Slindon Cricket Club - 1744 Season

1744 Season

The year of the famous Slindon Challenge.

Monday 23 April marked the death of Sir William Gage, 7th Baronet (1695 – 1744) who was one of the greatest of cricket’s early patrons, especially in his native Sussex, though it is not actually known if he was involved with Slindon. He always enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Richmond and it is possible he did share in Slindon's fortunes.

The London Daily Advertiser carried various notices from Thursday 31 May until Sunday 3 June which announced that two untitled sides would play in the Artillery Ground on Saturday 2 June. On 31 May, the paper said that the teams would consist of "four gentlemen from Slindon, one from Eastbourne, two from Hamilton (sic) in Sussex, one from Addington and three from Lingfield in Surrey" against "four gentlemen of London, one from Richmond, one from Reigate, three from Addington in Surrey, one from Bray Wick in Berkshire and one from Arundel in Sussex". This was followed by the usual reminder about no dogs and the need to obtain a pass ticket if leaving the ground during play.

The Daily Advertiser changed its notice on Friday 1 June through 2 and 3 June by confusingly announcing the names of the players on each side. However, the names in the paper are not the same as those on the earliest known cricket scorecard kept by the Duke of Richmond. The same (i.e., incorrect) names were also reported on 3 June, the day after the match. The paper announced that the two teams would consist of: Cuddy (i.e., Edward Aburrow senior), Richard Newland, Adam Newland, John Newland, Ridgeway, Green (all of Sussex); William Sawyer, Stevens, Stevens, Collins (all of Surrey); and Norris of London versus Stephen Dingate, John Harris, Joseph Harris, Tom Faulkner, George Jackson, Maynard (all of Surrey); ? Bryant (Bromley), George Smith, ? Bennett, Howlett (all of London); and the famous all-rounder Thomas Waymark, now of Berkshire. No titles were given to the teams.

According to the Duke of Richmond’s papers, which are now in the possession of the West Sussex Records Office, including the recorded scores of this match, the teams were somewhat different from those advertised. The scorecard is currently the earliest known in which individual and team scores are recorded but it lacks details of dismissal.

Slindon: Edward Aburrow (aka Cuddy), ? Bryant, Richard Newland, Adam Newland, – Ridgeway, Joseph Harris, George Jackson, John Harris, – Norris, – Andrews, George Smith.

London: – Howlett, Stephen Dingate, William Sawyer, – Maynard, ? Bennett, Tom Faulkner, Thomas Waymark, – Butler, – Green, – Hodder, – Collins.

It is not known which of the two Bryants or which of the two Bennetts took part. Both the Harris brothers, John and Joseph, were involved; and of the three Newland brothers it was John who did not play.

Thomas Waymark was formerly employed by the Duke of Richmond but he is here given as a Berkshire resident and playing for the London XI.

The match included a declaration by the Slindon team in their second innings at 102–6. They made 102 & 102–6d against London’s scores of 79 & 70. Slindon won by 55 runs.

In September, Slindon again played London at the Artillery Ground and won, but details including the margin of victory have not survived. Having now defeated London twice, Slindon felt emboldened enough to issue a challenge whereby it would play any parish in England. London did not accept. Only Addington Cricket Club and Bromley Cricket Club were able to accept.

Matches against both these clubs were arranged at the Artillery Ground: against Addington on 12 and 13 September; and against Bromley on 14 September. It is known that rain intervened and no result or match report has survived of either game, even though they are known to have created huge interest. The only conclusion is that they were rained off.