A Review of the 1964 Season
Robin Hobbs reached the England Squad in 1964 – only seven years previously he had been performing in the Extra 3rd Eleven. Even so to his great credit, he still found time to turn out for the Club when he could.
At the start of the season the reveloutionary Ted Lord was interviewed by the Guardian as the headline read Chingford say:”Let’s go League”
The article read:
League cricket is planned by Chingford Cricket Club. The side that produced players like Doug Insole and Robin Hobbs wants local clubs to join in forming the first league table.
“Think of the edge it would give the games” said committee member Mr. Edward Lord. “A league would form a focal interest on all the matches that the senior local clubs play. Result – a greater sense of competition because captains would be trying harder to achieve definite results and more people would be tempted to watch the games.” Mr. Lord, a Stoke-on-Trent man, who grew up with league cricket, has already sounded out a number of local clubs. Walthamstow and Highams Park have shown interest and now Mr. Lord wants a meeting of the top clubs to plan a league for next season.
“If any clubs are interested perhaps they would contact me” said Mr. Lord of 10 Station Road, Chingford.
Another successful season left the 1st XI winning eleven games from twenty two, with eight draws and only three defeats. Buddy Jessop had two consecutive big wicket hauls following up a 6-16 v Edmonton with 5-47 v Buckhurst Hill. Meanwhile Bryan Hart took 5-36 as Wanstead were skittled for just 77. The highest scores we know about were 79 not, 69 and 67 by Ken Dowding against Chelmsford, Winchmore Hill and Woodford Wells respectively.
In the seconds Bunny Swinfen captured 6-54 from 20 overs against Wanstead.
The 3rd Eleven notched up sixteen victories.
The Extra Third Eleven book survives, and there were 5 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats in a programme of 16 matches. David Jones led the bowling attack capturing 38 wickets, including 7-71 against Buckhurst Hill and 6fers in the matches against Old Parkonians and Calthorpe while Les Stubbings took 8-26 against Northampton Exiles. Ted Alston took 23 wickets aswell. Top run scorers were Noel Westerhout with 310 and Oliver Dennis with 286.
There was sad news with the death of Mr J Wisbey, a Club member for fifty years and an active participant of the defunct Tennis section.