Churchstanton Cricket Club (later to become Churchinford Cricket Club) was founded in April 1891. At the first known Annual General Meeting 29th April 1891 the Rev. A.D. Taylor was elected President, Dr. Barker, Captain and the Rev. F.E.W. Langdon Sub-captain/ Treasurer, the first ground was kindly lent by Mr. Westlake.
The first recorded result was a game played with Upottery on midsummers day 1891, although the team didn’t win or anything like it the game was a very pleasant affair, apart from one incident when Mr. Downes, Upottery’s top scorer that day, was forced to retire hurt when one of his fingers was inured whilst batting.
Other games in the early years included a friendly match in August 1891 between the Rev. A.D. Taylor and Dr. Barker, the Rev. Taylor winning by 4 runs on the first innings. The only other information available regarding the game is that the weather was beautiful and a large number of people made an appearance. The final game of that year was against Clayhidon and Churchstaunton emerged as victors.
The following years brought few games, the main opposition being Clayhidon but a new fixture arranged was that against Amberd, Trull. The first fixture was played at Churchstanton resulting in a victory for the visitors. A gentleman)s agreement existed to play 12 a side and Amberd batted first compiling 111, a notable cricket score, for the loss of eight wickets. Churchstanton could only manage 17 followed by 18 in the second innings to lose by an innings and 86 runs. Mr. Jennings taking the first recorded hat-trick against Churchstanton.
1933 was a quiet year only 9 recorded fixtures of which 3 were won and 6 lost. Most notable performance of the year being Will (Boy) Ewins 7 for 6 against Bishopswood in June.
However, a low point was the team performance at Kingston when they were dismissed for 7, eight players failing to get off the mark (the lowest score in club history).
The following years brought more notable events off the field than on. At the Annual General Meeting in February 1934 fixture cards were printed for the first time and Club funds were boosted by the annual whist drive, Col. Walmsley taking charge and the Ist XI supplying the prizes.
At the next General Meeting it was suggested that evening matches be played with neighbouring clubs and due to team performance it was decided to hold practice sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays. Subscriptions were also levied at 1 shilling. Messrs. Blackmore granted the use of a field during the season This season saw the first married men versus single men’s match with the married men the victors.
Due to little support two meetings were required in 1937 to decide whether to continue the Club. However, by the end of May membership had swelled and the Club continued, this meant that the old hut would need creosoting before the season commenced, a task ably undertaken by Mr. E. Jenkins.
The following year it was decided that the ground be changed from the Sentry field to Pipers at Churchinford. It was agreed that matches should be arranged for evenings and if any afternoon matches were played the players would pay for their own tea and that of the visitors. Notable performances included a 57 by Mr. J. Pitman out of a total of 85 against Luppitt and several wickets for Sam Wool and Gilbert Crabb, and a tied match at Upottery both teams scoring 41.
Due to the Second World War an extra ordinary meeting was held in November 1940 culminating in the Club being held in abeyance, with Mr. Gilbert Crabb and Mr. Joe V. Pitman appointed as Trustees. A great vote of thanks was given to Mr. Hunt for allowing the hut to remain in Pipers field during the war.
July 1946 saw the re-emergence of the Club and the Annual General Meeting was held at Stapley Farm by kind permission of Major Lubbeck. The ground was again to change in the forthcoming year, this time from Churchinford to the Rectory Field at Churchstanton.
in 1949 the Headquarters moved to the York Inn, Churchinford where it ins continued ever since, followed by the change of name to Churchinford Crocket Club in the close season of 1950. Improvements to both the playing field and equipment were made in 1952, with a fence being bought to protect the playing pitch!
A full history of the Club can be found in the small booklet Churchinford Cricket Club Centenary 1891-1991 available for further research in the Somerset Cricket Museum offices (from which the above details have been reproduced).
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