Emsworth Cricket Club

Emsworth cricket club is a amateur club cricket club, found in Emsworth, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
History of Emsworth CC
Cricket in Emsworth has been played in the area from as early as 1809, but the first official match for the club was duly noted in The Hampshire Telegraph newspaper on Monday 9th of September 1811. This contest was fought between 10 Single Gentlemen of Emsworth, with Mr Thomas Sharp of Havant and Eleven Single Gentlemen of Hambledon, played on 'Cold Harbour Lawn' (Now renamed Emsworth Recreation Ground) for the grand sum of 20 Guineas. Happily for the Emsworth Cricketers it resulted in a win, beating Hambledon by 32 runs.
Since the beginning of cricket in Emsworth, the club has particpated in matches against various teams, examples of these being, Goodwood Cricket Club, Waterloo, Havant Cricket Club, East Hants, 10th Sussex Rifle Volunteers, Selsey, Oddfellows, Officers of 3rd The King's Own Hussars and many more.
From an newspaper extract dating from 1889, Emsworth members organsied a meeting ( Held at the 'Locomotive Inn' which was then later renamed 'The Seagull') to discuss the financial state (at the time Emsworth had £1 and 4 shillings) and other matters of the club, also including election of certain posts made available in the club, most notably the Vice-President whom at the time of being elected was Sir Frederick Fitzwygram, 4th Baronet and later Mayor of Portsmouth.
The club's original ground was a small farmers field, towards Southbourne on the border of Hampshire and Sussex, but due to flooding was deemed 'Unfit for Cricket' by members of the club and so they rented 'Cold Harbour Lawn' before a wealthy patron, G. H. Winters, opted to purchase the ground on the basis that he play in certain matches during his membership. So in 1909 the ground was deemed the offical home of cricket in Emsworth, from many early scorecards it was clear that the pitch was slow and a bowlers wicket.
The Club Today
Emsworth still play cricket at Emsworth Recreational Ground and the pitch is still considered to be a bowlers wicket. The club is able to field three teams during the season, Its First XI playing in County Division 4 South, with the Second XI and Third XI both playing in Regional Division 4 South in the Hampshire Cricket League. The club also field a Midweek (T20) side, Winter Indoor Cricket team and Sunday Friendly side.
Current Captains:
# James Swaine (1st XI)
# John White (2nd XI)
# Dave Wells (3rd XI)
# Lee Gray (Indoor Captain)
# Dave Wells/Lee Gray (Midweek)
# Douglas Dunn/Lee Gray (Sunday Friendly)
Emsworth Chairman:
* Paul Emery
Bicentennial Chairman:
* Clive Edwards
The Club & Pubs in Emsworth
Emsworth has been renowned for its variety of public houses during the years, and the cricket club has been no stranger to these over its long history. Early newspaper articles have revealed that one of the very first public houses that Emsworth Cricket Club used was "The Locomotive Inn" which was renamed "The Seagull" which is now demolished. The current public house used is "The Coal Exchange" located in South Street.
The Bicentennial Year 2011
In 2011 the club will be celebrating its 200th year, a bicentennial cricket week has been scheduled during July. Emsworth Museum will be holding an exhibition celebrating 200 years of cricket in Emsworth during the course of July in conjuction with Emsworth Cricket Club.
Links
Emsworth Cricket Club Website
Emsworth CC Play-cricket website

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