EVENWOOD CRICKET CLUB

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVENWOOD CRICKET CLUB

This account will provide details, as follows:

Part 1 is below

1887 – 1912: The Early Years
1918 – 1939: Inter War Era
The 1950s:

1966 to 2013: The Phoenix Rises
2013 to date: The Modern Era to be completed by others at a suitable date.

Sadly, there are no comprehensive records for Evenwood Cricket Club. This sketchy account uses a variety of sources – press reports, Etherley C.C. score books and E.C.C scorebooks, post 1966 records accumulated by Alf and John Teesdale and latterly by Luke Bannister.

1887 – 1912: THE EARLY DAYS

Cricket has been played in Evenwood since at least 1887. The Auckland Chronicle, dated 15th July, reported that Raby Cricket Club defeated Evenwood C.C. by 33 runs. ECC competed in friendly games, the Auckland & District and the Wear Valley & District League Division II. During the late 1800s, matches were played against teams from Eggleston, Lands, Witton-le-Wear, Woodland, Fir Tree, Streatlam and Raby. The following accounts were published:

1896 July 9:

“Evenwood were at Eggleston meeting the local team and can be said to have done well. They got the homesters out for 78 and then went and scored 51 for the loss of 4 wickets only, so had decidedly the best of the draw.”

1896 August 20:

“Lands were at home to their neighbours, Evenwood on Saturday last, the homesters winning a small scoring match by 18 runs, the respective scores being Lands 60 and Evenwood 42.”

1898 May 19:

Evenwood v Witton-le-Wear played at Evenwood resulted in a victory for the visitors. Ten players are named – G. White, J. Eales, W. Richardson, M. Clennell, T. Stevens, Steadman, Dodd, Milne, J. Brass and J. Simpson.

1898 June 9:

Witton-le-Wear 48 Evenwood 25

1898 June 16

Evenwood 60 Woodland 21

1898 August 18:

“Evenwood were at home on Saturday to Toft Hill and won a low scoring match by 32 runs. Only notable feature of the match, J. Stonebank 26. Dr Milne took 8 wickets for 3 runs, 7 of them being clean bowled.”

8 wickets for 3 runs! Impressive by anybody’s standards.

Dr Milne “demon bowler”

1899 July 6:

“Evenwood Cricket Club intend to hold their Annual Gala on 29th when in addition to the match with Streatlam, sports will be held including a foot race, high jump, quiots etc when good prizes will be given.”

1899 July 27:

“Evenwood were at Raby on Saturday, a good game ending in an even draw, rain unfortunately bringing it to a premature close. Principal scorers – J. Bell 36, J. Stonebanks 30 and M. Clennell 17, all three playing fine innings. On Saturday there are good sports at Evenwood, good prizes being given for 120 yards handicap, 100 yards handicap, quoits, bowling at wicket etc.”

At the turn of the 19th century, E.C.C. played in the Auckland & District League then the Wear Valley Cricket League competing against such teams as Peases West Seconds, Croxdale Seconds, Crook Seconds, West Auckland, Oakenshaw and Willington Seconds. Dr Hurrey made his debut and an impressive all-rounder was C. Simpson who appeared regularly in press reports.

1901 May 9 The first, almost complete, scorecard we have found.

This season, Evenwood CC did not play in the Auckland & District League because the ground was being re-laid. They played friendlies and beat Shildon NER by 22 runs. Shildon made 52 and Evenwood batting second, continued their innings so all players got a bat, although the last 4 batsmen didn’t trouble the scorers. A new bowler had been unearthed. C. Simpson took 8 wickets for 24 runs, 7 clean bowled. Watson (24) and Jackson (23) batted well. The scorecard reads:

