The most memorable of days. Stanford CC celebrated 100 years at the Rec
By Nub News Reporter
31st May 2025 | Cricket
MANY new memories were made as Stanford Cricket Club celebrated the beginning of its second century playing at the twon's Recreation Ground with a match against the MCC.
Thursday, 29 May saw the most historic cricket match ever played at Rec and it was acclaimed 'the most special of days.'
SLHCC captain Tom Willats won the toss and in time-honoured tradition for such matches asked MCC to bat first.
In lovely Spring conditions, MCC made a decent start and reached 141-3 at lunch, with Kalum Sampath and Tom Willats taking the wickets to fall.
A delicious and leisurely two -course lunch (provided by Magpie Catering) was then taken with over 50 people sitting down to eat in the Clubhouse.
During lunch, SLHCC Chairman Robert Pearn, spoke on behalf of the Club giving the guests a background to SLHCC and The Rec's cricketing history.
MCC Captain Danny Joyce replied for the guests and presented SLHCC with an MCC plaque to commemorate the occasion.
On the resumption of play Daryl Woodford and Robert Page then kept things pretty tight after lunch until MCC declared at 199-8.
In reply, Tom Willats and Martin Leslie opened the batting for SLHCC and by tea had reached 25-1.
The players tucked into a delicious celebration cake made for the day by Sweet Catering. Following that, the club held a Community tea with wonderful cakes made by club members and generous local firms being enjoyed by spectators (which numbered 150 at one point during the afternoon) free of charge.
Despite decent knocks of 49 by Robert Page and 28 by Michael Edwards, SLHCC fell away from a promising position of 105-3 to end up 151 all out and defeat by 48 runs.
But although the win was not achieved, SLHCC was delighted with the day overall.
SLHCC Cricket Committee Chair Mark Nuttall said "We are delighted and honoured that MCC awarded this match to our club.
"Much preparation by many people was put into the day, for which we are very grateful to our members, sponsors and local cake-makers, who provided many delicious cakes for the Community Tea.
"Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way."
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