Skip to main content

Dorset Cricket Cuttings

 

The noble and manly game of cricket is becoming very popular in Dorset. Many gentlemen encourage the clubs which are already formed and many excellent matches have lately been played in the county. We understand a match between Blandford and Stour clubs for twenty two guineas and dinner will be played for in Shroton Fair Field on Thursday 15th when much good play is expected. The match terminated in favour of the Blandford team. A better contest at cricket was never witnessed in Dorset and a numerous and respectable company was assembled on the occasion. (Salisbury & Winchester Journal – 12th & 19th August 1822)

Our town of Blandford has been very gay during the week. A new cricket club has been lately formed consisting of upwards of 60 of the principal gentry of the county. A capital piece of ground on the racecourse has, at considerable expense, been levelled and new laid with turf and next season will make a first rate cricket ground. On Tuesday last was the first meeting when a large party assembled and several members showed that they were well skilled in that manly game. After some good play an excellent cold dinner was provided at the ground under a marquee of which more than 80 of the beau monde of the neighbourhood partook and which the party was enlivened with some good songs. (Sherborne Mercury 26th August 1833)

Spetisbury – A cricket club has been formed in this village which we have every reason to believe will show some good play this season. Mr Lanning is the Secretary. A match is to come off shortly with the Shroton and Iwerne Club. (Salisbury & Winchester Journal – 9th July 1864)

Sturminster Marshall – A cricket match was played in a field attached to the Rectory between the Sturminster Marshall and Shroton Institution Cricket Clubs. The former gentlemen were sent to the wicket first and retired for 8 runs only; the latter followed and scored 74. But in the second innings quite a turn in the game took place Sturminster Marshall gentlemen running up a score of 209 while Shroton gentlemen went out for 47 and lost the game by nearly 100. A few of the resident’s gentry watched the day’s play and appeared much interested in the noble game. (Dorset County Chronicle – 1st September 1864

Winterborne Stickland – A meeting was held on Wednesday at the school relative to the formation of a cricket club for this village and the neighbourhood. The subscription to be five shillings (25p) per annum payable by monthly subscriptions , or all at once. Of the poorer classes a smaller subscription will be accepted at the discretion of the Treasurer. (Western Gazette – 19th January 1866)

Durweston – A well-contested game was played here on Thursday last between Durweston and the Iwerne club which resulted in the latter being the victors by 12 runs. The former have played many matches but this is their first defeat. They appeared well satisfied with the result not wishing always to retain the laurels – but one thing we think is most desirable, that impartial and efficient umpires should be chosen on both sides. (Dorset County Chronicle – 1st August 1867)

Pimperne – The return match between Chettle and Pimperne was played here last Saturday and terminated in a victory for the latter who won by one run and one innings. This result was mainly due to the really fine batting of Mr H Traill and the bowling of Messrs G & W Browne. (Dorset County Chronicle 22nd August 1867)

Stourpaine – The Blandford Academy Cricket Club consisting of Mr Vine and nine of his pupils and Mr Ingram of Nutford have challenged eleven of the pupils of Stourpaine House School to a friendly game of cricket, ten of the latter with Mr G Barnett of Blandford. The challenge was accepted and a match was played on Friday last. The weather was fine and there was a good attendance. (Western Gazette – 18th June 1869)

Sturminster Marshall – A cricket match was played here a few days ago between Sturminster and Henbury. Darkness put a stop to the play and when the wickets were drawn Sturminster had four runs to get with four men to go in. (Bridport News and Dorsetshire, Devonshire & Somersetshire Advertiser – 29th September 1866)

Tarrant Gunville – A match was played here between Tarrant Gunville and Langton Cricket Clubs. The game was won by Gunville – first innings 50 & second innings 65; Langton 69 & 41. (Western Gazette 3rd September 1880)

Tarrant Hinton – An interesting match took place here on 24th August between the married and unmarried men of Tarrant Hinton Cricket Club and resulted in a victory for the former. (Western Gazette – 1 September 1893)

Tarrant Monkton – On the 15th a cricket match was played on Monkton Down between Tarrant Monkton and Gussage resulting in a win for the former. The Monkton Band played selections during the progress of the game and in the evening there was dancing which was participated in by a goodly number. (Western Gazette – 26th April 1895)

 



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

True Lovers Knot - a Tragic Tale

True Lovers Knot public house describes itself as a traditional  inn set in a picturesque Dorset valley in Tarrant Keynston. Yet, this historical hostelry is said to have gained its name from a particularly tragic tale and still to be haunted by a distressed former publican. This publican’s son met and fell in love with the daughter of the local squire. Because the young lad was not from the gentry they decided to keep their relationship secret from her father. Unfortunately, a stable hand saw the two young lovers together and told her father. Set firmly against this friendship the squire made plans to send his daughter away from the district. Not able to face up to life without her boyfriend, the young girl decided to commit suicide and hanged herself from a tree in the village. So upset was the publican’s son of hearing of his girlfriend’s death he too hanged himself from the same tree. The Tarrant Keynston publican had, himself lost his wife at child birth and now losing his son b

Tarrant Rushton's Nuclear Secret

Tarrant Rushton was a large RAF base used for glider operations during World War II. It was then taken over by Flight Refuelling for the conversion of aircraft for the development of aircraft in-flight refuelling. However, between 1958 & 1965, the Tarrant Rushton airfield had a much more secretive and less publicised role. This was in support of the nation’s nuclear bomber deterrent, as Tarrant Rushton airfield became a QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) dispersal unit.   During 1958, contractors Costain reinforced the main runway and carried out other work to ensure the giant bomber aircraft could be accommodated. At times just a few miles from Blandford, there would have been up to four RAF Vickers Valiant bombers at Tarrant Rushton ready to become airborne in minutes charged with nuclear weapons. The bombers were from 148 Squadron at RAF Marham in Norfolk. As there was no suitable accommodation at the airfield, an old US Air Force Hospital building at Martin was used. At the time, the

Chimney Sweep Tragedy

Crown Hotel, Blandford is reckoned to be one of Dorset’s oldest hostelries. Yet its most tragic day, during a long history, must surely be when a young chimney sweep lost his life. The chimney sweep, who was just a child, suffocated and was burnt to death in a Crown Hotel chimney which had been alight a little while before. ‘His cries were dreadful and no-one could give assistance. Part of the chimney was taken down before he was got out.’ (Salisbury & Winchester Gazette 27th March 1780) The lad had gone up one chimney and attempting to go down another had become stuck. At the time children were used to climb up chimneys to clean out soot deposits. With hands and knees, they would shimmy up narrow dark flue spaces packed thick with soot and debris. After the 1731 Great Fire of Blandford it was realised that it was important to sweep chimneys regularly while many rebuilt houses had narrower ones. Smaller chimneys and complicated flues were a potential death trap for children. The sw