Shildon NER

Allanby M. run out……………………….…… 4

Grainger C. bowled Simpson C……………….. 6

McDonald bowled Simpson C…………………. 0

Chapman G. bowled Simpson C………………. 3

Cass V. bowled Simpson C……………..…….. 14

Newton caught Brass bowled Simpson C……….. 0

Sanders G. bowled Simson C……………..…… 0

Nicholson J. not out…………………………… 11

Hodgson F.W. bowled Simpson C………………9

Brass B. bowled Jackson………………………. 0

Marr F. bowled Simpson C……………………. 0

Extras………………………………………….. 5

Total …………………………………………..52

Evenwood

Dr Milne bowled Hodgson A……………….… 1

Clennelll M. bowled Hodgson A………………. 8

Watson R. retired………………………………24

Jackson J. caught Newton bowled Cass……….23

White G. caught Hodgson bowled Grainger C… 2

Mason G. caught Hodgson bowled Nicholson J.. 3

Brass J. bowled Nicholson J…………………… 3

Welch H. bowled Cass…………………………. 0

Walker A. bowled Nicholson J…………………. 0

Simpson C. bowled Cass……………………….. 0

Alderson J. not out……………………………… 0

Extras………………………………………….. 10

Total…………………………………………… 74

Evenwood CC Bowling:

Overs.. Maidens..Runs..Wickets

Simpson C……. 9…….0………….24……..8

White G…….. 2…….2………….21……..0

Jackson J…….. 2……..0…………..2……..1

Evenwood enjoyed a successful run beating:

Streatlam by 5 runs in a low scoring game with Simpson again being the pick of the bowlers claiming 5 for 18,
Middridge by 3 runs when Jackson scored 20 out of Evenwood’s total of 37 and Simpson getting 4 for 17
Shildon St. Johns Seconds when Deighton scored 42 and Clennell 34 in Evenwood’s impressive total of 167. In reply, St. Johns could only muster 32, with the impressive White claiming 4 for 8 and Simpson (fast becoming a legend) 5 for 20.
Witton-le-Wear by 37 runs when Simpson proved he could bat getting 23 and Clennell 18 in the total of 88. Simpson claimed 7 for 22, White 2 for 10 and Jackson 1 for 11 in Witton’s reply of 51.
Middgridge by 56 runs. White scored 31, Clennell 22 and Jackson 41. White returned bowling figures of 4 for 19, Simpson 2 for 28 and Jackson 3 for 10.

However, Auckland Seconds defeated Evenwood by 79 runs, with only Clennell’s 20 being worthy of mention. But 3 weeks later, Evenwood had revenge beating them by 71 runs. Clennell 49 and White, 27 being top scorers in a total of 114. White took 4 for 27 and Simpson 5 for 13 to restrict Auckland Seconds to 43.

Evenwood got back to winning ways by defeating Streatlam and Catterick Bridge but West Auckland were victorious in an August fixture. West scored 89 with White and Simpson claiming 4 wickets each but Evenwood’s reply of 62, with Stonebanks scoring 28 and Watson 16, fell 27 runs short.

1903:

In May, Thomas Welch of Randolph Terrace advertised for matches with “good teams”.

28 May, it was reported that Evenwood beat West Auckland by 92 runs – 141 and in reply West mustered 49. Matches against Binchester, Witton-le-Wear, Tindale Crescent and Bishop Auckland II. were reported. The players included W. Gray, G. Massey, J. White, J.R. Bouch, J. Simpson, R. Simpson, H. Welch; C. Simpson, W. Hodgson, M. Clennell, R. Watson, Dr Milne, G. Mason, Jonas Jackson, T. Welch.

1904:

February 4th it was reported that Evenwood C.C. held a ball with the M.C. being Robert Etherington and the musician Miss Etherington. The Auckland and South Durham Chronicle published reports of matches against Shildon NER, Bishop Auckland II, West Auckland and Etherley.

1905:

A successful dance was held in the National School when Mr. R. Etherington provided the entertainment. In July, it was reported that Evenwood beat Etherley by 26 runs.

1906:

Evenwood competed in the Wear Valley Cricket League Division II and reports suggest that the club enjoyed a good season starting in May, when Evenwood beat Bishop Auckland Church Institute by 41 runs, scoring 123 for 5. Victories against Peases West II, Croxdale II (twice), Crook II (twice), West Auckland, Oakenshaw, Willington II and Spennymoor were reported. However, Shildon II convincingly defeated Evenwood twice. The season was celebrated with a social and dance in the National School.

1907:

A report 18 July gives an account of the game with Tudhoe:

“Tudhoe visited Evenwood and vanquished them by 67 runs. Evenwood batsmen found the visitors bowling too good for them. George White headed the score list with 18, next Dr Hurrey 14.”

