This extract is copied from the Thornbury Cricket Club Centenary Handbook 1871 – 1971 by kind permission of Thornbury Cricket club
“In Thornbury’s first year in 1871 Dr. Edward Mills Grace – ‘The Little Doctor’ – scored 102 not out against Lansdown and in the return game 140, while against Bedminster he was undefeated for 202. The following year, the Club’s first season on the present ground at ‘The Ship’ at Alveston he enjoyed his best season ever as a batsman, scoring 1,987 runs for an average of 141.9. He also took 146 wickets for less than five runs each.
The club prospered and in 1919 came amalgamation with the Thornbury Castle Club. We move on to 1920 before other playing facts come to light.
In that year the team was really integrated and with a big improvement in the ground and wickets generally there were some good results and many enjoyable games. The Club could consider themselves unlucky to lose six matches, while no fewer than seven games had to be scratched because of rain. A new member, Major C. L. Veal, proved a great acquisition to the team, topping the batting with 815 runs (average 25) including three centuries, and with Edgar Grace putting on 246 for the first wicket v. Clifton at the Ship, his share being 120. On two other occasions he and the skipper sent up the hundred together. As a bowler Edgar finished second with 12 wickets at 7.3 runs each, but was pipped at the post for first place by Bill Curtis, who at 54 topped the averages with 101 wickets for seven runs apiece.
There were two very exciting games in 1921, the first being the popular Bank Holiday fixture against the Bohemians at the Ship. Thornbury batted first and scored 46, after which the Bohemians replied with 55. Going in again Thornbury declared at 133 for nine and routed the visitors for 58, gaining a splendid vic¬tory by 66 runs. The Bohemians, however, claimed that they had won the match on the first innings and refused to admit that they had been beaten. This was followed by another argumentative game at Stroud where Thornbury again batted first, scoring 131. The home team replied with 128-9 but when they had made another two runs the spectators, thinking that they had won, started cheering madly and the Thornbury side, who imagined that the match was over, left the field and started changing. It was then that the scorers decided that Stroud were still two runs short of victory, whereupon the Stroud captain, Dr. M. Munden, tried to persuade Edgar to order his team out on to the field again. It was, however, now long past the time for drawing stumps and Edgar refused, claiming victory by a single run, while Dr. Munden asserted that Stroud had won by one wicket.
It was in 1921 that Thornbury had their first look at young Walter Hammond, who played for Gloucestershire against the club at the Ship and showed obvious signs of becoming a really excellent medium paced bowler. He had all the local batsmen in trouble, dismissing seven of them for 25 runs. But unfortunately he twisted his ankle while fielding and had to come in late in the order. Even so, he played a delightful innings of 14 not out.
Major Veal scored a brilliant 133 against the United Services and on the same ground – The Ship – hit up 108 for the Berkeley Hunt v the Beaufort Hunt. Once again Bill Curtis, now in his 56th year, bowled extraordinarily well, taking 94 wickets for an average of eight, while Edgar, although definitely more expensive, captured 63 at a cost of 15 runs apiece.
Mention must also be made of another remarkable match against Newport, when Archie Penduck, returning for a spell with the Grange Club in Edinburgh, took four wickets without conceding a single run, his final analysis being six overs, six maidens, no runs, four wickets, while at the other end J. Collins captured the other six at a cost of only five runs, Newport being skittled out for a total of eight, which included three byes!
The following season the bowling was literally dominated by Bill Curtis, who bowled better than ever, taking half the wickets in nearly every game to finish with 83 for an average of nine and was chiefly responsible for Thornbury winning as many matches -11- as they lost.
During the summer the club mourned the loss of W. Clutterbuck, a man of very curious gait as the result of which he was popularly known as ‘A Quarter To Three’. Despite this he kept wicket for the club for many years before the first War, and when he retired from active participation made himself generally useful, looking after E.M. and also the club’s baggage. He eventually became the club umpire and although some of his decisions might have shown a slight bias the majority were very correct.
