Ladenburg (26.67). ​ Neil Wood took the most wickets (25) then Mike Beardall (22) and Mike Bath (22). In T20s Matt Goodman took the most wickets (3). There were Five wicket hauls for Mike Bath & Mo Ali. Mike Bath had the best bowling average (5.6), then Mo Ali (11.4), Guy Ladenburg (12.63), Ed Hands (13.9) and Lee Gray (15.3) ​ Dave Henderson took the most catches (9) then Paul Bailey (7), Guy Ladenburg (7), and Dave Turner (7). In T20, Dave Mann took the most catches (4). ​ Guy Ladenburg had the most fantasy points followed closely behind by Neil Wood. ​ 54 different players played for the Brigands in 2023 (6 less than in 2022) Neil Wood played most games (23) then Gerry Northwood (20). Of course, you can't measure the spirit of cricket or the joy of playing cricket at a special place with good people, but if you could it would score highly. Compiled by Neil Wood