1697 To 1725 English Cricket Seasons - 1724

London v Dartford is the earliest known match at Kennington Common, where (it is believed) The Oval is now sited.

This match featured the combined parishes of Penshurst, Tunbridge and Wadhurst versus Dartford. It is reported in a diary entry by one John Dawson, who may have watched it. No details are known but as Dartford was already recognised as a leading club, it may have been a great cricket match as Mr Dawson says.

This match seems to be the earliest reference to cricket being played in Essex (if at Chingford) or by an Essex team. The game echoed the one in 1718 as the Chingford team refused to play to a finish when Mr Stead's team had the advantage. A court case followed and, as in 1718, it was ordered to be played out presumably so that all wagers could be fulfilled. We know that Lord Chief Justice Pratt presided over the case and that he ordered them to play it out on Dartford Brent, though it is not known if this was the original venue. The game was completed in 1726.

Mr Edward Stead (sometimes called Edwin Steed) of Maidstone was a noted patron of early 18th century cricket, especially in his native Kent.