1747 English cricket season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

In the 1747 English cricket season, the single wicket

Single Wicket

Single wicket cricket is a form of cricket played between two individuals, who take turns to bat and bowl against each other. The one bowling is assisted by a team of fielders, who remain as fielders at the change of innings. The winner is the one who scores more runs...

form of the game was very popular among the gamblers of London and matches were disrupted because of a General Election

General election

In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...

Matches

Date	Match Title	Venue	Result
13 May (W)	Croydon Croydon Cricket Club The original Croydon Cricket Club was one of the oldest in England with origins going back to the early 18th century and perhaps earlier. It played most of its matches at Duppas Hill. The earliest record of the club is in the 1707 season when it played two matches against London Cricket... & Addington Addington Cricket Club Addington is about three miles south-east of Croydon. It is only a small place but Addington Cricket Club fielded one of the strongest cricket teams in England from about the 1743 season to the 1752 season.... v Greenwich & Deptford	Duppas Hill Duppas Hill Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation... , Croydon	result unknown
Pre-announced in the London Evening Post on Sat 9 May but no report of the game was found.
29 May (F) & 9 June (Tu)	Croydon & Addington v London London Cricket Club The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:...	Duppas Hill Duppas Hill Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation... , Croydon	C&A won
Apparently it was unfinished on 29 May and the players agreed to play it out more than a week later.
1 & 2 June (M-Tu)	London v Croydon & Addington	Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...	London won
The previous match being incomplete would be played out on Tuesday next at Duppas Hill Duppas Hill Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation... .
12 June (F)	Dartford Dartford Cricket Club Dartford Cricket Club is one of the oldest in England and its origins go back to the early 18th century, perhaps earlier.See also: Dartford Brent... v London	Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of...	result unknown
No details reported.
15 June (M)	London v Croydon & Addington	Artillery Ground	result unknown
They have played two matches this season, and each won one with great difficulty, being two days playing each match.
29 June (M)	London v Dartford	Artillery Ground	result unknown
No details known other than that wickets were to be pitched at two o’clock. Two games between Kent and All-England were due to be played at Bromley Common Bromley Common Bromley Common is the area centered around the road of the same name, stretching between Masons Hill at the south end of Bromley and Hastings Road, Locksbottom. Part of the A21... on Mon 29 June and at the Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London... on Wed 1 July, but both matches are deferred on account of the gentlemen subscribers being engaged at several Elections. The Parliamentary Election General election In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term... of 1747 resulted in a Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... government under Henry Pelham Henry Pelham Henry Pelham was a British Whig statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 27 August 1743 until his death in 1754... (1694-1754). In those days, voting was limited to landed gentry (i.e., to fully paid up members of the Hanoverian aristocracy).
2 July (Th)	Dartford v Hadlow Hadlow Cricket Club Hadlow Cricket Club was one of the early English cricket clubs, formed in the early to mid eighteenth century. Hadlow is a village in the Medway valley near Tonbridge in Kent.-The historical club:...	Dartford Brent	result unknown
This was pre-announced in the Penny London Post of Wed 1 July as the deciding match but there is no report of the game and no references to the earlier fixture(s).
9 July (Th)	Long Robin’s XI v W Hodsoll’s XI	Artillery Ground	result unknown
A scratch match arranged by members of the London Cricket Club London Cricket Club The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:... . Most players’ names are known but no scores. The exact title is unknown but one team consisted mainly of players from London, Bromley and Slindon Slindon Cricket Club Slindon Cricket Club was famous in the middle part of the 18th century when it claimed to have the best team in England. It was located at Slindon, a village in the Arun district of Sussex.... , the other mainly of players from Dartford and Hadlow. Teams were: Long Robin’s XI: Robert Colchin Robert Colchin Robert "Long Robin" Colchin was a highly influential professional English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular.-Cricket career:... , John Bryant, James Bryant, John Bowra John Bowra John Bowra was an English professional cricketer of the mid-Georgian period who made 5 known appearances in first-class cricket.-Career:John Bowra has been identified as "Mr... , "Little" Bennett Bennett (London cricketer) "Little" Bennett was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for London Cricket Club in the 1740s and 1750s. He was almost certainly the brother of the player known as Tall Bennett... , Thomas Jure Thomas Jure Thomas Jure was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for the famous London Cricket Club and also for All-England.... , Richard Newland Richard Newland Richard Newland was an English cricketer in the mid-Georgian period who played for Slindon Cricket Club and Sussex under the patronage of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond. He also represented various All-England teams... , Adam Newland Richard Newland Richard Newland was an English cricketer in the mid-Georgian period who played for Slindon Cricket Club and Sussex under the patronage of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond. He also represented various All-England teams... , John Newland Richard Newland Richard Newland was an English cricketer in the mid-Georgian period who played for Slindon