1st X1 Cricket 1958 reunion at school, 50 Not Out!

On June 4 the members of the 1958 School 1st X1 met up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a season in which the side remained unbeaten both during the School term and on tour. This was the first such achievement of a School 1st XI.

The record shows that, of 17 games played, 12 were won and 5 were drawn.

The season was dominated by the performances of Skipper Dick Tarrant who scored 727 runs at an average of 81 and took 21 wickets at 17 a piece.

He was ably supported by Tim Woodcock(327 runs at 25) and Mike Radford(40 wickets at 14).

The overall strength of the side was its capacity to bat to No 9 and to field 7 regular bowlers.

Lunch was convened at the Freemasons Arms and both Vic Dodds, OEA President, and Sarah Fisher, Emanuel School Development Director, were honoured guests.

Dick Tarrant complimented the various talents in attendance and tributes were also paid to Rod Chignell (Cricket Master) and Graham Courtney(Scorer) who are sadly no longer with us.

Tea with the Headmaster followed. As a special tribute to the side, “spam” sandwiches were the order of the day. Sarah also laid on a tour of the archive and a visit to the Sports Hall, where some future stars were enjoying(?) net practice.

The day concluded with a second visit to the “Frees” and a (drunken) promise from non-members in the party to join the OEA..

The Team:

Dick Tarrant left School in the same year and played his club cricket both at Spencer CC and , in latter years, for the OEs. There were few more elegant players. He is now retired from a career in Insurance.

Mike Radford, a penetrating left-arm spinner, joined Spencer with Dick and has enjoyed a successful career in the Timber industry.

Tim Woodcock also had a short spell with Spencer but subsequently joined Cornhill Insurance, for whom he played most of his club cricket. Later he played for Lloyds Bank and most recently for the Surrey over 60s for whom he became treasurer.

Mike Harland, a fine, powerful all-rounder, also joined Spencer . He became an accountant and moved to Cornwall 25 years ago. He played club cricket there and became Treasurer of the Cornish Cricket Board.

Alan Cook (opening batsman)went into Banking and played his Cricket for Westminster Bank.

Jim Maile was another Cornhill recruit. An excellent all-round cricketer he also became Victor Ludorum at school as an outstanding sprinter/quarter-miler. He later moved to Devon and went into Local Government.

Tony Rigby (opening batsman), yet another Cornhill man, has run his own Insurance Brokerage for some years and plans to retire this year.

Keith Dickson, a talented and forceful batsman, emigrated to France after a short career in Fleet Street. He worked for Agence France Presse for many years. Now retired he lives near Chambery.

John Chapman played once in the 1958 Season although went on to considerable success in later School elevens and with the OE’s. He read Metallurgy at Sheffield University and worked for British Steel (Corus) in the same city, where he now lives. He retired in 1962.

Peter Lewis was an excellent wicket keeper for School and the OE’s. Following graduation from Imperial College, he went into the Mining industry here and subsequently in Australia, where he now lives.

Bert Pilcher(now Alex van Rose), an effective quick bowler, graduated from Edinburgh University and was a post-graduate at St Andrews. He spent 37 years with IBM, specialising in legal issues. Now retired from the Law he works as a musician.

David McMillan was a successful bowler with School and OE’s. Following a long career in Advertising and PR he is now Chairman of a Property Management company.

David McMillan