1923 was a fairly successful season for Thornbury, whose batting was strengthened by the inclusion of W. L. Neale, whose application for membership was accepted with enthusiasm when he decided he wanted to play on better wickets than those at Berkeley and also felt he would do better against stronger opponents. An innings of 110 not out against Chipping Sodbury led to his being invited to play for Gloucestershire before he was really ready for first-class cricket. His native cheek, however, carried him through his first three matches, after which he went through a rather unsuccessful period before blossoming into a regular member of the side when he turned professional and became the perfect partner for his former school-mate, Wally Hammond.
Norman Grace, who was now a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, was only able to play occasionally, but topped the bowling averages with 17 wickets at a cost of six runs each and was selected to play for the Navy v. The Army at Lords.
H. V. Gillett, a schoolmaster at Winchester who used to come into the side during August, headed the batting, scoring 201 runs for an average of 37, with Billy Neale second with 550 and an average of 34. Bill Curtis and Edgar each took 78 wickets while in one match Norman captured five for 17.
During August 1923 Thornbury were able to put a very strong side into the field, selected from: – Edgar and Norman Grace; H. V. Gillett; W. L. Neale; Major Veal; Jack Hodges; Bob Burchell; A. D’A. Burbidge; Captain R. A. Bennett; R. Chestermaster and H. A. Ford.
It should be mentioned here that T. C. Smith (The Tailor), who had distinguished himself as a fielder at long-on when Thornbury were performing great deeds from 1870-1918 and then became secretary and often captain of the 2nd XI when it was created, turned out in 1923 at the age of 72, taking three wickets for 36 runs as well as scoring 66 runs in 13 innings with a top score of 20 not out! The old man enjoyed the game so much that he would have gone on playing indefinitely, but because he would insist on fielding either at point or silly point it was felt that the danger was so great that it was decided to stop him playing by not selecting him!
W. L. Neale improved tremendously in 1924 with both bat and ball, hitting up no fewer than 572 runs for an average of 31.7 and taking 40 wickets for only five runs apiece, and coming top in both batting and bowling averages. Edgar, too, continued to show excel¬lent all-round form, 300 runs giving him a batting average of 20, while his tag’ of wickets was 58 at a cost of just under 12 runs each. But it was the evergreen Bill Curtis who, in his 59th year, continued to bowl out his opponents – 74 of them for an average of no more than 6.9!
A. C. Smith scored a very good not out century against Berkeley, hitting a lovely six right over the oak tree, while two new members, Gilbert Pullin and A. K. Petter, both did very well and although in the opinion of a great many the former was considered to be a better bat than Billy Neale he failed to gain a place in the County side because of his rather curious temperament.
1925 was a very poor season from a results point of view, only nine games being won as against 19 defeats, with one drawn game and four matches scratched. But in other respects it proved very enjoyable and there were several very close finishes, while F. Biddle and R. Tucker bowled really well and established themselves in the XI.
Bill Curtis, now approaching 60, again bowled remarkably well before his health failed – 267 overs, 74 maidens, 630 runs, 71 wickets for an average of eight. His final performance, when playing as an emergency eleventh man, was truly astonishing – 12 overs, eight maidens, six runs, six wickets – a wonderful finish to his long and very successful association with the club.
In 1926 the new groundsman, George Collins, proved a great success while Billy Neale did well to head both batting and bowling averages although playing in only five matches, scoring 105 runs for an average of 37, and taking 17 wickets for just over four runs apiece. It was rather ironic that his best innings of 113 not out was scored for Stinchcombe against Thornbury. Both Edgar and Major Veal batted consistently, while the bowling honours belonged to Gilbert Pullin and Norman Grace. New members included Dr. D. C. Prowse and the Rev. C. J. B. Webb and his son, but the event of the season was when E. M. (Teddy) Grace junior made his first appearance for Thornbury at the age of 11 v. Stone, being undefeated for one.
1927 was another year of bad weather conditions, but even so, very enjoyable, several matches providing interesting and close finishes, 12 being won, 11 lost, four drawn and three scratched. Only one century was scored for the club – 143 by Edgar – and none against, and Edgar topped the batting with an average of 29.8 while Biddle headed the bowling with 36 wickets for 6.3 runs apiece. The most successful bowler, however, was Jack Hodges, whose 69 wickets cost him only 0.3 runs more than Biddle’s, but Gilbert Pullin was also in fine form, capturing 63 wickets for eight runs apiece.
