Cricket In The Eastons

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In 1989 the pavilion was rebuilt by the members, in particular Roger Rowland, who is a former Club President. The rebuilding was funded by the Club from proceeds raised from raffles, quiz nights, discos, barbecues and a memorable Club v Ladies match where the ladies were sponsored for runs scored.

Eastons Cricket Club played 41 matches last season, they won 16, drew seven and lost 18. 

Club captain Brian Stewart, a hard worker both on and off the field, topped the bowling averages with a memorable haul of 148 wickets at an average of only 8.3 runs. His best performance was eight for 28 runs, which included a hat-trick. 

Martin Phillips led the batting table with a total of 808 runs at 33.6 per innings. This included a top score of 82 runs. Club chairman Bob Tozer scored 166 runs in classic style in only-five innings for an average of 41.5. Philip Curtis led his President’s XI to a well deserved victory and provided excellent lunch in generous compensation. 

Tony Gilfrin won the Single Wicket competition in fine style and with it the Honeysett Cup. Brian Stewart was runner-up. Maurice Whittley drove 284 runs, mostly through the covers, in 26 games. Richard Lacey took nine wickets for 26 runs against St Margaret’s Hospital. 

The game against White Roding went into the record books and set the beer flowing. Four players achieved drinks all round performances. Bob Tozer made 50 runs, Brian Stewart and Martin Phillips each took five wickets and Richard Freeman took four catches. The landlord where the celebration took place was very pleased! 

Before the war, cricket was played at both Little and Great Easton. Great Easton played in a field around the area where Brocks Mead is now. Teas were served in the “Village Room”, a brick building up the road from The Garth, and to the left. Tom Cowell mentioned that a “Podge” Barker was considered one of the better players.  

The people of Duton Hill, Great Easton, and Tiity united to celebrate the Royal Jubilee. In a cricket match between Great Easton and Duton Hill, honours went to the latter. 

The people of Duton Hill, Great Easton, and Tiity united to celebrate the Royal Jubilee. In a cricket match between Great Easton and Duton Hill, honours went to the latter. 

A meeting was held the Parish Room, under the presidency of Mr. R. D. Blumenfeld, who had invited Interested in cricket. As a result, the prospect of forming club, to named "Great Easton and Duton Hill", met with great encouragement, and a farther meeting arranged. Mr. F. J. Harper, "St. Fort," Great Easton, will furnish any particulars. 

An article in The Scotsman:

This article outlines some of the later history, and gives some more information about the cricket ground. The report relates to Lady Warwick’s plans for donating Easton Lodge to the TUC as a college, and touches on the potential of its sporting facilities.

There had been some criticism about the situation of the estate for a College, but it was halfway between London and Cambridge, so that there would be every opportunity to secure lecturers. The Countess felt that, in the country, students could acquire a great deal of quiet knowledge which could not gain in the bustle of big cities. It would be possible to develop a very good sports ground at Easton Lodge. The cricket ground was laid out by the same designers as Lord’s; it was the second best ground in England before the war, and could soon be restored.

By 1909 the club was referred to as Easton Lodge Cricket Club.

20th August 1909 - On Saturday the Easton Lodge cricket team played match with Bishop Stortford on the ground the latter club. During the afternoon the pavilion in which the Easton players had dressed was left without attendance, and returning there the visitors found that their clothes had been ransacked and about £1 in cash taken from several pockets. Nothing else was missed. A strange man was said to have been seen near the pavilion. The police, who where callad in, have no clue to work upon.

14th June 1912 - Easton Lodge scored their seventh successive win by defeating Hockerill by 41 runs. Easton 109 (W. Sanders 35, F.W. Bacon 21, J.M. Phillips 20 not out), Hockerill 68 (Oliver 14, F. Brace 12). For Easton F. Stocks took 7 wickets for 28 runs. 

1st August 1914 - A quote from Ralph David Blumenfeld's diary. "Went down home to Hill Farm, Great Easton, with our Daily Express cricket eleven, to play Easton Lodge. We were beaten.

