History

DEDHAM CRICKET CLUB A BRIEF HISTORY As far as we can ascertain, the first mention of Dedham being involved in cricket was published in the Ipswich Journal of Saturday September 14th 1745 ….. On Monday the 16th inftant, a Match of CRICKET will be play’d near the Race Ground in IPSWICH, between the Gentlemen of Eaftbergholt, Dedham, Manningtree and Miftley, and the Gentlemen of Ipfwich.” [sic] As for Dedham Cricket Club – research suggests that it was originally formed in 1885, was then dissolved shortly afterwards, only to be revived again in 1892. Their first match following the revival was against East Bergholt on May 28th 1892, a game which was lost by just 3 runs. From the club’s inception, up to the first World War, games were played on what was the Grammar School Playground. In approximately 1914 Mr. Hewitt, a notable resident of the village, having purchased the adjoining field from the Duchy of Lancaster, donated it to the Parish as a permanent home for sports and recreation. The Cricket Club consulted with a Mr. E.C. Freeman, keeper of the Essex CCC ground at Leyton on how best to proceed and he advised that the land be prepared for football, as it still is today, with the cricket pitch placed in the middle. Because one boundary was very short, it only scored 2 runs instead of 4 and 4 runs instead of 6. Following the Second World War the cricket square transferred to it’s current location, behind St. Mary’s Church, on ground still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1975 Dedham C.C. were Essex Group Winners in what was then The Haig National Village Competition, beating Earls Colne in the Group Final. Having won their semi final against Abberton on faster run rate when rain stopped play, Dedham were again involved in controversy when Earls Colne appealed the result on a technicality. When the last ball of the match arrived, Earls Colne were 1 run behind with 9 wickets down. They took a comfortable single but, on attempting a second, Dedham achieved a run out. With scores and wickets down level, Dedham won by virtue of facing fewer balls. Unfortunately Dedham were beaten in the next round by the Bedfordshire champions, Blunham. In 1996 Dedham CC played an England Seniors XI to commemorate Dedham's involvement in cricket for 250 years. The England Seniors XI consisted of John Lever, John Snow, Derek Underwood, Jim Parks, Roger Tolchard, Robin Hobbs, John Jameson, Geoff Humpage, David Allen, Peter Graves and Pat Pocock. Dedham joined the Lancaster Garages League in 1997. This was later to become the Osborne Cars League and has now evolved into the PDQ North Essex League where we currently play in Division 3. 2003 Dedham CC hold a hog roast in the grounds of Dedham House with Sir Garfield Sobers as their guest. During a friendly match in 2004 Dedham CC wore coloured clothing for the first time; the red and cream shirts bearing the players name and individual number. Dedham opted out of the the PDQ North Essex League at the end of the 2005 season and joined the new Division 8 of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties League. This change not only resulted in league games being played on a Saturday, leaving Sundays for friendly matches, but also venues principally in Suffolk. Notable Members: 1913 Col. James Fellowes Played for Kent & Hampshire between 1870-1885. 1920Arthur J. Silverlock Played Minor Counties for Newport, Monmouthshire between 1890 and 1914.