The following season was one of the most success¬ful enjoyed by the Club for a long time, of the 25 matches played, 13 being won and only five lost, while the other 7 were drawn and 2 scratched. The drawn games were mostly in Thornbury’s favour, time alone saving their opponents from defeat. There was a marked improvement both batting and bowling, eight players returning batting averages of over 20, while nine bowlers averaged under 13. On several occasions a first wicket partnership between Edgar Grace and A. K. Potter or Gilbert Pullin realised over 100 runs, the best stand being 140 against Robinson’s, when Edgar made 89 and Potter 69. R. P. Keigwin scored the only century – 119 not out v. The Optimists, and there were several scores of 50 and over, the most notable being Norman Grace’s 86 in thirty-five minutes, including a six and 17 fours. Edgar Grace, Jack Hodges and Gilbert Pullin were the most consistent in both batting and bowling, while Biddle bowled very well at the start of the innings, while two newcomers, J. Harker and C. Reynolds both bowled very well when available.
In 1929 the Club amalgamated with the newly-formed Thornbury Town Club and, altogether this was another very successful and enjoyable season. The first XI was nearly up to County standard when, Edgar Grace, Major Veal, Jack Hodges, Gilbert Pullin, Norman Grace, A. K. Potter, J. Harker, S. Wood and the three Gillett brothers C.R., H.V. and Guy were all available. The ground and wickets being in exceptionally good condition throughout the fine summer. The Club won ten matches, lost four, drew ten and three were scratched owing to rain. On no fewer than twelve occasions Thornbury declared; four centuries were scored – three by Gilbert Pullin, the other by H. Pitts, while R. P. Keigwin reached 99 not out, Jack Hodges 93 and Norman Grace 91. Members were greatly saddened by the deaths of two exceptionally good players during this year – Dr. A. H. Grace and Major C. L. Veal, both of whom had rendered valuable service to the Club.
Despite very poor weather in 1930 the Club enjoyed yet another happy and successful season, winning 18 matches, losing only 8 with 4 drawn.
1931 was a disastrously wet summer, as a result of which no fewer than 12 first XI and 7 second XI matches had to be scratched, but of the remaining 27, the Club won 12, lost 7 and drew 8.
1932 will be remembered as a very good season indeed, in which Captain H. V. Gillett devoted a great deal of his time to any players who wished to improve their play. The first XI won 23 matches losing only 10 and drawing 3. There were many exceptionally good bowling performances by Gilbert Pullin, F. Pullin, J. Harker, R. Jackson and G. Riddiford. Gilbert Pullin was in fine all-round form while Harker’s batting showed tremendous improvement. It was during this season that A. Williams scored the first century for the 2nd XI, who enjoyed a far stronger fixture list than hitherto. For the 1st XI J. Collins took 45 wickets at a cost of only 4 runs each, while F. Biddle also bowled well capturing 60 for an average of 7. Against the Bristol Optimists Edgar Grace (65) and R. P. Keigwin (49) put on 105 for the opening stand, while in the match versus Listers the Skipper was again in fine form, scoring 87, and with Gilbert Pullin, adding 127 for the second wicket. An otherwise happy summer was saddened by the death of one of Thornbury’s most promising young players, Alan Horder.
Edgar Grace, now in his 47th year, enjoyed one of his best summers in 1933, scoring 743 runs with a top score of 68 for an average of 28.5. In all matches he totalled no fewer than 1,193 runs, maintaining the Grace tradition. It is, I think, worthy of record, that his father, Dr. E. M. Grace, when he too was in his 47th year in 1886, scored 2,016 runs as well as taking 224 wickets, while W.G. at the same age, not only made 1,000 runs in May, but also completed his one hundredth century in first-class cricket. Another curious coincidence was that R. P. Keigwin played his finest innings for Thornbury – 170 in 120 minutes – in HIS 47th year. Some remarkably fine bowling feats were recorded by J. Hodges, who took 5 wickets for 5 runs against the Optimists, and also by Norman Grace, J. Harker, R. W. Jackson and the brothers Pullin, while J. G. Wicks kept wicket with great keenness, and when he was unable to turn out, George Ord proved a very capable substitute behind the stumps.