Defeats followed at the hands of Willington and Spennymoor before 2 good victories against Coundon in August salvaged the season.

1908:

A report 23 July:

“Evenwood’s lively tail – West Auckland and Evenwood able to finish their league on the latter’s ground. Visitors batted first scored 79. For the home lot, C. Simpson took 5 and R. Simpson 4. The home lot on going in fared badly against bowling of Pounder and with 8 wickets down for 28, looked so far an easy beating but the tail end played up in surprising fashion and the result was only 5 runs in favour of West Auckland. Coates at 8, remained in, scored 20. W. Clennell, 10th man in scored 9, last man A. Cook scored 15.”

30 July: reported the match against Fir Tree:

“Evenwood journeyed to Fir Tree – the game was delayed once or twice owing to rain. Fir Tree batted first – 156 for 5 declared. Evenwood, C. Simpson 37, R. Watson not our 19, J. Coates 13, Crawford 10 but with 7 wickets down for 91 runs, Evenwood refused to continue the game owing to light.”

20 August saw an 8 run victory over Crook and 27 August, a 27 run defeat at the hands of West Auckland.

1909, 1910 and 1911, it is believed that Evenwood C.C. competed in the Wear Valley Cricket League.

1912:

April 25: it was announced that the Evenwood was to be disbanded and M. Clennell was to play for West Auckland. 27 August, it was reported that M. Clennell took 3 for 15 and scored 16 in an exciting match.

We have no photos of any early Evenwwod CC teams.

The following show Wham CC and West Auckland CC from 1915 and some men are in army uniform which infers troubled times.

Below: West Auckland Cricket Club 1915

Below: 2 photos of Wham C.C. 1915

1918 – 1939: THE INTER WAR YEARS

We don’t know when Evenwood C.C. resumed after the war – more research needs to be undertaken. The 1920s and 30s were difficult time for people of County Durham and Evenwood and Ramshaw was no exception. This was due to industrial and economic circumstances which included:

1921, the lock out of mine workers
1926, the national stoppage in the coal industry which lasted from May to November
Trade depression and closure of pits as the market dictated such as the closure of Randolph in 1932 and Railey Fell/West Tees Colliery in 1937.

Miners were in and out of work throughout the period although Ada Temple in her Durham University thesis argued that Evenwood and Ramshaw were not as badly hit as other villages in the Gaunless Valley such as Butterknowle, Cockfield and Lands.

When men were able to participate in sport it must have brought considerable pleasure in those dark and dismal times. We say men because to date, we have little evidence of women taking part in sport other than the Oaks Women’s Cricket Team which raised funds for the Boot and Shoe Fund in 1926. After the First World War, the Football Association banned women from playing football on FA affiliated grounds.

Below: 1926 Oaks Ladies Cricket Club

Back Row left to right: Mesdames Woof, Wren, Ellerker, Nicholson, Taylor, Carabine, Hymas, Eddie Carabine (Umpire)

Front Row: Mesdames Rivers, Wren, Creaser, Proud, Carabine and Miss Parkin.

1926:

Etherley C.C. hold an excellent collection of scorebooks. One scorecard informs us that on 8 July 1916, Evenwood beat our local rivals by 1 run. Such a victory must have provided a great boost to the morale of the team and its local followers. What was remarkable about this match, was the appearance of H.L. Baines, batting at no.6. He was a senior colliery official who eventually became Randolph Colliery manager. The match took place during the 1926 miners’ strike and amongst the other players, presumably, there would have been striking pitman and coke men. It seems remarkable that in the middle of national action, that a senior colliery official could still play a game of cricket with his work colleagues.

The Evenwood team was N. Waistell, H. Musgrave, J. Walker, W. Kipling, T. Musgrave, H.L. Baines, E. Cook, R. Stones, H. Parkin, V. Simpson and W. Dinsdale.

Below: A detail from the scorebook:

1927:

Evenwood C.C. competed in the Mid Durham Senior League along with Willington, Etherley, Peases West, Esh Winning, Shildon, Shildon LNER, Mainsforth, Spennymoor, Crook and Croxdale.

1936:

The major cup competition was the Northern Echo and Sports Despatch Cup which was played over 2 legs, home and away. Etherley beat Evenwood by an aggregate of 83 runs.

