EYNSHAM C.C. IN THE 1800s

The only local newspaper in the early to mid-1800s was the 'Jacksons Oxford Journal' which was published on Saturdays. It reported everything from local news including reports from all the towns in Oxfordshire, articles from parliament ('London Intelligence'), market prices for livestock, wheat etc. and also. importantly, sport.. Looking back through the Journals (to 1833) It has become apparent that little cricket was played outside the colleges and larger towns in Oxfordshire until the 1840s. There then occurred a steady growth in match reports covering local cricket to supplement those covering the varsity games, inter-college and University-County fixtures.

The first mention of Eynsham Cricket Club appears in the Journal dated 23 September 1848.

"Woolvercott and Ensham - the return match between the Clubs of Woolvercott and Ensham was played on the ground of the former in Port Meadow on Monday last, when, after a highly interesting and well contested match, the wickets were drawn at half-past six-o-clock, with the following score:

Woolvercott 44 and 134, Ensham 97 and 74 - leaving the latter with 8 runs to win with 2 wickets to go down."

Unfortunately no record exists of the first encounter played at 'Ensham'. A 2-innings game to mark the 150th anniversary of these matches was held in Eynsham against Wolvercote in 1988, with Eynsham winning another close contest from the final ball of the day.

The next reference occurs on 20 October 1849:

"On Wednesday last the members of the Eynsham Club concluded the season by playing a match between the married and the single; after a well contested game the competitors, with many of their respective friends, dined together at the Swann Inn. The dinner and wines were of first rate character, and the way in which they were served was highly creditable to the respected master of the establishment. The evening passed most harmoniously and it was hoped that this manly game would be well supported another year, as many of the respectable inhabitants of the parish have signified their intention to do so".

There are many references to 'married versus single' or 'young versus old' type of matches around this time which may be an indication that fixtures against other Clubs were hard to come by. This is hardly surprising given that the only transport available at the time was the horse and cart. The railway was another 15 - 20 years away. Even a fixture against a local village would be quite an expedition, especially when it is realised that most people at that time never ventured more than six or seven miles from their home in their entire lives. The other interesting thing to note from this report is the date. Cricket in the mid-1800s tended to be played from June right into October. Matches in April and May were rare. As they tended to be all-day affairs bad light in the evening was less of a problem and there would have been no 'do I play football or cricket' dilemmas for at least another thirty years.

Two reports appear in the Journals from 1850.

22 June 1850

On Monday last a well contested game was played on our cricket ground, between 11 of Besselsleigh and 11 of the Ensham Club. On its conclusion, the players with their friends returned to the Swan Inn, and sat down to a substantial dinner, which was served up in a very excellent manner by Mrs Sheppard, and the evening was one of much enjoyment. The following is the result of the game.'

Besselsleigh                             Ensham

first innings         52                 first innings        35

second innings    24                second innings    49

Total                   76                   Total                        84

28 September 1850

"Cricket - Stanton Harcourt v Ensham. These Clubs played the winding up game for the season on Monday last, when the former won, with two wickets to go down."

Both of these games were played on a Monday. Only wealthy or  professional people could have played, especially considering the evening entertainment's that were common after matches in those times. The only other players may have been the employees of wealthy players making up the numbers.

On 19 April 1851 the Journal reported "The members of the Eynsham Club intend to have their meeting in a few days at the Swan Inn, in this town, to determine the best means of promoting the game during 1851. Several fresh members intend enrolling their names, in addition to those of last year."

This article was noticed by Mr John Golby of Eynsham who wrote informing me of its existence, and began the search for the Clubs past. Up until that point it was believed that the Club formed in 1919. It is now clear that it is at least 71 years older.

The population census for 1851 is published on 26 April 1851. There were 944 males and 997 females in a population of 1941 in the parish.

The Jacksons Oxford Journal printed many adverts for anything and everything. I noticed the following cricketing advert from 19th July 1845:

Cricket - The lovers of this manly game may be supplied with the best match BATS and WICKETS made by Clapshaw and other celebrated makers at modest charges. Also DUKE's celebrated MATCH BALLS from 6s6d each at THE CIVET CAT, 7 Cornmarket, Oxford.

Jumping 38 years on, the Witney Gazette was first published in 1883. The first reference appears on 9 June 1883:

Eynsham v Cassington - This match was played on Saturday The 2nd inst., at Eynsham, and resulted in a victory for the home team. Score:

I am unsure how this actually resulted in a victory for the home side unless they were playing an overs game which is highly unlikely in those days.

Later in the same month, the 'Guts ache ' of 23 June 1883 reports:

Cricket - a match was played here on Tuesday last between a scratch team from Witney and the Eynsham Club, the former winning by 13 runs. The following is the score:

Also  reported in the Gazette for 1883 was an athletic meeting (W.G. 19.5.1883) which took place on Mrs Druce's field in Eynsham. Many references were made to the Channel Tunnel being debated in parliament. The big fear was hordes of onion-bearing garlic-munching sons of the tricolor pouring through it and invading our fair shores the moment it was completed.

Then on 30 June 1883:

HOW SOME PEOPLE SPEND SUNDAY      - On Sunday the 17th inst. a party started from Eynsham and drove to the neighbourhood of Yarnton, where a pitched battle took place between two of their number. We understand both of the pugilists were considerably punished. Having enjoyed themselves in this way as long as nature permitted, they were driven back to Eynsham, and the services of a medical man were, we are told, procured, in order to alleviate the consequences of the day's debauch.

We may go back much further than them but it would appear that the Star Wanderer's organised tours long before us!