Influx of Cricketers at Sodbury (1955-1959)

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In 1955, Reg Quinlan joined Chipping Sodbury at the age of 16 and in his very first match against Harris's XI at The Ridings on May 14th he performed a remarkable bowling feat by taking five wickets in seven balls (including the "hat trick ") without conceding a run and finished with 7 for 22.

There were many fine individual performances during the 1955 season- Scott's 98 (72 in boundaries) against Dursley at The Ridings on May 28th; Wally Lewis's 7 for 56 (including the "hat trick ") against Marshfield at The Ridings on Whit Sunday; Frank Cowles's 7 for 30 against Harris's XI at Calne on June 11th; Scott's first century for Chipping Sodbury against the Fatalists at The Ridings on June 12th when he had eleven sixes and seven fours in his undefeated 117; Graham Wiltshire's 8 for 18 in 13.3 overs (including the hat trick ") against Harris's at Calne on June 18th: Scott's second undefeated century on June 25th against Oldfield Park at Bath, an unbroken stand of 140 for the third wicket between Scott and Peter Freeman (44 not out) and Reg Quinlan's 7 for 17 in 10.4 overs in the same match.

Highest Score

On Saturday, July 9th, 1955, the 1st XI achieved the distinction of scoring the highest number of runs in Bristol and South Gloucestershire cricket. Batting for 2 ¼ hours they reached a total of 285 for 4 declared (Tony Pinnell 99, Colin Scott 89) at The Ridings and dismissed Erinoid in 16 overs for 54. Les Nelson scored 95 out of 190 for 9 dec. against RAF Hullavington on July 16th and Scott completed two more centuries-110 against Bristol British Legion at The Ridings on July 17th and 109 not out at Bath against Horstman Sports Club over the August Bank Holiday.

The 1st XI remained unbeaten from Whit Monday until August 7th, 1955. On August 13th at Stroud, Scott captured 8 Erinoid wickets for 23 runs in 45 deliveries, finishing off the innings with a "hat trick".

At The Ridings on August 20th, Graham Greenaway (103 not out) and John King (50 not out) figured in an undefeated first wicket partnership of 180 (scored in 140 minutes) against Harris's of Calne, this being Greenaway's maiden century for Chipping Sodbury. The Club snatched an exciting six-run win in the final over, Peter Freeman bowling unchanged to finish with 8 for 58. There were other fine performances by Mel Howell (7 for 48 against the Fatalists at The Ridings on August 28th) Wally Lewis (8 for 38 against Bitton at The Ridings on September 4th) and by Peter Freeman (53 out of 130 and 7 for 56 against Keynsham on September 10th).

Colin Scott topped the batting and bowling averages of both the 1st and Sunday XI's, scoring in all a total of 893 runs for an average of 59.3 and taking a total of 67 wickets at a cost of 6.4 runs apiece. Newcomers to the Club - Graham Greenaway, Tony Pinnell, Peter Freeman, Reg Quinlan and Mel Howell-all finished among the leading averages in 1955. Frank Cowles had an excellent season with the 2nd XI scoring 306 runs (average 18) and taking 64 wickets (average 8.6).

At the annual meeting on November 8th, 1955, Wally Lewis was appointed 1st XI skipper and John Leslie was elected Sunday XI captain with Peter Freeman as vice-captain of both XI's. Bill Backhouse joined the management committee.

More Additions

By the start of the 1956 season, a Nissen hut had been purchased to accommodate the ever-increasing items of Club equipment. The erection of this building was not without incident as two 1960's committee members will readily recall. The framework had been methodically placed in position and the construction party were having a brief pause in their labours to admire their handiwork when along came a gust of wind and the entire structure collapsed to the ground!

A towing vehicle-in the form of an ex-W.D. 15 cwt. truck-was also acquired as a temporary measure to haul the gang mowers around the outfield; and the value of the Nissen hut soon became apparent as further equipment was purchased.

In the opening match of the 1956 season, Mel Howell took eight Tormarton wickets for six runs in eight overs and a fortnight later clean bowled seven Twyford House batsmen for 19 runs while playing for the 2nd XI. On June 3rd the Sunday XI reached their highest total of the season with 221 for 5 declared at The Ridings against Newbridge. Graham Greenaway scored an undefeated 108 in 107 minutes (82 in boundaries) and put on 158 runs in 95 minutes for the second wicket with Graham Wiltshire.

