A Review of the 1957 Season
Although Lawn Tennis disappeared from the Club’s name in 1957, non-cricketing activities were still going strong. The darts section suffered only one defeat, a winter golf section was set up and Ken Dowding claimed the President’s Putter.
Despite winning the first game, the 1st XI had a poor season but the team was revitalised by the arrival of Ron Lynch , a Club Cricket Conference and Essex player who moved across from Ilford. The team ended the season on a high, winning the last six games on the trot, including a 10 wicket win over Highgate and Ilford’s first defeat of the season . Ron was presented with the mounted match ball after a game at Alexandra Park where he took 8-10 with his left arm spin bowling. The top run scorers were Ken Dowding (368), Ted Sandrock (350) and Bill Jeffrey (348). The top wicket takers were Bunny Swinfen (29), Buddy Jessop (28) and Les Warner who captured 7-24 v Romford in his tally of 25
In the seconds there was a mixed bag of results, but Peter Downe and Frank Mixter were always amongst the runs. Les Warner took 29 wickets including six wickets in each of the home and away matches with Edmonton
The 3rd eleven scorebook still exists and the record from 21 games was Won 8 , Drawn 9 and Lost 4 including a great run where 5 wins came from the 5 Saturdays in June. Top run scorers were Mick Carr (480) , including a century v Barnet , Bunford with 416 and Jack Watson 259 while a youthful Peter Norgate crashed 89 v Loughton. On the bowling side Roy Harris took 41 wickets at 11 apiece while Noel Corbett (29) and Lol Addy (22) provided consistent back up.Paddy Carnell took an amazing 7-26 v Buckhurst Hill off just 5.5 overs !
The Extra 3rds had a set of inconsistent results from a set of local fixtures with the furthest venture to just Becontree, where a youthful Harry Davis took 6-29. 13 year old Geoff Sandrock’s name appeared in the scorebook for the first time.
The Sunday As managed just 4 wins and Buddy Jessop took 6-29 v Old Esthameians.
Terry Dennehy turned in a superb bowling performance in the last game of the Sunday Bs , capturing 6-29 v Walthamstow Nalgo ( who I believe Del Steward told me went on to become Rota CC)
Winter of 1957-8 saw the construction of a clubhouse extension which was ready for the new season, the architect was one Cliff Crafer.
Finally I’m not sure what the current groundsman would have made of the 6 a side club match scheduled for Sunday 13 October!