1934 was an even more successful season with really beautiful weather, resulting in a distinct improvement in the character of the wickets, while Edgar Grace’s luck was astonishing and he won the toss no fewer than 24 times out of 31! 17 matches were won, 8 lost and 9 drawn. A new wicket-keeper was dis¬covered in Jack Tilley, who was awarded his ‘cap’. Captain H. V Gillett continued to coach the younger members with much success and the President, Major A. H. S. Howard, presented the Club with a bat made from willow grown on the Castle estate, which proved to be a very good one.
Although 13 matches were lost in 1935 compared with 8 the previous year, Thornbury, winning 14 games with 9 drawn and 4 scratched, enjoyed another happy season. The new Grammar School Master, Mr. S. J. V. Rouch, who had played for Bristol University, was a very useful addition to the side, strengthening the bat¬ting very considerably. For the 2nd XI A. Williams topped the batting averages while R. Tucker, the captain, and W. Poole, vice-captain, put in most excellent work both on and off the field, thereby ensuring a very enjoyable season.
It was singularly unfortunate that in 1936 adverse weather caused many matches to be drawn or scratched during this memorable season, for Thornbury had succeeded in securing a fixture with a strong M.C.C. XI, which proved a most enjoyable game. The Club’s record was 11 matches won, 12 lost, 13 drawn and 4 scratched.
1937 was an enjoyable year of many records and some disappointments. There were several exciting finishes, and best of all, not one Saturday fixture was scratched through rain, 16 games being won, 14 lost, 10 drawn and a Tie. A new fixture against Clevedon on their ground produced a memorable game. Thornbury, batting first, declared at 183 for 8, with R. P. Keigwin 88 not out (the only score he required to equal W.G.’s record of scoring every figure from 0 to 100). Harris had to bowl the final over with only 3 runs needed to win with 3 wickets still standing. As they were only able to make 2, the match ended in a tie amid great excitement. Keigwin enjoyed a splendid season, easily topping the batting averages with 56.6, his last five innings realising 97, 84, 88 not out, 58 and 41 not out – a grand total of 368 runs and an average of 122.66! Counting all games he totalled nearly 2000 runs – at the age of 54!
Although the clouds of World War II were beginning to emerge in 1938, it was yet another good season, characterised by a great many close and exciting finishes. Cold winds prevailed until the end of June, while a Spring drought affected wickets, with the result that not a single century was scored for the Club, and only one by our opponents. On no occasion did the opposition total over 200 runs in an innings, but the Club exceeded this total in six matches. Notable ‘hat- tricks’ were performed by Mayo and Tucker, who were backed up by excellent fielding. Of the 40 matches played, 16 were won, 17 lost and 7 drawn.
Mr. J. G. Wicks, who represented Thornbury on the County Committee, worked very hard and successfully for Reg. Sinfield’s Benefit, for which the Club raised £54. On August 29th a match was played on the ‘Ship’ ground between a County XI and Dr. Edgar Grace’s XI, which was won by the latter team by 68 runs! It is only right to mention that they had the assistance of R. W. Haynes, Dick Stephen, B. E. W. Henson and Cliff Monks, totalling 159. Harris bowled well to take 3 for 36, but the honours belonged to Mayo, who returned the splendid figures of 7 for 20 as the County were put out for 91. Great disappointment was felt at the absence of Walter Hammond, Charles Barnett, George Emmett and Tom Goddard, all of whom had promised to appear for the County, but were prevented from playing at the last moment.
