Memories 2 - 7 July 1956: Ealing v Brentham

 

 

Our captain, Paul Swann, on a lovely sunny day won the toss and elected to bat. We lost an early wicket when Ebb Snearson was bowled by Alan Coxon, who was a fairly quick left-arm over and moved the ball to the slips. Horace Brearley and David Vincent endeavoured to build a partnership but Brearley was bowled by Coxon and Vincent soon followed off the same bowler. Brian Waters was joined by Paul Swann and they took the score to 65. Swann continued the struggle with Frank Ahl -ex-Worcester- before Coxon struck again in claiming Swann for a resolute 38 with the score at 99.

 

At this point Roy James, who had arrived belatedly with captain’s permision from a wedding reception, came to the wicket and proceeded to hit 61 runs in 52 minutes. This included a memorable 6 off Eddie Ingram, who regularly represented the Gentlemen of Ireland, into Woodville Road. Our innings, which had been hard work early on, closed at a respectable 190. Alan Coxon had figures of 4 for 45 in 16 overs and Eddie Ingram 1 for 43 in 17 overs.

 

When Ealing batted they lost their first 3 wickets in reaching 47. Then Mervyn Mansell joined Ken Hinge and they put on 55 to take the score onto 102. Wickets then tumbled to leave Ealing on 114 for 7 wickets, which became 132 for 8. The excitement on the field rose as the prospect of victory came closer. We had reckoned without Eddie Ingram. He proceeded to monopolise the situation to score 59 not out and take Ealing to a memorable victory by 2 wickets at 191 for 8. We never took another wicket.

 

Brian Mead bowled steadily at the beginning but the bulk of the bowling fell to Norman Allsop, who completed 20 overs, conceding 83 runs for 3 wickets and Frank Ahl, who penetrated the middle order with 3 for 43 in 13 overs.

 

The outcome might well have been different if the whole team had attended the wedding or rather the reception before the match.

 

 

Brentham  190      R James   61            A Coxon   4-45                                                                            

Ealing  191-8          E Ingram   59n.o    N Allsop   3-83      F Ahl    3-43

 

 

Roy James

Life Vice-President
Captain 1967-1969