The Sunday XI's regular openers, Les Nelson (77) and John King (40) had an opening stand of 116 in 87 minutes against Hengrove and District on June 17th and Graham Greenaway scored his second century of the season on June 24th when he hit 105 not out off the Sherston attack at The Ridings in 127 minutes, bringing his aggregate number of runs in ten innings (five times not out) to 537.

The 1st XI surrendered their unbeaten record on July 14th. Next day the Sunday XI passed Bristol British Legion's total of 111 and Les Nelson, who was then 79 not out, went on to complete a century. On August Bank Holiday Monday, Graham Wiltshire took 8 for 27 in 14 overs against a Westbury-on-Trym XI at The Ridings. On August 12th, the Sunday XI raced to a score of 246 for 4 declared in 110 minutes against Friars C.C. at The Ridings, the opening partnership of 123 between Les Nelson (57) and John King (56) being scored in 47 minutes!

Graham Greenaway scored a total of 884 runs in 1956 giving him an average of 52.3 while John King topped 700 runs. Bowling honours went to the 1st XI skipper, Wally Lewis whose 58 wickets cost 9.3 runs each.

Coaching Classes

Another successful year was reported at the annual meeting on November 20th, 1956 when members voted in favour of a scheme for providing indoor group coaching facilities during the winter months. Weekly classes subsequently started at the Portcullis Hotel Clubroom on January 14th, 1957. In January 1957, the Club suffered a great loss by the death of their former secretary, John Binks.

By the start of the 1957 season, a generating set had been purchased and installed in the Nissen hut at The Ridings and the old paraffin lamps were replaced by electric lighting. The wooden fence, which enclosed the cricket ground, was removed and Chipping Sodbury Town Trust generously agreed to provide concrete posts and wire to replace it, the work being undertaken by Club members.

There was some sensational cricket at The Ridings on May 12th, 1957, when the Sunday XI dismissed Newman Hender for only 12 runs in 13.3 overs. Graham Wiltshire took 6 for 10 in 7 overs (three maidens) and Melvyn Howell's analysis was 6.3 overs, 5 maidens, 1 run, 4 wickets. There was one leg bye. Playing for the 2nd XI against an Admiralty side at Bath on May 18th, Dick Iles took 6 for 19, including the "hat trick" and when St. George went into bat in reply to the Sunday XI's total of 201 (scored in 125 minutes) at The Ridings on June 16th, Mel Howell finished off their innings by performing the ''hat trick."

Growing Numbers

Halfway through the season, there was a steady flow of new members into the Club and it became increasingly apparent that something would have to be done to accommodate them. To this end, an Evening XI was introduced with a view to forming an Extra Sunday XI in 1958. In July, Reg Quinlan attended a weekend cricket course, sponsored by the Gloucestershire Youth Cricket Council at Cowley Manor, Cheltenham where he created such a favourable impression with the M.C.C. coaches that the Club subsequently recommended him to Gloucestershire C.C.C. In 1958 he made a number of appearances with the County's Club and Ground XI and in Centenary Year, at the age of 21, he was regularly appearing with Gloucestershire 2nd XI.

On July 27th, Frank Cowles finished with the remarkable analysis of 10 overs, 9 maidens, 2 runs, 6 wickets against Westbury Nomads at The Ridings in a 2nd XI match and on August 17th, Mel Howell scored his maiden century for Chipping Sodbury in the 2nd XI'S game with Harris's 11. He reached his century in 77 minutes and finished with 112 out of 199 for 6 declared.

While the players were taking tea at The Ridings on Sunday, August 18th, 1957, smoke was seen coming from the rear door of the visitors' dressing room in the pavilion. Sandwiches and cakes were hurriedly forgotten as the alarm was raised and white-flannelled "firemen " successfully employed the hose pipe (normally used for operating the sprinkler on the square) before any real damage was done.

Dick Iles captured his 50th wicket of the season when playing for the 2nd XI against a Royal Navy Departmental XI at Bath on August 24th and at Bitton on August 31st, Peter Freeman clean bowled three batsmen in his second over to perform the "hat trick.". John King emerged as the leading run-getter in 1957 with 749 runs while Graham Greenaway and Tony Pinnell each topped the 500 mark. Most successful bowlers were Frank Cowles who took a total of 83 wickets, Mel Howell (76) and Dick Iles (57).

