Belhus CC v Horndon-on-the-Hill CC (1962)
John Lewis Snr Mike Willett Danny Carroll Andrew Merton Frank Peters Mick Patrick
Dick Bignell George Dow Patrick Pooler-Williams Graham Cunliffe Roger Dalby
The 2nd XI's first match on 1st May, 1960 saw their opposition, London Graving Dock CC declare at 103 for 5. In reply, and at 80 for 3, we were coasting to victory, but then proceeded to lose our next 7 wickets for 10 runs to be all out for 90. This marked the origin of the famous 'Belhus Collapse'. So it proved an interesting weekend for the newly-formed Belhus CC and provided much food for thought for the selection committee the following week.
Grounds and Facilities
Apart from a pitch that was considered to be one of the best in South Essex, the changing and catering facilities at Belhus Park were housed in an ‘old green hut’. It served its purpose well in those early days but, recognising the increasing popularity of the game in and around the Belhus area, the local council built a new modern pavilion in 1965. An additional cricket square was laid and provided just the fillip for the establishment of a regular Second XI and the introduction of a Colts section.
Belhus CC at North Stifford Village Green
With an age-old ambition to own our own ground and have the opportunity to provide better facilities for members, we moved from Belhus Park to the present ground on North Stifford village green in 1997 and finalised negotiations for security of tenure in 2004. This development was undoubtedly the most significant in our history and with ambitious plans to improve the clubhouse and other facilities, we are busy with efforts to raise funds and develop new partnerships to achieve our objectives.
Development of League Cricket
With the exception of the SEDCB Knock-Out Cup (which we won in 1979), all of the club’s matches prior to the early 1970’s were non-competitive. With both the National and County cricket bodies keen to improve the standard of play at club level, league cricket was introduced in 1973, and the larger Essex clubs, including Belhus, were invited to participate. The competitive nature of league cricket has been a contributing factor to the improvement in the standard of play at all levels, but success solely on the field of play is no substitute for a club that boasts a congenial playing and social environment that stimulates camaraderie and a spirit of good fun. Belhus joined the Shepherd Neame Essex Cricket League in 2009 enjoying moderate success in its first season. Thanks to the hard work of many members, we achieved official credit and recognition for the quality of our pitch, ground and hospitality.
Tours
In 1966 the club undertook its first overseas tour – to Northern Ireland. The success of that first tour generated demand for a return visit in 1967, though it is not known why it was decided to travel by train and boat in preference to the Aer Lingus flight the previous year. The party of young Belhus players experienced the worst crossing over the Irish Sea for some twenty years and the party arrived in Belfast dock with a sense of much relief.
Old Pavilion, North Down CC, Northern Ireland
Belhus CC played North Down CC on 30th July, 1966
the day of England's football World Cup triumph
The club did not venture on its next overseas tour until 1976. This time the destination was the West Indies – to the Caribbean island of Barbados. Being the first club side in the United Kingdom to undertake a tour to Barbados, much interest was generated both at local and national level. Written congratulations were received from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh as well as the then captains of England and West Indies teams, Tony Greig and Clive Lloyd.
Local cricketing and diplomatic dignitaries acknowledged the importance of the Belhus CC visit to the island by inviting all tour party members to a reception at the official residence of the British High Commissioner, as well as arranging a match at the Kensington Oval, the test ground in Bridgetown. With opposition players including Wes Hall, Joel Garner and Wayne Daniel, tit is not surprising that he club did not exactly excel on the field of play, but the pioneering venture led the way for many future tours to Barbados by a great number of UK cricket clubs.
Queen's Park, Barbados 1976
v British High Commissioner's X1
B Hoyos M Finn R Young A Clarke P Garrud J Williams C Cansdale C Francis J Donovan D Guthrie L Unsworth B Line
L Nadal D Bignell T Pope N Fisher J Bacon D Reed G Morrant Bob Young R Anderson B Howkins
Another fifteen years passed before we toured Barbados again. Having already achieved pathfinder status among the cricketing fraternity on the island, the club’s visit in 1991 was warmly received and old friendships renewed. The playing standard of the tour party was much higher than the previous visit and the tour party returned home with a couple of victories under its belt.
Kensington Oval, Barbados 1991
Belhus CC v Pickwick CC
Jim Banner Jim Robertson Mat Lewis Derek Etchells Chris Adams Robert Walters Gary Plane Doug Harding Ali Nagir
Wayne Read Steve Liddiard Richard Waters Mark Winter Richard Wakely Colin Adams David Cayless
The club’s first domestic tour was to Hampshire in 1981 and the small coastal town of Southsea was selected as the headquarters for the week. The highlight and memory of the week arose even before a ball was bowled. Having announced to tour party members that the Bristol Hotel had been booked, some members, who shall remain nameless, made a long journey down to Bristol with a view of checking in at the Southsea Hotel! After frantic telephone calls, the lost party eventually found their team mates, but not before overtaking and flagging down a police car in the process! Without further memorable incident, Belhus played five matches during the course of the week securing victory in three, losing one and rain affecting the other. Other domestic tours have since been organised - to Devon, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Norfolk.
At St Helens CC , Lancashire 1994
Robert Waters, Peter Clark, Tony Lincoln, Mark Winter, Martin Dix, David Stone, Cliff Cansdale
Wayne Read, Richard Wakely, Jim Banner, Jim Robertson, Kelvin Carter
Youth Section
A key feature of the club has been a vibrant youth section. Having first established a Colts section in 1975, we today organise coaching and arrange an extensive schedule of matches for Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 age groups in an environment that is considered to be one of the friendliest in Essex. There have been numerous achievements in various League and Cup competitions, but the Belhus CC youth section is perhaps best known for its long history of organising tours. So far there have been no less than eleven youth tours, all based in Sussex, with the first being staged in 1977.
Youth Tour at Henfield CC, Sussex 2006
No other cricket club in the whole of Essex has undertaken such an ambitious programme of tours. This degree of activity is testament to the spirit of fun, friendliness and adventure that underpins the culture of Belhus Cricket Club, and is a differentiating factor for those who are looking to join a local club, but require rather more than just a game of cricket.
Further details of our club can be found on the left-hand sub-menus of our website:
The First Weekend
The 1st XI's inaugural match (referred to in the scorebook as a 'Practice Match', although it is not known if this was inserted before or after the match!) was against South Ockendon Hospital CC (at the time, one of the largest psychiatric institutions in the UK) on 30th April 1960. After being dismissed for 52 from 22 overs, we skittled out the opposition for just 25. Only one batsman reached double figures in the entire game - Greg Arendse of Belhus who scored 17. The following day, against Beltonians CC, the Belhus batsmen performed little better when they were dismissed for 55 (Major Patrick Pooler-Williams top-scored with 17) and we duly lost by 6 wickets.