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1744 is a pivotal season in English cricket history. The earliest known codification of the Laws Of Cricket was written by the noblemen and gentlemen of the London Cricket Club which played at the Artillery Ground . Several great matches took place, particularly the challenge by Kent to take on "All-England" at the Artillery Ground on Monday 18 June. Kent won a dramatic contest by a single wicket despite needing several runs to win when their last pair came together. The match is particularly important because a full scorecard was kept for the first time and this match became the first entry in Arthur Haygarth's ''Scores & Biographies''. A scorecard containing individual scores, though no details of dismissals, has survived from the London v Slindon game on Sat 2 June. Unfortunately, these records exist in isolation for it was not until the 1772 season that we find detailed scorecards again. In September, Slindon defeated London and then issued its famous challenge to play "any parish in England". The challenge was accepted by the Addington and Bromley clubs, which both had fine teams, but unfortunately the two challenge matches were hit by bad weather and we do not know if they were completed. LAWS OF CRICKET The first known issue of the Laws Of Cricket can be traced to 1744, possibly an upgrade of an earlier code. The Laws were drawn up by the noblemen and gentlemen members of the London Cricket Club , which was based at the Artillery Ground . The intention must have been to establish a universal codification. A general set of rules was in place subject to local variations but, apart from cases where Articles of Agreement were drawn up, as in Richmond v Brodrick in 1727 , the laws as such were agreed orally. By and large, the same rules had existed since time immemorial. The Laws of 1744 make fascinating reading. A summary of the main points:
Interestingly, the Laws do not say the bowler must roll the ball and there is no mention of prescribed arm action so, in theory, a pitched delivery would have been legal, though undoubtedly controversial. THE FIRST KNOWN SCORECARD When London played Slindon on Sat 2 June, details of individual scores were recorded and this first known scorecard was kept by the Duke Of Richmond at Goodwood House. Unfortunately, it gives scores only and no means of dismissal. It does not even tell us much about the players except their surnames though, thankfully, the scorer did think to differentiate between the two sets of brothers who were playing. But we should not carp about what is missing; we should be grateful to have anything at all. The ''Daily Advertiser'' carried various notices from Thursday 31 May until Sunday 3 June which announced that two untitled sides would play in the Artillery Ground on Saturday 2 June. On 31 May, the paper said that the teams would consist of "four gentlemen from Slindon, one from Eastbourne, two from Hamilton (''sic'') in Sussex, one from Addington and three from Lingfield in Surrey" against "four gentlemen of London, one from Richmond, one from Reigate, three from Addington in Surrey, one from Bray Wick in Berkshire and one from Arundel in Sussex". This was followed by the usual reminder about no dogs and the need to obtain a pass ticket if leaving the ground during play. There is no such place as Hamilton in Sussex and it is possible that the reporter was referring to Hambledon, which is close to the Sussex border. If so, this may be the earliest reference to Hambledon in terms of major matches. The ''Daily Advertiser'' changed its notice on Friday 1 June through 2 and 3 June by confusingly announcing the names of the players on each side. However, the names in the paper are not the same as those on the scorecard kept by the Duke of Richmond. The same (i.e., incorrect) names were also reported on 3 June, the day after the match. The paper announced that the two teams would consist of: Cuddy (i.e., E Aburrow senior), Newland, Newland, Newland, Ridgeway, Green of Sussex; Sawyer, Stevens, Stevens, Collins of Surrey; and Norris of London versus Dingate, Harris, Harris, Faulkner, Jackson, Maynard of Surrey; Bryant, Smith, Bennett, Howlett of London; and Waymark of Berks. No titles were given to the teams and the ACS Guide refers to Two Elevens. The inclusion in the former team of two players named Stevens from Surrey would suggest that the famous Edward "Lumpy" Stevens had forebears in the sport. Lumpy's career probably began in the 1750s. According to the Duke of Richmond’s papers, which are now in the possession of the West Sussex Records Office, including the recorded scores of this match, the teams were somewhat different to those advertised. Team names are provisionally given as London versus Slindon, as the two main clubs represented: There were two players called Bryant (James and John) and two called Bennett who were always referred to as Little Bennett and Tall Bennett. We do not know which player in each of these pairs took part. Note also that there were two Harrises who both played; and of course the three Newland brothers, of whom John did not play. Edward Aburrow senior, alias Cuddy the notorious smuggler, was the father of the later Hambledon player of the same name. Thomas Waymark was formerly employed by Slindon's benefactor the Duke of Richmond but he is here given as a Berkshire resident and playing for the London