Chingford Cricket Club

A Review of the 1972 Season

1972 saw the birth of the Essex League with Chingford well represented on the initial committee with Ron Lynch as Chairman and Bryan Knight as Fixture Secretary. In the first season of “proper” League cricket Chingford 1^st and 2^nd elevens both had 17 League fixtures scheduled although some local sides were played twice.

Graham Lord and Ken Dowding were the first and second eleven Captains and it is interesting to note the side that represented Chingford 1^st XI in the inaugural League match, away to Colchester !

Malcolm Ridgway scored the first League run, while fittingly Bryan Hart picked up the first League wicket. For the record the game ended as a draw, Chingford 145-7, Colchester 112-9. Overall Chingford finished well down the League, losing only 2 games but significantly only 2 were won with 10 ending honours even in draws.

Chingford were never short of runs with the regular top five, with Geoff Sandrock (574), Malcolm Ridgway (511), Graham Lord (467), Mike Edmonds (401) and David Rafis ( 264) all making significant contributions. The bowling was not so strong with the side lacking a recognised regular slow bowler but nevertheless Bryan Hart contributed an excellent 43 wickets (including 7-32 v Woodford Wells) whilst Buddy Jessop captured 20.

Graham Lord hit 104v Loughton while Geoff Sandrock made 102 * v Hadleigh and Thundersley

Both Geoff Sandrock and Mike Edmonds were selected for Essex 2^nd eleven in their drawn game with Sussex at Forest Side on June 26/27 – with Sandrock hitting 45 in one innings.

Peter Brown had a couple of excellent bowling spells in the 2s with 8-26 against Wanstead and 6-33 v Buckhurst Hill.

In the Sunday As , the record was Won 4 Drawn 9 Lost 5. Mike Edmonds hit 129* v Barnet and Graham Lord was the other centurion with 102 v Highams Park. Overall Geoff Sandrock hit 661 runs and Mike Edmonds 432. With the ball again Bryan Hart led the way with 18 wickets, whilst best analysis came from Peter Snelling with 7-29 v Barnet.

In the Sunday Bs the game away to Wheathampstead A proved to be a near disaster with seven Chingford batsmen returning to the pavilion with ducks to their name – thank heaven for Stuart Tyrrell who scored 50 of his side’s 67 all out!

For the 1972 season the four sightscreens we still possess were purchased from Green and Shipley Weir Ltd’s Sports Ground at Wanstead for £201. Club rule 9 was amended so that the Captains of the Sunday sides would be elected by the Players Meeting instead of being appointed by the Selection Committee. Bunny Swinfen was presented with a silver cigarette box in recognition of 17 years service as Secretary since 1955. During this period he never missed a meeting or |Club function. A colt named Peter Joslin became the youngest player to score a hundred at Forest Side and was presented with a Club cap.

Hon Secretary’s Report 1972

Congratulations are due to Fred Smith for preparing a wicket which even the Essex 2^nd XI cricketers were satisfied but it was a bit much expecting the Club to use the same strip for the next three weekends!

It is sad to see that Andy Lewis is past his prime. In 1971 he took 7-7 v Chelmsford but in 1972 the best he could do was 7-8 v Old Brentwoods.