A more than usually wet July in 1939 caused many games to be scratched or abandoned and the abrupt closure, with six matches still to be played did not help matters. Even so the Club enjoyed a successful summer winning 20 matches, losing 8 with 7 drawn. The Clifton Crocodiles match on August 2nd needs a full description. The visiting team was composed of Past and Present Clifton College Colours. Thombury batting first, scored 104, a rather inadequate total against such strong opposition, but Bob Mayo then changed the complexion of the game completely by performing his record double ‘hat-trick’. He had one run scored off each of his first two overs, his third was a wicket maiden and after no runs had come off his fourth over, he bowled Jarrett with the third ball of his fifth over, had Horsford lbw with his fourth ball, bowled Cowper with the fifth ball, Meade-King also bowled by his sixth, Imlay was out in exactly the same manner with his seventh, and finally Openshaw hit the eighth ball towards leg, where Hosken, fielding at deep fine leg, ran in very quickly and diving as if scoring a try at rugger, brought off a marvellous catch after the ball had been deflected upwards and legwards by Reg. Gyles, keeping wicket. Thus Bob performed a consecutive double ‘hat-trick’, made all the more creditable as the wicket was soft and the ball wet, there having been a slight storm during the tea interval between the innings, a big handicap to a fast bowler. With Mayo returning the impressive figures of 8 for 7, while Pitts took the remaining wickets for 14 runs, the Crocodiles were routed for 27, leaving Thornbury the victors by 77 runs.
There was an occasion, however, when Bob Mayo met his match at the hands of the Master Bakers – 44 runs being scored off him in 5 overs for only 1 wicket. His biggest disappointment was in the final match against Bishopston on the County Ground, when a truly remarkable catch by G. Buse off Jack Hodges, which dismissed the last batsman, robbed him of the distinction of all ten wickets – his final figures were 9 for 50. Another outstanding bowling feat was when Harris and Mayo, bowling unchanged, dismissed the Civil Service in 10 overs for 33 runs.
At the Annual General Meeting on January 29th, 1940, the President, Major A. H. S. Howard, presented Bob Mayo with the ball with which he had taken six wickets with successive balls.
Despite the many difficulties the Club enjoyed a successful season in 1940 winning 15 matches, losing 8 and only one being left drawn. R. P. Keigwin, now in his 58th year, yet again displayed splendid form and topped the batting averages with 42.7, while Gerald Grace came second with 36. Bob Mayo and J. Thompson showed much improved form with the bat while the bowling, too, reached a very high standard.
1941 being the Centenary of the birth of the great ‘Little Doctor’ Edward Mills Grace, it was appropriate that Thornbury C.C., now 70 years of age, should continue with yet another interesting and successful season. The outstanding innings of the season was a splendid 110 not out by George Ord against the Maritime Regiment. Once again Bill Harris was in devastating form with the ball taking 86 wickets at a cost of 5.8 runs each, including 7 for 22 against a very strong Knowle Xl. W. Harrison performed the ‘hat-trick’ while Ron Blanchard’s wicket-keeping was remarkably good.
1942 and 1943 were both difficult seasons during which the Club were further handicapped by very bad weather, many games being ruined by the rain.
1944 proved a very successful season for war time, the Club scoring 2,827 runs for an average of 20.3. At the age of 61, the ‘Evergreen’ R. P. Keigwin had an astonishing season averaging over 58 runs per innings, twice scoring 84 not out, while Edgar Grace, three years his junior, came second with an average of 25 and a top score of 81. There were many excellent bowling performances and the team’s fielding was also of a high standard. The bowling honours went yet again to Bill Harris who captured 39 wickets for an average of 6.4.
With the cessation of hostilities, the Club enjoyed a very successful season with averages unusually high. G. F. Grace topped the batting with an average of 45.2, while Bill Harris captured 82 wickets for only 4.5 runs each.
1946 saw conditions gradually returning to some¬thing approaching normality, but the Club has a very disappointing season, due chiefly to inclement weather and lack of practice. The batting was weak and incon¬sistent and the bowling also failed unaccountably at times. This resulted in only 5 games being won, 8 lost, 5 drawn and 7 rained off.