XI. The match included one of cricket's earliest known declarations by Slindon in their second innings at 102–6, although the term "declaration" was not in use at that time and neither was the concept generally recognised. Rather it was a case of Slindon "forfeiting" part of their innings in order to allow time to bowl out their opponents. This was also the first game we know of at which tickets for readmission were issued to the spectators. MATCHES OTHER EVENTS ''Mon 11 June''. The ''Penny London Morning Advertiser'' announced a match on Walworth Common in Surrey between "11 gentlemen of the Borough of Southwark and 11 gentlemen of High Kent and Blackman; the wickets to be pitched at one o'clock". The announcement continued: "The gentlemen who play this match have subscribed for a Holland smock of one guinea value, which will be run for by two jolly wenches, one known by the name of The Little Bit of Blue (the handsome Broom Girl) at the fag end of Kent Street, and the other Black Bess of the Mint. They are to run in drawers only and there is excellent sport expected". So much for the fun. Next comes the serious stuff: "Captain Vinegar with a great many of his bruisers and bulldogs will attend to make a ring, that no civil spectators may be incommoded by the rabble". If you are looking for a report that both illustrates and summarises the popular culture of Georgian times, this one is as good as any: you have sport, gentlemen, the rabble, jolly wenches and bruisers. Add some smugglers like Edward Aburrow senior, a few aristocrats like Richmond, a drop of alcohol (all right, a lot of alcohol), a regiment of redcoats, a gallows or two and, after making a suitable wager on the result, stir gently.....
The ''Penny London Morning Advertiser'' on Wed 27 June advertised a match to be played next day on Woolwich Common between Woolwich and "the Club in Long Lane, Southwark". (FL18)
The ''Daily Advertiser'' reported on Sat 30 June re the famous match on Mon 18 June: "It was observed by the noblemen and gentlemen there present that there was great disorder so that it was with difficulty the match was played out. It is ordered for the future that each person pay for going into the Ground sixpence, and there will be for the better conveniency (sic) of all gentlemen that favour me with their company, a ring of benches that will hold at least 800 persons. And it is further desired that no person whtever, except those appointed to keep orderand the players engaged for the day, be admitted to walk within the ring." (FL18)
''Mon 20 August''. There was a single wicket match "for a large sum" between a Sevenoaks player (perhaps Val Romney) and a London player. No other details are known. (ASW)
''Mon 17 September''. A big game between two threes at the Artillery Ground. Billed as Long Robin's Side v Richard Newland's Side, the teams were Robert Colchin (Bromley), Val Romney (Sevenoaks) and John Bryant (Addington) against Richard Newland (Slindon), Edward Aburrow senior (Slindon) and Joseph Harris (Addington). Aburrow replaced John Mills of Horsmonden, the "famous Kent bowler" who was originally chosen. The stake was two hundred guineas and the players involved were stated to be the "best in England". Once again, despite this being a major fixture, the outcome is unknown. (ASW)
''Mon 1 October''. Another "threes" game was played at the Artillery Ground for a considerable sum and again the outcome is unknown. The sides were Robert Colchin, James Bryant and Joseph Harris versus John Bryant, Val Romney and Thomas Waymark. LEADING BATSMEN The best batting performances by those players who took part in both the scorecarded games are given below. LEADING BOWLERS William Hodsoll of Dartford and Kent was one of the earliest fast bowlers that we know of. He took eight wickets in the match (i.e., bowled wickets only) for Kent against All-England. The other noted Kent bowler taking part was John Mills of Horsmonden. We do not know his exact tally as his brother may have taken some wickets. The same is true of the Harrises and Newlands who bowled for All-England. All we know is that seven wickets each were taken by players called Mills, Harris and Newland. LEADING FIELDERS & KEEPERS Kipps of Kent was the leading wicketkeeper at the time and is the earliest specialist keeper that we know of. Thomas Waymark took two catches for All-England v Kent and he was praised many years earlier for his agility and dexterity so he seems to have been an outstanding fielder. But the most memorable catch in the All-England v Kent match was a diving effort taken by Lord John Philip Sackville to dismiss Richard Newland . FOCUS Val Romney (Sevenoaks and Kent) Valentine (Val) Romney was born c. 1718 and died in 1773 . He was lauded by James Love as a "mighty play'r" and was captain of the Kent XI that played All-England in the great match of 1744. He featured several times in the same season as a "given man". He lived mostly at Sevenoaks and was employed by the 1st Duke of Dorset as gardener at Knole, a post later occupied by John Minshull . He was last recorded as playing for Kent in 1751 . (EKC) ARTICLE & MATCH SOURCES The above information is essentially driven out of various historical notes that have been accumulated over many years and so sources used originally may have been overlooked for the moment. But the sources certainly include:
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