After the match we had learned that Germany had declared war on Russia and had marched into Luxenbourg, thus violating  the treaty engagements. If this country does not stand up for Rights and Honour, she will be damned."

An article in the Chelmsford Chronicle:  Alcoholic refreshments have clearly always been an important feature for local cricket matches.  Mr. Charles Bint, of the Saracen’s Head Hotel, Dunmow, applied for an occasional licence for a cricket match at Easton Lodge, on the 28th July. Granted.

An article in the Chelmsford Chronicle:  The annual cricket match was played on Wednesday at Little Easton Park, between the tenantry of the estates of the trustees of the late Viscount Maynard. The weather being fine and bright a good game was played, with great spirit, and much enjoyed by both players and spectators.

An article in the Chelmsford Chronicle:

At the invitation of Mr. Cheffins, steward of the, Maynard estate, between 30 and 40 of the tenantry met on Easton Park on Friday last, for the purpose of playing a friendly game of cricket. The weather being beautifully fine a numerous company of visitors was present to witness the game. 

At two o'clock the party sat down to a cold collation, provided by Mr. W. Low, of the White Lion, Dunmow. The sides were closely contested, and the play throughout the day caused much interest. The scores after two innings were 151 to 147 in favour of P.J. Cheffins side.

An article in the Essex Standard:

On Wednesday last the beautiful Park at Easton Lodge was the scene of a delightful and truly English holiday for almost 30 of the tenantry on the “Maynard” Estates, and the day was most thoroughly enjoyed by them and a numerous company of spectators. Two sides were chosen to contest in the manly game of cricket – one by Mr. P.J. Cheffins, and one by Mr. J.P. Brand.  

Between the innings the players sat down in a commodious marquee to a sumptuous luncheon, given by H. Cheffins, Esq., who presided, and for whom in the speeches that were made the utmost respect and regard were expressed.

A selection of matches over 50 years showing how long the club was referred to as Easton Park Cricket Club.

11th August 1854 - Easton Park Club vs Stansted Mountfitchet. These clubs (to use a sporting term) being in the position of "one and one", the conquering match was played in the Viscount Maynard's park on the 31st ult. The weather was far from favourable throughout the day, and towards evening a severe thunderstorm put a stop to the game, which was decided by the first innings, in favour of the Easton Park side. The batting of Mallett, Marriott, Palmer, and Kenny, and the a fielding of Marshall, were much admired. Easton Park, 169 and Stansted Mountfitchet, 43.

12th June 1857 - Easton Park vs Takeley Albert Club. A match was played in Easton Park, near the mansion of Viscount Maynard on Monday, between eleven gentlemen of Easton and eleven of Takeley, which was well-contested. There was some excellent play, especially the part of the Easton club. It was exceedingly pleasant meeting, but owing to the inclemency of the weather in the early part of the day, many parties who would have been present were prevented. Eastons 92 and 113, Takeley 23 and 28.

27th June 1872 - Easton Park vs Finchingfield played at Easton Park. Finchingfield, 57 and 71. Easton Park, 42. The rain prematurely terminated the game, and the Finchingfield team claimed the victory on the first innings.

22nd September 1883 - Easton Park vs Dunmow. The return match between these clubs was played on Wednesday at Easton, and resulted in easy victory for the home team by 11 wickets, the teams playing 12 a side. Easton Park 64, and 2 (without the loss of a wicket); Dunmow, 33 and 81. For the winning side W. Young and J. F. Rogers 10. For Dunmow (second innings) H. Grout 15. J. Silcock and Grout bowled for Dunmow, and Francis, Rogers, and Prid for Easton Park.

21st June 1895 - Dunmow vs Easton Park. Dunmow 141, Easton Park 83. For the winners M. Tench scored 77, H. Grout 19, and P. Tyler 10, and for the losers the Rev. A.L. Whitfield scored 45, G. Stock 26 and G. Prior 6.

15th December 1905 at the Manor House, on the 9th inst., Mr. J. F. Rogers entertained dinner about twenty members of the Park Cricket Club. The evening was very pleasantly spent.