Dorset Schools Cricket Association – a brief history
It was roughly after 10 years after the English Cricket Association was formed that Dorset Schools Cricket Association came into being following a meeting at the County Hall, Dorchester on 11th March 1958. This meeting was attended by Mr. N.J. Cleave, Headmaster of Poole Grammar School who became the first Chairman, Mr. J. Pauley (Blandford Grammar School) was elected Secretary, Mr. T. Stones (Lyme Grammar School) became Treasurer and others present were Mr. R.S. Gardiner (Poole Grammar School) and, significantly, back then, Mr. J. Hayfield (County Organiser of Physical Education). The meeting resolved to affiliate to ESCA. Dorset CCC donated £50 and four schools affiliated at 5/- (25p). £49.94 was transferred from a cricket account held by Mr. Cleave and Mr. Hayfield. So, DSCA was awash with money - £100! Poole Grammar School, of course, remains as one of DSCA’s biggest supporters, but the educational landscape has constantly been altered over the past 70 years.
Equally, too, DSCA has had to change with the times. Originally, DSCA picked a Senior team to play the DCCC run U19 Colts (under the aegis of the NCCA). This provided a greater selection of boys to be seen and many were drafted into the Colts’ set up with huge success. Dorset SCA Senior XI’s first county match was against Hampshire on 28th July 1959 and it ended in a draw at Bournemouth and Hampshire’s Dean Park. In reply to Dorset’s 204/5 dec, Hampshire finished on 175/2, after they had been 3/2!
In 1959-60, four districts were established to allow for the selection of an U15 team and that proved very successful until the mid 70s, when teacher strike action set in. Nominations hit an all-time low and support from the independent sector only came from Canford. Then winter coaching courses were introduced, including a one day special for teachers. The district concept was revived after 10 years, and, the contributions of the independent sector now are terrific. DSCA drew up a Constitution which allowed them to affiliate to ESCA. Then winter coaching courses were introduced, including a one day special for teachers. The 60s saw a real attempt to consolidate, beginning with a win over Berkshire Grammar Schools. However, problems with staffing, pitch standards and schools failing to pay affiliation fees made life difficult. Plus ca change! Finances became dire in 1964 but DSCA hung on with a wing and a prayer – the committee did not collect expenses. Again, that pattern has not really changed.
1965 witnessed the first DSCA player to represent the ESCA U15 National Team – Michael Beale of Thomas Hardye’s This might have made locals realise what was possible because by 1967 things were definitely improving, with wins over Yorkshire (all out for 65), and Somerset. Barry Lewis emerged and played for both U15 and U19 in the same season with a resolution passed that allowed excellent underage players to play above their year group. He played for ESCA South in 1968. There was no West team until 1969, when 3 Dorset boys were selected, with Paul Nugent of Weymouth Grammar School captaining the side and playing in the ESCA Festival at Lincoln. 1970 saw 2 more boys make that grade, but there were many complaints about the state of the pitches in Norwich.
Reorganisation of the school system, with Middle Schools arriving on the scene, led to DSCA starting an U13 County Cup competition in 1972, won by Thomas Hardye’s who beat Colfox. The popularity of this led to participating in the ESCA U14 competition, sponsored nationally by Esso, and indicating the important influence of ESCA on the national scene. County rounds were played at U14 and the following year, the county winners played in regional and national rounds. Thomas Hardye was the first Dorset winner to progress to the regional round. The competition still exists today, sponsored by ‘inspiresport’, recently purchased by the Portman Group.
An Extraordinary DSCA meeting was called in February 1974 because there had been significant boundary changes, bringing Bournemouth and Christchurch, with their many schools, from Hampshire into Dorset. Bournemouth School for Boys’ arrival was significant because in 1976 they reached the national final at The Oval of what had then become the Lord’s Taverners U15 Trophy. Sadly, they came second, but it was a massive achievement.
DSCA played their first ‘international’ when Trinidad and Tobago played an U19 match and won by 7 wickets. They were to return in the early ‘90s. Moreover, Richard Scott became the first Dorset Schools player to go through the system, from scoring 118 v Shropshire as an U15 to become a professional cricketer with Gloucestershire and then Hampshire.
More changes were afoot, with the TCCB and then the newly created ECB restructuring the game at youth/schools level over the next 20 years. Owen Parkin played in the DSCA U15s in 1979 and went on to carve out an impressive professional career with Glamorgan. The 1980s had suffered from more union action in schools and the DCA upped its game to produce a good availability of youth cricket as well as giving 2 seats on the committee to DSCA.
Andy Kent, the indefatigable Secretary kept going and was joined by Tim Hill from a state school in Suffolk in 1990. He had been manager of the Suffolk CA U16s, Suffolk Senior Schools, South U19s and an ESCA U19 selector. He took up the mantle of West U19 Manager and continued as an England selector. Messers Denning and Hughes added to a new impetus and DSCA hosted the world famous U15 Bunbury ESCA Regional Festival in 1995. Andy Kent became a National U15 selector and looked after Canada in the U15 World Challenge, held in England in 2000 and sponsored by Costcutter (owned by Colin Graves). However, by then reform was creeping in and ESCA U19s were banished by the TCCB in 1996. Tim Hill became DSCA Treasurer in 1993 and remains in post to this day! The ECB was formed in 1998 and the removal of school teacher influence from county and national teams began in earnest.
ESCA kept going and was entrusted by the ECB to deliver school competitions from U11 to U15. Eventually the agreement was enshrouded in a Memorandum of Understanding. However, the ECB removed the U14 Regional Festival, run by ESCA, because of the poor cost/benefit ratio in terms of discovering potential first class cricketers. Four years ago it took over the running of the Bunbury Festival, because its significance showed that at U15 level, highly talented players were identifiable. Lewis McManus (Clayesmore) is one of David English’s ‘Bunburys’, played for ESCA U15s, England U19s and established himself as a pro with Hampshire. DSCA handed back one seat on the Committee but, when the DCB was formed some 20 years ago, retained one until the latest reform removed it in 2019. There was an excellent working relationship with the DCB, thanks to the willingness of the CDO for 20 years, Keith Brewer gave his wholehearted support, including that vital financial element, as DSCA continued to expand opportunities. Competitions at U11, U12, U13, U14 and U15 thrive and state schools enjoy the chance to extend their experiences in plate competitions. 8 years ago DSCA ran what was the first inter-schools U15 Girls’ hardball Festival in England and Charlotte Edwards graciously allowed us to name the trophy after her. ESCA took the plunge in 2017 to start an U13 T/20 Girls’ competition. DSCA launched it in 2019. Since then, though, we have struggled on through the dire experience of Covid-19. Nothing was played in 2020. At least 2021 witnessed limited numbers of State and Independent schools in competitions and finals were reached at U11, U12, U13, U14 and the main U15 and U15 Vase.
We are entering a new uncertain era, but the hope is that the relationship with DCB. will continue to flourish. However, DSCA needs invigorating with school staff offering their services because the old guard cannot go on forever!
Tim Hill,
Chairman/Treasurer DSCA January 2022
