Rainham v Wouldham, June 9th 1923
Since being formed in 1856 Rainham had moved location several times but never really settled in one permanent location until 1923 when Major H. E. Day of Berengrove House gave permission for the club to use Berengrove Park as their home ground. The club has remained here ever since. Although the setting was similar to today there were a few differences. Firstly, there were more trees surrounding the ground without any houses behind. Therefore, the location was quieter and more secluded. Trees and parkland stretched as far as the present day railway station. Secondly, the wickets were placed across the table so that bowlers bowled from the railway line side to the Holmoaks side. Thirdly, a tall tree was located on the edge of the table in line with the present changing rooms. Fourthly, there wasn’t a clubhouse or pavilion until 1924 when it was constructed a little to the left of the present changing rooms and was about the same size. Fifthly, there wasn’t a fence separating the railway line from the ground. A bank without the present day poplar trees below led up to the line from the playing area.
Low scores in 1923 indicated that the wicket was more favourable for the bowlers and it would have taken several seasons before good wickets were produced. During the early 1920s the club did not have the machinery of later seasons but by the late 1920s they possessed a roller with a wooden frame and small cutters for the wicket. Livestock was used to keep the outfield short so the wicket had to be enclosed with hurdle gate fencing when matches were not in progress and had to be taken down immediately before matches and re-erected afterwards by the players.
The team was captained by Maurice Kitney, an all rounder who could score runs and bowled medium pace round arm. Len Goodwin kept wicket while a pace opening attack of Alf Garnham and Bill Van Tromp had many sides in trouble during the early 1920s. The batting was shared around but Alf Garnham, Alf Warner and Maurice Kitney scored most of the runs. Major Day remained the owner of Berengrove Park and club president until his departure in 1934.
The first recorded game at Berengrove Park in 1923 took place on June 9th when Rainham entertained Wouldham. Batting first Wouldham had a disastrous start losing seven wickets for only five runs due to the bowling of Bill Van Tromp and Frank Clark. Glover 21 not out staged a recovery but nobody could support him for long leaving Wouldham with a total of 38. Bill Van Tromp took 6-15 and Frank Clark 4-20.
In reply Rainham were soon in trouble at 10-4. Clive Uden 17 not out staged a recovery but with the last five wickets falling for only three runs Rainham were bowled out for a paltry 35 to lose by three runs in an exciting but low scoring game.
Match Scorecard
Wouldham
F. Clark |
Bowled Clark |
3 |
R. McNott |
Bowled Van Tromp |
0 |
C. Knott |
Bowled Van Tromp |
0 |
G. Best |
Ct Tadman b Clark |
0 |
J. Caller |
Bowled Clark |
0 |
W. Webb |
Ct Goodwin b Clark |
1 |
D. Kitney |
Ct and bowled Van Tromp |
1 |
W. Glover |
Not out |
21 |
C. Dumbrill |
Ct and bowled Van Tromp |
5 |
A. Kitney |
Bowled Van Tromp |
0 |
J. Stevens |
Bowled Van Tromp |
4 |
|
|
Extras |
|
|
3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
38 |
Rainham
L. Goodwin |
Bowled Caller |
0 |
S. Kitney |
Ct Best bowled Kitney |
6 |
W Van Tromp |
Ct Best bowled Kitney |
1 |
M. Kitney |
Bowled Caller |
1 |
C. Uden |
Not out |
17 |
A. Garnham |
Ct Webb bowled Kitney |
4 |
A. Warner |
Bowled Kitney |
0 |
S. Frost |
Bowled Kitey |
0 |
F. Clark |
Bowled Kitney |
0 |
W. Tadman |
Ct Caller bowled Clark |
2 |
H. Wickens |
Bowled Clark |
1 |
|
|
Extras |
|
|
3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
35 |