In complete contrast to the previous summer, 1947 was really delightful and the Club enjoyed a very successful season. The outstanding features were the consistently good batting of Gilbert Pullin and the excellent bowling of Bill Harris and Bob Mayo while Ron Blanchard kept wicket with distinction. The Club won 13, lost 7 with 9 drawn which showed a masked improvement over 1946. The game played for Charlie Barnett’s Benefit Fund was most successful, the Club declaring at 244 for 6, Gilbert Pullin (65) and Tony Hignell (90). When stumps were drawn the County had scored 182 for 5.
The season of 1948 proved to be very disappointing – ten matches being cancelled because of rain. The Club finally won 12, lost 10 with 8 drawn; A. Diment headed the batting with 29.8, and A. Hignell the bowling with 17 wickets for an average of 6.2.
The fine summer of 1949 produced some very enjoyable cricket, the Club winning 15, losing 9 with 10 drawn, 4,838 runs being scored for 266 wickets. A. Hignell topped the batting with an average of 61, supported by A. Diment (38) and P. Setchell (30.7). The bowling averages were headed by W. Harris with 14 wickets for 7.2 followed by Derrick Hawkins with 19 wickets for 8.3.
1950 was a disappointing season with very bad weather at the beginning and the end. Nevertheless the 2nd XI captained by W. Poole had a successful season with valuable service of Dick Leakey and Les Prosser with Don Biddle and Derrick Hawkins among the younger members. A. Diment scored the only century of the season and topped the batting averages with 49. Bob Mayo continued to bowl well and headed the bowling averages with 5.7, taking 9 for 11 against the Lincoln Imps. John Sage also bowled well returning a good average of 9.5. Ron Blanchard behind the wickets caught 7 and stumped 12. For the 2nd XI Dick Leakey had a good season scoring 158 runs, average 16, and taking 46 wickets. Don Biddle and Derrick Hawkins were also strong in the batting and Roy Vizard’s fielding really good.
The 1951 season was marred by the weather. The 1st XI won 13 matches, lost 5 and drew 16. Dennis Hawkins, Ron and Don Blanchard returned averages of over 22 and Bob Mayo headed the bowling with an average of 9. Many good bowling performances were accomplished by G. F. Grace (7 for 15), John Riddle (5 for 6), G. Ord (6 for 26) and George Andain (5 for 29). Jack Crapp’s Benefit match was ruined by the weather, Thornbury declaring at 129 for 1, the County being 5 runs short at the close with 7 wickets in hand.
In 1952 the Club had a successful season winning 15, losing 8 with 7 drawn. There were several close and exciting finishes and amongst the highlights Capt. N. V. Grace took all ten wickets against Redland College. There was a remarkable game against Bristol Wayfarers, the Club declaring at 257 for 6 (Tony Hignell 103), Dennis Hawkins (81 not out) and Dick Leakey (43). The Wayfarers opening pair, Syd Wills (154) and Reynolds (103) hit off the runs to win in the last over by 10 wickets-518 runs scored in under 4 hours! Tony Hignell scored 141 against Oldbury and topped the batting averages with 76. R. Howse celebrated his first season with the Club by scoring 515 runs. Bob Mayo claimed the bowling honours with 33 wickets for an average of 3 while Sage took 32 wickets, Setchell 47 and Ord 30.
1953 was another good season, the 1st XI winning 16 games, losing 7 with 6 drawn. The highlight of the season was the match against Gloster Etceteras; the Club declared at tea with 189 for 8 Dennis Hawkins 61) and Tony Hignell (49). The Etceteras, at full strength, had scored 91 for 4 when little Pat Hawkins started to bowl at the Ship end. He proceeded to dismiss the remainder for a total of 144 taking 6 for 23 – a very fine achievement for a lad of 14 years! Dennis Hawkins topped the batting averages with 32.4 and C. Hosegood headed the bowling taking 13 wickets for an average of 6.9.
The 1954 season was extremely wet and cold. The 1st XI won 6 games, lost 4 and drew 5 with 7 rained off. Dr. Tony Hignell scored 132 not out against the Civil Service and Don Biddle performed the ‘hat-trick’ against the Gloster Constabulary taking 5 for 7. J. Gyles headed the batting with 44.5 while J. Biddle topped the bowling with an average of 5.
