| ||
| | |
 | ||
| | |
View from the pavillion steps to Newark Castle | ||
| | |
The Lords Scoreboard and castle | ||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
For more information read the section below from 1969 | ||||||||||||||
THE HISTORY OF | ||||||||||||||
1787 A single wicket contest, for the princely sum of 100 Guineas, between a Gentleman of Southwell and a Gentleman of Newark took place. The latter won at Southwell, but the result was disputed. The Gentleman of Newark agreed to play again, this time 'at home' and won again. One can only speculate as to where 'home' was in 1787, it might possibly have been Kelham Road. This is the first recorded instance of a match between representatives of Newark and Southwell, a fixture that still thrives today and possesses much of the intense local rivalry that this first contest appears to have done. 1815-1819 During her search of the archives at Lords, Miss Diana Rait Kerr discovered lists of Newark players for these years. Proof that cricket was being played in the town prior to the formation of Newark Cricket Club. 1823 The very famous oil painting of cricket being played at Newark (on the present ground!) by Curtis was painted. The original can now be seen hanging in Lord's pavilion. It was recently used by the Marylebone Cricket Club (The MCC) as a design on one of their Christmas cards. 1830 The formation of Newark Cricket Club April 7th 1830 We understand it is the intention of several Gentlemen of Newark to form a cricket club during the summer. We are happy to hear it. The game is one of science, athletic and very respectable and by practice we don't doubt that an XI can be easily formed to take the laurels from the brows of some of our neighbours. 1841 The following are extracts from match reports of the day of an away game and return fixture between Newark CC and Sherwood Forest CC that took place during 1841. Sherwood Forest CC v Newark CC August 22nd 1841 Sherwood Forest CC 114 all out and 87 all out Newark CC 82 all out and 64 all out The various fluctuations of fortune were anxiously watched by the spectators who seemed to take a lively interest in the results and were not impartial on their demonstration of applause when any particular feat elicited their cheers. Five marquees with their flags flying were pitched and refreshments provided on the ground. A large Union Jack was hoisted on top of the grand stand, the balconies of which were thronged by a gay assemblage of lovelies and beauty. In the afternoon a dessert of most luxurious fruit from the gardens of Needham and Green, with wines etc. were provided for the ladies by members of the Sherwood Forest Club. After the game the members of both clubs reassembled at the Bell Inn, Angel Row and sat down to a most excellent dinner. Many local and appropriate toasts were honoured. Newark CC v Sherwood Forest CC September 7th 1841 Sherwood Forest CC 54 all out and 32 all out Newark CC 62 all out and 25 for 5 After an hour's play several heavy showers fell and as rain continued to fall without intermission the stumps were drawn for the day at about one O'Clock. On Wednesday morning the game was resumed on the ground which lies low and is not in good condition was exceedingly wet and heavy. The hard hitting of the Newark men therefore told much more effectively on such a field than the more quiet style of play which is usually adopted by those batsmen who are accustomed to practice on good grounds . 1849 Twenty-two of Newark v Eleven of All England 26th to 28th July The full report of this game and an original poster advertising the game is on display in the pavilion at Newark CC. Brief details of the event are: Newark won by 172 runs A crowd of 4000 were present Special trains ran from Nottingham to Newark on the new Nottingham to Lincoln line. The England Xl included WISDEN, PARR, CLARKE, BOX, MYNN. Similar games were also played at Newark in 1850, 1851, 1855, and 1858. 1840 to 1860 During this period the TINLEYS, Chris, Frank and Vincent, played for Newark. A Mr Cartwright of the day described Chris Tinley as follows: An excellent all round player, not only was he one of the finest slow bowlers and most splendid 'point' but he was a rare old slogger and had none of your stonewalling defence with either bat or pad. 1856 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club played their one and only game at Kelham Road.1860 Newark CC split over the letting of the ground to new tenants. Those breaking away became Grove CC and played there. The differences were settled during 1862 and Newark CC was reunited at Kelham Road. The 'Magnus Incident' The following is the report of incidents during the year that led to the expulsion of members from Newark CC. It appears that for some time there has been a dispute about the right of the Magnus School boys to the use of the cricket pavilion, but as they had undisputed possession for 7 years they required some stronger evidence than the dictum of certain gentlemen of supposed power and authority. On Wednesday April 22nd the Magnus cricketers found the lock removed and the door fastened on the inside - they therefore entered through the roof. On Saturday April 25th they found the door again fastened so they again entered by the roof, when lo! two men assailed the four boys - one declaring he was a policeman in plain clothes. This the boys thought was a good joke and the two men were much chaffed and threatened with summary vengeance if they did not open the door. One of them therefore opened it and slipped off, intending to fetch further help, but directly he got outside he was chased by more boys and being rather corpulent he was soon brought to earth and taken back to his friend, the policeman in plain clothes, who was being guarded until assistance arrived. The sequel occurred on May 6th at the sessions when the Reverend Platter (Headmaster of the Magnus Grammar School), the