Cricket Club and Sussex under the patronage of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond. He also represented various All-England teams... and two others W Hodsoll’s XI: William Hodsoll William Hodsoll William Hodsoll , was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period. Hodsoll lived at Dartford for some years and was a tanner .... , Broad, John Bell, Thomas Bell, Allen, J Harris Harris brothers (cricketers) John Harris and his brother Joseph Harris were English cricketers in the 1740s and 1750s... , Tom Faulkner Tom Faulkner Tom Faulkner , known as "Long Tom", was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period.A Surrey man, he was a prominent single wicket player who frequently played in challenge matches at the Artillery Ground.... , John Larkin John Larkin (cricketer) John Larkin was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular.... and others from the parish of Hadlow in Kent. It is not known which of John or Joseph Harris was involved.
28 July (Tu)	T Faulkner’s XI v J Bowra’s XI	Kennington Common	result unknown
This was billed as Long Tom versus the Kentish Shepherd, those being the nicknames of Tom Faulkner Tom Faulkner Tom Faulkner , known as "Long Tom", was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period.A Surrey man, he was a prominent single wicket player who frequently played in challenge matches at the Artillery Ground.... , who was also a prizefighter, and John Bowra John Bowra John Bowra was an English professional cricketer of the mid-Georgian period who made 5 known appearances in first-class cricket.-Career:John Bowra has been identified as "Mr... .
17 August (M)	London v Ripley & Bromley Bromley Cricket Club Bromley Cricket Club was one of the strongest English cricket clubs in the mid-18th century when its team was led by Robert Colchin aka "Long Robin".-Earliest mentions:...	Artillery Ground	result unknown
A statement by Mr George Smith George Smith (cricketer) George Smith was an English cricketer and also the "keeper" of the Artillery Ground, which was cricket's main venue in London during the mid-Georgian period.... , the Keeper of the Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London... : These matches being attended with great Charge the Door, for the Future, will be Six-pence; Two-pence not being sufficient to defray the Expense. The match was to be played for fifty guineas per side.
20 August (Th)	Ripley & Bromley v London	Ripley Green	result unknown
No details reported.
24 August (M)	London v Hadlow	Artillery Ground	result unknown
Hadlow Hadlow Hadlow is a village in the Medway valley, near Tonbridge, Kent; it is in the Tonbridge and Malling district. The Saxon name for the settlement was Haeselholte... , near Tonbridge Tonbridge Tonbridge is a market town in the English county of Kent, with a population of 30,340 in 2007. It is located on the River Medway, approximately 4 miles north of Tunbridge Wells, 12 miles south west of Maidstone and 29 miles south east of London... in Kent, was stated to be a famous parish for cricket.
31 August (M)	All-England All-England Eleven In cricket, the term All-England has been used for various non-international teams that have been formed for short-term purposes since the 1739 English cricket season and it indicates that the "Rest of England" is playing against, say, MCC or an individual county team... v Kent Kent county cricket teams Kent county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. Kent, jointly with Sussex, is the birthplace of the sport...	Artillery Ground	result unknown
This game and the next one were the two postponed earlier in the season because of the Parliamentary Election. Another statement from George Smith: The Town may be certain that the taking Six-pence Admittance is out of no avaricious Temper. Two-pence being greatly insufficient to the Charge that attends the Matches, which Mr Smith is ready and willing to make appear to any Gentleman. The advertised teams (in the Daily Advertiser on Mon 31 August) were: Kent: Robert Colchin Robert Colchin Robert "Long Robin" Colchin was a highly influential professional English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular.-Cricket career:... , John Bryant, James Bryant (all Bromley), Val Romney Val Romney Valentine "Val" Romney was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket during the 1740s. A specialist batsman, he was mainly associated with Kent but also represented All-England... , Kipps Kipps (Kent cricketer) Kipps aka Kips was a noted English wicketkeeper in Georgian cricket. He was from Eltham in Kent but other personal information about him, including his first name, is unknown... , John Mansfield (all Sevenoaks), John Bell, Thomas Bell (both Dartford), — Jones, John Larkin John Larkin (cricketer) John Larkin was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular.... (both Hadlow), Robert Eures Robert Eures Robert Eures was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century. He came from Bexley in Kent and played for Kent county cricket teams as well as for All-England... (Bexley). All-England: Richard Newland (Slindon), — Green (Amberley, Sussex), Stephen Dingate Stephen Dingate Stephen Dingate was a leading English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period. He almost certainly began playing in the 1720s and was one of the best known players in England through the 1740s.... , "Little" Bennett, Thomas Jure Thomas Jure Thomas Jure was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for the famous London Cricket Club and also for All-England.... (all London), Thomas Faulkner, Joseph Harris, — Broad, George Jackson George Jackson (cricketer) George Jackson was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for the famous Addington Cricket Club and for Surrey... (all Addington), William Sawyer (Richmond), — Maynard (Surrey).
2 September (W)	Kent v All-England	Bromley Common Bromley Common Bromley Common is the area centered around the road of the same name, stretching between Masons Hill at the south end of Bromley and Hastings Road, Locksbottom. Part of the A21...	result unknown
No details reported. This match was advertised at the same time as the first one and not subsequently.