1955 was more favourable weatherwise and the 1st XI played 27 games, winning 6 losing 12 with 9 drawn. R. Howse had a good season scoring 109 and 86 against Soundwell and topping the batting averages with 36.6. P. Setchell took the bowling honours with 44 wickets for an average of 11.3.
The 1956 season produced some excellent cricket, the 1st XI won 10 matches, lost 9 and drew 3. Derrick Hawkins headed the batting with an average of 42 and the bowling with 33 wickets for an average of 5. Ian Hamilton topped the batting for the 2nd XI with an average of 19.77 and J. Smith the bowling taking 26 wickets for an average of 12.33. At the end of the season P. W. Setchell resigned the captaincy and R. G. Howse took over.
1957 was a very poor summer for cricket with rain persisting. Ron Blanchard headed the batting averages with 20.16 and R. Maddison the bowling taking 9 for 6.99, R. Leakey was second with 45 wickets for 7.28 each.
The Club enjoyed a fairly successful season in 1958, the 1st XI winning 11 matches, losing 6 with 4 drawn. Robinson’s, Pessimists, Civil Service, Electricity, Upton St. Leonards and Frenchay were all beaten – then against Soundwell, away, came disaster. Scoring 257 for 4 the home side set a hard target but Thombury battled hard and only lost in the last over of the game. The highest score of the season was John Lewis’s 77 against Electricity, the best bowling performance being that of Les Gulwell (7 for 22) against Upton St. Leonards. R. Longden topped the bowling averages and Dennis Hawkins the batting – Melvin Went took 15 catches and stumped 10.
The summer of 1959 was perfect weatherwise, yet the performance of the 1st XI did not equal it in their records – 8 matches won, 8 lost and 5 drawn. The batting averages were again headed by Derick Hawkins, whilst T. East took the bowling honours with an average of 12.3 from 243 overs followed by Les Gulwell who bowled 225 overs for an average of 13.1. An out¬standing performance was that of Terry East against Gloster Nondescripts, when batting at No. 9 he scored 47 and then proceeded to take 7 for 38. Against St. George both Willie Poole and Jack Tilley scored 70. The new fixture with South Gloucester proved a hard one – they declared at 198 for 6, and the Club with C. Stephens 43 not out and Melvin Went 32 just managed to draw.
The final findings of the 1960 season were not too good, 6 games were won, 10 lost and 10 drawn. The highest score of the season was Jack Dunham’s 70 against Civil Service, the best bowling performance was 7 for 19 by Terry East against Soundwell. Les Gulwell bowled well and was one short of his 50. Roger Longdon turned in the best all round performance taking 36 wickets and scoring 252 runs.
1961 was a very encouraging season. 36 1st XI and Sunday matches, were played – 13 won, 13 drawn and 10 lost. Against Bishopston the Club scored over 200 helped by a fine 99 from Jack Dunham. Pat Hawkins scored an undefeated 76 against Robinson’s. The most consistent batsmen were Jack Dunham, John Leslie, and Graham Gambling, supported by Pat Hawkins, Roger Longdon and John and Jim Blair. Terry East, Les Gulwell, Brian Loveridge and John Sage were the main bowlers. The 2nd XI with Des Lansdown had a very successful season, playing 21 matches and winning 12.
1962 was quite a pleasant season with Jack Dunham and Tim Pollard heading the batting and Terry East the bowling. Mike Claydon became a useful member. The 2nd XI had a successful season winning 10 out of 19 games played.
G. Gamblin headed the batting averages for 1963 with 28.5 and R. Waterhouse topped the bowling taking 39 wickets for an average of 7.23. For the 2nd XI K. Tait had an average of 38.8 and J. Blair took 15 wickets for an average of 6. Some excellent cricket was enjoyed by the Sunday XI with C. Lambert as captain.
The 1st XI played 18 games during the 1964 season, winning 8, losing 6 with 4 drawn. Dennis Hawkins scored 347 runs for an average of 24.8. R. Waterhouse topped the bowling with 48 wickets for an average of 8.4 with Derrick Hawkins close behind. For the 2nd XI P. Ball and Mike Claydon headed the batting and A. Beale the bowling.
