The Origins of Rainham Colts
Throughout their long history Rainham had tried to encourage youngsters to take up cricket and as far back as 1888 had formed a colts team known as Rainham Juveniles. It wasn’t until 1972 that a long term Rainham Colts section was formed with the intention of grooming young players for the senior teams. Regular coaching sessions and matches against colts from other established clubs around the county were arranged.
David Wood established the idea of a colts section during the winter of 1972 by gathering together a collection of the best schoolboy players from the Rainham area.
A series of evening twenty over matches were arranged for the first half of the season, followed by full afternoon matches during the school summer holidays. Mark Swaine was chosen as captain. Fast bowlers included Greg Ingleton, Kevin Sherhod and Andy Tomlinson. Medium pace seamers were Steve Maley and Shane Poynter. Spin bowlers were Mark Williams and Pat Patel while batsmen included Jim Phillips, Neil Wanstall, Paul Nicholls, Dilip Patel, John Mitchell and wicket-keeper batsman Phil Cross.
Coaching at the ground took place every Monday evening when the teams were picked and the wicket prepared by manager David Wood.
Rainham won two and lost two of the evening matches arranged with their two victories coming against Frindsbury and Gillingham Grammar School. Mark Swaine scored 41 against the grammar school while Steve Maley took 6-7 against Frindsbury.
During the school holidays the team had a great start with an exciting and narrow victory against the Mote. After scoring a total of 80 due to Steve Maley hitting 21 Mote were dismissed for 77 by the Rainham bowler who took 8-27. After this several matches were cancelled due to rain and defeats were suffered against Tunbridge Wells and Gore Court. The first experimental season had been a success so a decision was made to continue.
The following season the boys improved and the team developed into a powerful force after winter nets coaching by John Dye. Attending the nets on a weekly basis the boys developed their skills and with the invaluable help of the former Kent fast bowler, a group of potential players emerged.
After 20 over evening victories against Frindsbury, Chatham Grammar, Lordswood and The Howard School, the team entered the summer holiday period full of confidence. They were defeated in the opening afternoon game against Sennocke but then recorded two great victories against Whitstable and Holmesdale. Whitstable scored 123 after batting first with Greg Ingleton taking 7-30. Unfortunately, in facing an incredibly quick opening bowler who had appeared for Kent Schoolboys, Rainham were in serious trouble at 0-3. However, a determined knock by Tony Bethell 39 and Tony Phillips 23 led to an amazing recovery so that at 100-7 Rainham had an outside chance of victory. Steve Maley then smashed a rapid 26 not out against the remaining bowlers and Rainham did the unthinkable and got home by two wickets. In the other memorable match against Holmesdale the players had to travel to Sevenoaks by train after the mini bus failed to turn up. Arriving late with the Holmesdale players already changed, the players were ferried to the ground in Holmesdale parents cars. When the match started Holmesdale had a solid start at 50-1 then suffered a collapse due to Shane Poynter 5-34 and Kevin Sherhod 3-32. Holmesdale were eventually dismissed for 98. Rainham lost three quick wickets in reply but a determined stand between Neil Wanstall 53 not out and Phil Cross 24 not out gave Rainham victory by seven wickets.
There were other close games with Tunbridge Wells and Gore Court and victories against St Lawrence & Highland Court and Bredgar. Future England batsman David Gower was included in the St Lawrence line up. In these games the Rainham players contributed some very good performances which included a fine 52 not out by Paul Nicholls against Bredgar and Jim Phillips scoring 46 against Tunbridge Wells and 41 against Lordswood.
With the departure of David Wood to study in London the Colts section was taken over by John Tatton for a short period then in following years by a series of other club members including Ken Newton, Dave Manning, Brian Waite, Steve Hughes, George Phillips and David Sherhod, resulting in the colts section becoming a successful and permanent part of the club.
Dave Wood 2008