Reverend C Webb and Mr Anderson were charged by Edward Kitchen (Grocer) for assault in the Parish of Averham. The case was dismissed after a long sitting. There followed a meeting of Newark Cricket Club when a resolution was passed expelling three members: Mr Z Wood, Mr J Perfect and Mr E Kitchen. They forfeited all interest in the property of the Club. 1864 Sequel to the 'Magnus Incident' On April 6th the three expelled members were tenants of the Newark CC ground at Kelham Road. They put the pavilion up for sale. The day before the auction, workman began demolishing it with crowbars. Fortunately on the day of the auction the other club members arrived at the ground and saved the situation but some timbers were sold privately. This incident led to the decision to build a new pavilion. Plans were drawn up and a new pavilion was built at a cost of £257 / 9s / 6d. This is the pavilion which stands today and is now a scheduled building as it is one of the earliest brick built cricket pavilions in the world. The new pavilion was opened with a match between 14 single and 14 married men. The band of the Sherwood Foresters played. | ||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
The pavillion as it looks today 136 years later!! | ||||||||||||||
1860s to 1880s The outstanding Newark player Henry Slater (known as 'Cabby' Slater) played during these years. He was an accomplished all rounder and George Parr invited him to take up cricket as a career, but he declined. Despite this he played for the North of England and for the All England Xl many times. The first time being at Gainsborough on 16th June 1860. A photograph of this England team, including Slater along with two other Newark CC players, Tinley and Jackson, hangs in the Newark CC pavilion. In the week preceding this match he played at Lord's in a Colts match against The MCC. He was still scoring heavily in 1887, when he scored 101 not out against Collingham CC. Following his playing career he umpired for Newark CC until 1904 and died during the following year. 1886 Newark CC v Lincoln Lindum CC An extract from the Lincolnshire Chronicle gives an insight into the attitudes of the day. Once upon a time this match was quite a feature of the Lindum card, but if the match played on Thursday is any criterion of Newark cricket the sooner it is left out of the club fixtures the better, as with few exceptions the Newark players could neither bat, bowl, nor field and to make matters worse they did not arrive until 12.35 and then gently sauntered to the ground arriving there at 1.30 pm and then coolly requested to draw stumps at 6 o'clock in time to catch the 8.10 train - This is not the sort of cricket we expect from the other side of the trent. 1890 With the advent of Saturdays off the subject of Saturday cricket was mooted. This led to an argument with the Magnus Grammar School, who played on Saturdays on the Kelham Road ground, as to who would in the future play there on Saturdays. 1890s With many new clubs being formed in the town during this decade it became difficult to raise a team. In the late 1890s fears from club members were expressed in the local press over competition from the bicycle and the car. At an Annual General Meeting Dr Job said: Paint the position of the club in terms as glowing as possible. We have not a great amount of material to paint it with, but what little there is must be made the best of. Newark won four out of 20 matches that year. 1897 Newark dropped Notts. Castle from the fixture list as twice they had batted all day! 1900 to 1910 Three Newark players represented the County in the first decade of the 20th century. They were: G Trevor Branston (who also went on the MCC tour to New Zealand), R H Howitt and J Pennington 1901 Newark CC held a cricket week, it was well organised but unfortunately The MCC did not attend as they could not raise a team. 1904 At the Newark CC Dinner in 1904 Mr H Speight concluded his toast to the Club with the following words. So relevant to cricket today as it was in 1904 and indeed to when the Club was founded in 1830: May the ball of fortune keep rolling. May the wicket of prosperity never play false and the bat of friendship n'er break. 1922 With the emphasis today on encouraging youth and building Colts' XI's the following extract of a report by the Secretary of Newark CC published in the Newark Advertiser of September 6th 1922 is interesting: Matches and a separate net for practice have been arranged for boys under 18. It is realised that here lies the future of Newark cricket and there is much talent capable of development. It has been a pleasure to see so many boys taking advantage of the facilities. They should supply a constant stream of players; be taught to play the game realising one day the fortunes and destinies of Newark cricket will be in their hands. 1926 Newark CC purchased the ground on Kelham Road for £720.
| ||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
1969 The chairman, Mr Joe Hallam, purchased the old Lords Scoreboard, had it restored and erected on the Kelham Road ground. It was opened by Sir Gary Sobers in September during a benefit match for Carlton Forbes. | ||||||||||||||
1971 Newark CC were one of the founder members of the Notts Club Cricket Alliance. Now known as the Gunn and Moore Club Cricket Alliance. 1974 Newark CC won the Notts Club Cricket Alliance and went on to become the Champions of Champions. 1975 Newark CC retained the Notts Club Cricket Alliance Championship and also won the Eddie Marshall Trophy. 1980 The Club celebrated its 150th Anniversary on 8th June with a match against an all star international XI including Reg Simpson, Fred Titmus and Fred Trueman. 1996 The second XI won the Second XI, Division 2 Championship of the Notts Alliance.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Compiled by Chris Grant | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |