In 1986, CROFTON became the first winners of the Hampshire League's new County Division 4, having been South East Division champions in the HL's inaugural season.
They nabbed the CD4 leadership in mid-July and held off challenges by Burridge and Leckford by four and five points, respectively. The standard of pitches, particularly local authority one's, was appreciably poorer in the late Eighties, so no surprise runs were at a premium with only Don Ware (313) making in excess of 300 runs for Crofton. In fact, only two batsmen in the entire CD4 averages made more than 350 in the season and only two centuries were scored.
All-rounder Chris Heywood's arrival on the scene proved a 'dividend' - he was a regional manager with the Coop ! - as he made 165 runs in addition to taking 25 wickets. Ian Suckling grabbed 24 wickets and Lancastrian John Nolan bagged 27. Crofton merged with Fareham and set up base at Bath Lane in 1990.
CROFTON (standing from left): Phil Jubb (scorer), Norman Stares, Graham Marchant, Bob Gill, Don Ware, John Nolan, Paul Jenkins, Tim Pashley (umpire). Seated: Brian Keen, Vaughan Bidwell, Bob Marchant, Chris Heywood, Ray Stubbington.
* The Leckford father and son duo (both) John Western doubtless enjoyed chatting cricket over Sunday lunch as dad topped the CD4 averages with 557 runs and son the bowling stats with 47 poles.
They nabbed the CD4 leadership in mid-July and held off challenges by Burridge and Leckford by four and five points, respectively. The standard of pitches, particularly local authority one's, was appreciably poorer in the late Eighties, so no surprise runs were at a premium with only Don Ware (313) making in excess of 300 runs for Crofton. In fact, only two batsmen in the entire CD4 averages made more than 350 in the season and only two centuries were scored.
All-rounder Chris Heywood's arrival on the scene proved a 'dividend' - he was a regional manager with the Coop ! - as he made 165 runs in addition to taking 25 wickets. Ian Suckling grabbed 24 wickets and Lancastrian John Nolan bagged 27. Crofton merged with Fareham and set up base at Bath Lane in 1990.
CROFTON (standing from left): Phil Jubb (scorer), Norman Stares, Graham Marchant, Bob Gill, Don Ware, John Nolan, Paul Jenkins, Tim Pashley (umpire). Seated: Brian Keen, Vaughan Bidwell, Bob Marchant, Chris Heywood, Ray Stubbington.
* The Leckford father and son duo (both) John Western doubtless enjoyed chatting cricket over Sunday lunch as dad topped the CD4 averages with 557 runs and son the bowling stats with 47 poles.
