Cricket Club
The following comes from the 'Ruridecanal Magazine', from May 1911, and is the first reference to a cricket club that we have found.
CRICKET - The cricket eleven has so far played three matches, against Stoke, Cornish Hall End, and Steeple Bumpstead. The first and last ended in defeat, while the second victory crowned the efforts of Birdbrook. We do not, however, feel that this beginning is a fair presentation of the skill of our cricket club, and look confidently to much better success in matches to come.
From November 1911 Magazine:-
PLAY UP BIRDBROOK - We give a list of cricket matches played this season, with the scores made by each side. It will be seen that the club won five matches and lost seven matches. The club is to be congratulated on the energy of their secretary, Mr. A. Haggart.
| May 6th | Birdbrook | 39 | Stoke | 43 |
| May 13th | Birdbrook | 92 | Cornish Hall End | 31 |
| May 20th | Birdbrook | 48 | Steeple Bumpstead | 107 |
| May 27th | Birdbrook | 44 | Stoke | 79 |
| June 3rd | Birdbrook | 55 | Cornish Hall End | 38 |
| June 10th | Birdbrook | 85 | Ridgewell | 80 |
| June 24th | Birdbrook | 33 | Steeple Bumpstead | 50 |
| July 1st | Birdbrook | 53 | Ridgewell | 38 |
| July 8th | Birdbrook | 46 | Haverhill Old 1 | 53 |
| July 12th | Birdbrook | 75 | Haverhill Wed. | 45 |
| July 22nd | Birdbrook | 59 | Haverhill Old 1 | 112 |
| September 2nd # | Birdbrook | 100 | Cornish Hall End | 131 |
# Whole Day Match
I presume there were not any matches in August due to most of the players working on the land and being involved with bringing in the harvest.
Birdbrook Cricket Team dated 1930ish
Back Row: Conrad Chapman, Bill Wiseman jnr, Joe Hayes, William Ralling
Middle Row: Dick Clark, Fred Backler, Stan Chapman, Henry Coote, Ron Kendall
Front Row: ? Johnson, Bill Wiseman snr, Eddie Hinton
Thanks to S. Mason we now only need the first name for Johnson. If anyone can help or have any other pictures or information please contact editor@birdbrook.net.