11 July: Evenwood’s first known centurion.

Evenwood v Etherley at home. Evenwood were bowled out for 169 with Victor Simpson scoring 102 not out. This is the first and only century that we have been able to trace during the pre-1966 era. The visitors scored 170 for the loss of 5 wickets. H. Balmer scored 92, run out!

The Evenwood team was J. Goldsbrough, E. Cooke, W. Lowson, A. Mason, H. Peddelty, V. Simpson, W. Britton, N. Waistell, W, Hudson, F. Lowson, W. Storey

Below: Details from the scorebook

About 1938: Evenwood Cricket Club

Back Row left to right: Maurice Dinsdale; Joe Stephenson; Billy Atkinson; Tommy Watson; Arthur Hewitson; Jos Priestley; Tommy Carrick; H.L. Baines; George Daniel (Scorer); George Lowson (Umpire)

Front Row: S. Peacock; Harold Mason; Sid Bussey; Fred Lowson; George Storey.

Some notes:

Maurice Dinsdale lived at Delaware Avenue. He went to play football for Sunderland and was understudy to Raich Carter; Joe Stephenson lived in the Centre; Tommy Watson was killed in the Second World War; Arthur Hewitson also lived at Delaware Avenue; Jos Priestley and Sid Bussey both lived at Copleland Row; Tommy Carrick lived at South View; Billy Atkinson was landlord of the Queens Head; S. Peacock was the policeman’s son from West Auckland and didn’t play many games; Harold Mason lived in Rochdale Street and was the Parich Council clerk; Fred Lowson lived at Swan Street; George Storey and George Lowson both lived at Chapel Street. H.L. Baines was the Randolph Colliery manager and had previously played for Evenwood C.C. It is likely that he was President or Patron of the cricket club.

1939:

Other clubs in the league that year were Willington, Wheatley Hill, Peases West, Shildon, Wolsingham, Esh Winning, Easington CW, Shildon LNER, Tudhoe, Horden and Ushaw Moor.

24 June, Evenwood won the last encounter with Etherley before the war stopped most of the sport played in the country. Etherley scored 131. Evenwood replied with 133 for 6 with George Clennell scoring an undefeated 47. The team was Joe Vickers, Herbert Peddelty, Arthur Mason, Victor Simpson, George Clennell, Edmund Cook, Billy Britton, Billy Hudson, George Storey and G. Cumming. There were only 10 men in the score book.

POST WAR UNTIL 1957: THE CLUB FOLDED AT THE END OF THE 1957 SEASON

This section will take the form of self-explanatory press articles supplemented by photos. The exact date when the club reformed after the Second World War is unknown (further research is required). The club folded in 1958.

Below: Possibly late 1940s/Early 1950s: Back Row left to right: Ronnie Peddelty; Ronnie Heaviside; Cyril Nicholson; George Storey; Harry Horsman

Front: Billy Bayles; Norman Bolton; Tommy Carrick; Harry Neasham; George Daniel

Scorer: Harry Clinton

Below: early 1950s Back Row: Ronnie Heaviside; unknown; Arthur Mason; unknown; unknown

Front: Umpire unknown; Ronnie Peddelty; Cyril Nicholson; George Storey; Billy Bayles; unknown; Jackie Kilcran; Umpire unknown. The name of the young lad at the front is unknown.

Below: EVENING DESPATCH 15 JULY 1951

Etherley defeat Evenwood, Gordon Franklin scored 138.

Below: 14 July 1951, Gordon Franklin’s achievement is recorded in the Etherley C.C. scorebook.

Below: Early 1950s: Ronnie Peddelty

Below: Early 1950s: Evenwood v Willington

Ronnie Peddelty and George Storey going out to bat with 2 Willington players alongside.

Below: early 1950s: Back Row left to right: Umpire unknown; Ronnie Peddelty; George Daniel; Ronnie Heaviside; Arthur Mason; Les Purdy; Umpire unknown

Front: Jackie Kilcran; ? Jewitt; Cyril Nicholson; George Storey; Joe Vickers; Harry Neasham

Scorer: Harry Clinton

Below: The next 4 images show the 1952 season fixture card. The club played in the Mid Durham Senior League Div.1. In addition to fixtures, details of the officials, committee, president and vice-presidents are given.