A Fourth XI

In view of the increased playing membership it was decided at the annual meeting on November 26th, 1957, to introduce an extra Sunday XI and this meant that, for the first time in its history, the Club would be operating four teams. John King became 1st XI vice-captain; Peter Guy took over the captaincy of the 2nd XI; Tony Pinnell was made Sunday XI skipper and Norman Buckeridge was appointed captain of the newly-formed Extra Sunday XI. Wally Vickery and Jack Sandells relinquished their membership of the management committee after many years of valuable service.

On March 21st, 1958, a very successful supper (which was to become an annual event prior to the start of each playing season) was held at the Grapes Hotel and the following month, the Club purchased a Fordson tractor to replace the old Guy truck for towing the gang mowers. Work began on erecting the new boundary fence and certain preliminary arrangements for Centenary Year (1960) were already being planned.

In the opening match of the 1958 season, the 2nd XI disposed of Westbury G.P.O. for only 13 runs, Mel Howell conceding only one run in eight overs while taking four wickets. Against Gloucester Harlequins on May 4th at The Ridings, Graham Wiltshire finished with an analysis of 6.2 overs, 2 maidens, 14 runs, 8 wickets. Then, playing for the Extra Sunday XI on May 13th against F. Bezers XI, he was responsible for the dismissal of all ten visiting batsmen taking 9 for 9 in 7.2 overs (3 maidens) and catching the tenth man.

Ten Wicket Feat

In the annual all-day match at Sherston on Whit Monday, 1958, Wally Lewis, the 1st XI skipper, performed the rare feat of taking all ten wickets in one innings-the first time he had achieved this in his long playing career. His analysis in the first innings was 10.5 overs, 3 maidens, 26 runs, 10 wickets and in Sherston's second knock he took 5 for 32.

John King, 1st XI vice-captain and opening bat, scored his maiden century for the Club in 113 minutes on May 31st at The Ridings, finishing with 110 not out in a total of 190 for 6, the match being won with a bye off the last ball. Peter Freeman performed the "hat trick" against Harris's of Calne at The Ridings on June 7th, finishing with 6 for 23.

Chipping Sodbury Club members were thrilled with the news on June 18th, 1958, from Leeds where Gloucestershire were playing Yorkshire. Graham Wiltshire took 7 Yorkshire wickets for 52 runs and finished off their innings with the "hat trick" A telegram congratulating him on his fine performance arrived in the Gloucestershire dressing room next morning from his colleagues at Chipping Sodbury.

There were two fine bowling performances on June 2lst-Reg Quinlan's 7 for 28 in 16 overs for the 1st XI against King's Stanley and Frank Cowles' 7 for 10 in 11 overs for the 2nd XI against Wick 2nd XI. A week later, Reg Quinlan scored 85 not out in a total of 117 for 7 against Fairway, making the winning hit with a six.

...And Again

Graham Greenaway came near to equalling Jarvis Savory's 1935 record of scoring centuries in two consecutive matches on the following weekend (July 5th and 6th). Against Sperry's on the Saturday he scored 92 not out in a total of 174 for 2 declared and followed this up next day with 116 not out (scored in 105 minutes) in a total of 213 for 4 declared against Saltford at The Ridings. The Sunday game was a memorable one indeed because when Saltlord went into bat, Peter Freeman became the second Club player that season to take all ten wickets in one innings-and he performed the "hat trick" for good measure. Bowling unchanged he finished with an analysis of 13.5 overs, 3 maidens, 25 runs, 10 wickets.

Reg Quinlan nearly made it a " hat trick " of ten wickets in one innings when he took 9 for 16 in 21 overs (12 maidens) against St. Philip's (Bath) on August 10th. Graham Greenaway (850 runs), Reg Quinlan (662) and John King (606) were the leading run-getters in 1958. Reg Quinlan also took the most wickets (70), followed .by Dick Iles (62), Wally Lewis (60), Frank Cowles (54) and Peter Freeman (53).

New players were welcomed at the annual meeting on November 25th, 1958, including John Griffiths, the former Gloucestershire player. Wally Lewis retired as 1st XI captain and was succeeded by Peter Guy, John Leslie taking over the captaincy of the 2nd XI.

And so to Centenary Year, which was ceremoniously heralded at midnight on New Year's Eve during the course of the annual dance at the Town Hall- and Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club's 100th anniversary was duly toasted by the members present.