Micheldever and Thruxton remembered (From Andover Advertiser)

More nostalgia as Thruxton CC and Micheldever BL CC are remembered

1:49pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Other Sport By Sports editor Kerry Miller

The Looking Back series continues to jog memories of long ago and reader Francis Hitchings of Winchester Road, Micheldever looks back more than 65 years to his sporting beginnings.

“Dear Sir, Reading your extracts from the archives stirs memories.

Aged 15, I played on the wing in the 1946-47 season for Micheldever Village FC and during the summer made up the numbers for Micheldever BL CC.

Both clubs had revived with returning servicemen and as the Winchester Football League had not yet restarted, entered the Andover and District and the now defunct Sutton Scotney and District Football Leagues, winning the latter.

I remember tough matches at Kings Somborne and Stockbridge, who we met six times in the leagues and cups, winning five.

I recall being marked by Stumpy Bailey at Somborne and Sam Savage at Stockbridge.

Early cricket memories include Wherwell at Fullerton where we crossed the railway track to reach the ground and the thatched pavilion, fielding in the long grass outfield at Grateley before the hay was cut and my favourite, St Mary Bourne where, together with Wherwell and Longparish in later years we had some enjoyable games.

Later when bowling briskly for Micheldever Warren at Longparish an elderly gentleman with matching bat and pads came to the wicket.

With respect I slowed down resulting in their umpire questioning my motive then telling me I was insulting the old fellow who turned out to be the legendary Cob Snow, then in his 70s.

Some player, he then bagged five wickets with his leg breaks.”

Mr Hitchings later told the Advertiser that the Micheldever BL CC ground was in the field behind the Half Moon pub and had an old wooden World War I hut while the football club during that period played in a field which is now cultivated and stands near to the more recent ground at the Rank, behind two very old fir trees.

Players would change in the Northbrook Hall and walk to what locals called ‘the Big Meadow’.

Meanwhile a number of readers contacted the Advertiser about Les Maund including Doug Morris, saying that he was born on June 6 1915 and died on Jan 11 2007. Doug recalled that as well as hockey Les was no mean cricketer.

Sports editor Kerry Miller would like to hear from anyone who can pinpoint where the cricket grounds were in Thruxton and Kimpton around the time of the Second World War, plus any memories of sports grounds in Ludgershall including one in or near the grounds of the Castle.

The pictures show the original Thruxton CC, winners of the Border League in 1935, standing next to what appears to be a rustic old wooden pavilion.

The later 1950 picture of the club winning the same league is a close up so nailing down the spot for that is more tricky unless any of the players are still with us. The team picture from last season brings it up to date with the current club, who play at Charlton, which was originally formed out of a pub side and still has founder members active.