1965. This was the season when many of the opposing sides often ‘put Op the shutters’ early in the evening, determined not to lose. This was evident in the final records, when out of 19 games played no fewer than 9 were drawn, 6 won and 4 lost. Reg Waterhouse produced some fine bowling figures, 227 overs, 88 maidens, 53 wickets for 349 runs. Cliff Monks, Alan Taylor and Melvyn Went scored the majority of the runs.
The 1966 season started badly with a disastrous batting collapse; Civil Service were dismissed for 136 and the, Club, with an opening partnership of 78 by Alan Taylor and Melvyn Went failed to reach 100. The next couple of games produced scored of less than this. After this bad start the Club’s performances improved considerably and the final record showed 13 matches won, 4 lost and 3 drawn. The batting for the season was headed by Derrick Hawkins averaging 26.14 and R. Waterhouse second with 19.8. In the bowling Les Gulwell took 44 wickets at an average of 8.38 with Brian Loveridge 42 wickets for 10.35. The 2nd XI played 18 matches, winning 10, with S. Lambert topping the batting averages with 30.
Season 1967 featured the first game against Abergavenny which the Club won, mainly due to a last wicket stand of 16 between Les Gulwell and Brian Loveridge. Further victories were recorded against the London New Zealanders Club, Civil Service, Bristol 40 Club, and Alveston. In the Shirehampton game Pat Hawkins gave a superb batting display scoring 110. This season the Club reached the semi-final of the Gloucester 6-a-side Competition. Bowling honours went to Brian Loveridge, 44 wickets average 9.5, Rodney Poole 29 wickets average 9.6 and Les Gulwell 46 wickets average 11.3. The latter taking 6 for 12 against Dowty Staverton who were beaten by 60 runs.
Rain marred the 1968 season and only 18 games were played by the 1st XI of which 8 were won, 3 lost and the remainder drawn. Many young players came into the 1s1 XI this season and certainly proved themselves with both bat and ball – Mike Grace, Phil Day, Steve Lambert, Bill Cason and Gerry Curtis were there to stay. John Butterfield and Keith Garraway proved themselves mighty hitters of the ball and also very useful bowlers. M. Grace headed the batting averages with 255 runs average 42.5. In a Sunday XI game Phil Day scored 106 in a win against Marie Hill and Gerry Curtis scored 60 against Gloster Dowty. The Club topped the 200 mark against London New Zealanders, due, in the main, to Derrick Hawkins’ 96. Other good individual performances included Gerald Grace 60 v. Bristol 40 Club, Melvin Went 89 not out v. Portishead, Pat Hawkins 88 not out v. Bristol St. George.
1969 proved to be a season of variety both in cricket and weather. The 1st XI played 23 matches, won 13, lost 9 and drew 1. Early wins were recorded over Carsons and the London New Zealanders but were beaten by Winget and Winscombe. Y.M.C.A. were also beaten mainly due to the bowling of John Sage who took 5 for 17. During the season the Club entered a 40-over Competition in which they did very well – beating Downend at Downend in the semi-final but losing the final on the County Ground. The Club won the area six-a-side competition but were later beaten by Stinchcombe Stragglers who, eventually won the Competition.
The 1st XI played 23 matches during the 1970 season of which 10 were won, 7 lost and 6 drawn. John Gunnery topped the batting averages with 409 runs average 34.1 followed by Mike Grace with 303 runs average 25.3; Rodney Poole with 50 wickets for 8.3 headed the bowling. The 2nd XI under Ray Vizard’s captaincy had a good season winning 10 matches out of 17. The Whitbread Cup game against Lydney produced some very good cricket, the Club scored 176 for 6 (M. Grace 71) but were eventually beaten in the last over. Carsons were beaten by 86 runs (Dererick Hawkins 7 for 43) and the Winscombe game was won by 90 runs with John Butterfield just failing to reach his second 100 of the season. The Club also played the Cornish Crusaders, a touring side, and scored 197 for 3 (John Gunnery 82) the visitors having lost 8 for 65 when rain stopped play.