Other events

Mon 6 July. Five of Slindon

Slindon Cricket Club

Slindon Cricket Club was famous in the middle part of the 18th century when it claimed to have the best team in England. It was located at Slindon, a village in the Arun district of Sussex....

versus Five of Dartford

Dartford Cricket Club

Dartford Cricket Club is one of the oldest in England and its origins go back to the early 18th century, perhaps earlier.See also: Dartford Brent...

at the Artillery Ground

Artillery Ground

The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...

. This was the result of a challenge by Slindon, published in the Daily Advertiser on Mon 29 June, to play five of any parish in England, for their own Sum. The announcement advised interested parties: If it is accepted of by any, they are desir’d to go to Mr Smith, who has Orders to make Stakes for them. The three Newland brothers

Richard Newland

Richard Newland was an English cricketer in the mid-Georgian period who played for Slindon Cricket Club and Sussex under the patronage of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond. He also represented various All-England teams...

all played. On Sat 4 July, Mr Smith

George Smith (cricketer)

George Smith was an English cricketer and also the "keeper" of the Artillery Ground, which was cricket's main venue in London during the mid-Georgian period....

announced in the same paper that five of Dartford in Kent, have made Stakes with him, and will play with the above Gentlemen at the Time and Place above mentioned for twenty Pounds.

Wed 8 July. Five of Slindon versus Five of Bromley

Bromley Cricket Club

Bromley Cricket Club was one of the strongest English cricket clubs in the mid-18th century when its team was led by Robert Colchin aka "Long Robin".-Earliest mentions:...

at the Artillery Ground

Artillery Ground

The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...

. Another game resulting from Slindon’s challenge. The Newland brothers played for Slindon again.

Fri 10 July. Five of Slindon versus Five of Hadlow

Hadlow Cricket Club

Hadlow Cricket Club was one of the early English cricket clubs, formed in the early to mid eighteenth century. Hadlow is a village in the Medway valley near Tonbridge in Kent.-The historical club:...

at the Artillery Ground. Another game resulting from Slindon’s five-a-side challenge. Details unknown.

Wed 15 July. Five of Slindon versus Five of Hadlow at the Artillery Ground. A return game which suggests Hadlow might have won the first as Slindon, having issued the initial challenge, might wish to try for honours even. Details unknown.

In early August, there were two single wicket matches, at the Artillery Ground

Artillery Ground

The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...

which were organised by the Duke of Richmond

Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond

The 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...

. In the first, three of his employees Stephen Dingate

Stephen Dingate

Stephen Dingate was a leading English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period. He almost certainly began playing in the 1720s and was one of the best known players in England through the 1740s....

, Joseph Budd and Pye defeated the two Bennetts

Bennett (London cricketer)

"Little" Bennett was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for London Cricket Club in the 1740s and 1750s. He was almost certainly the brother of the player known as Tall Bennett...

and William Anderson

William Anderson (cricketer)

William Anderson was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who was principally associated with the famous London Cricket Club....

. In the second, the same threes were to play again but in a "fives" match with the two Bryants added to the Duke’s team and with Tom Faulkner

Tom Faulkner

Tom Faulkner , known as "Long Tom", was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period.A Surrey man, he was a prominent single wicket player who frequently played in challenge matches at the Artillery Ground....

and one of the Harrises

Harris brothers (cricketers)

John Harris and his brother Joseph Harris were English cricketers in the 1740s and 1750s...

to their opponents. The result of the second game is unknown.

Sat 5 September. Three-a-side game at the Artillery Ground: Long Robin’s Side versus Stephen Dingate’s Side. The teams were Robert Colchin

Robert Colchin

Robert "Long Robin" Colchin was a highly influential professional English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular.-Cricket career:...

, John Harris and Val Romney

Val Romney

Valentine "Val" Romney was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket during the 1740s. A specialist batsman, he was mainly associated with Kent but also represented All-England...

against Stephen Dingate

Stephen Dingate

Stephen Dingate was a leading English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period. He almost certainly began playing in the 1720s and was one of the best known players in England through the 1740s....

, Richard Newland

Richard Newland

and Thomas Jure

Thomas Jure

Thomas Jure was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for the famous London Cricket Club and also for All-England....

. It was played for sixty guineas per side and the players were specially chosen from those who had played in the Kent v All-England games above, so presumably they must have been the best performers in those matches. It was ruled that all Strokes behind as well as before Wickets counted and in this respect the contest differs from any Three Match ever play’d.

First mentions

John Bell
John Larkin
John Larkin (cricketer)
John Larkin was a noted English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular....
John Mansfield
Robert Eures
Robert Eures
Robert Eures was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century. He came from Bexley in Kent and played for Kent county cricket teams as well as for All-England...
Thomas Bell
Thomas Jure
Thomas Jure
Thomas Jure was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for the famous London Cricket Club and also for All-England....
Joseph Budd (Sussex)
Pye (Sussex)

Matches

Other events

First mentions

External sources

Further reading