Southgate Compton Cricket Club

Beginning of season and working party

The season is now fast approaching and with that, we need to get some things done at the club to get us ready for our first game on the 17th! We are having a working party this Saturday 3rd of April at 10 am, with last year’s working party being limited due to the virus and having some individuals damaging the net there is a short list of things we need to do: Repair the sightscreen with new wood and supports, trim down the net poles to make the net useable again, cleaning/clearing out the scorebox, general housekeeping of the clubhouse and ground. With this in mind, we feel it would be a good idea if as many as possible regular 1st XI and Sunday players can attend so we can get these done in time for the season obviously in bubbles of 6 to follow the current guidelines.

Additionally, with the first friendlies only weeks away, I would again ask you to update your availability on the google spreadsheet and preferably update several weeks in advance so we can get an idea of the people available for the early friendlies as well as the league games! If you can’t access the google spreadsheet there is a guide on the website under senior and availability (http://www.southgatecompton.com/availability.html) or please contact Ben about getting you access.

I am not sure if you are all aware but Alex Molloy has now taken over Sunday captain so thank you to him for taking this role on and looking forward to playing under him! This means for Sunday's friendlies he will be the person to contact with your availability/selection as the year goes on but to begin with I will be helping to ease the transition.

Peter Scott

I am sorry to report the death of Peter who was a founder member of Southgate Compton and played for us from 1970 until the mid 1980’s. He was an opening bat and wicket keeper and his best season was in 1972 when he scored 929 runs and had 51 dismissals. He was Sunday 1st XI Captain in 1974. The previous year he played in a charity game at our ground which was played in the costume and laws of the year 1984. The sides were led by 2 former County Captains and amongst the celebrities was Martin Peters who was so taken with the ground that he wanted to bring a side to play us the following year. When asked what sort of side he would bring he said the Spurs and so it was that practically the full 1st XI played and a closely fought draw ensued, Spurs 218 all out SCCC 216 for 9. We were not commercially minded then and as far as I can remember we did not advertise the match or charge for admission, it was just a game of cricket enjoyed by all

Peter kept wicket that day and he said that Martin Peters held his new born son in his arms. Those were of course different times and footballers could turn out to pay cricket which is not the case now. Peter was a popular member of the Club and went on one of our early tours to Devon. His wife Mary was one of the ladies.

Tommy wheeler

I am sorry to report that Tommy Wheeler died 2nd June whilst he was on holiday in Devon. Tommy spent most of his cricketing career at our neighbours Cockfosters and for some 20 years was in their first team being their principal slow bowler and very useful lower order batsman. He played for us for only one season although he went on a number of our tours both as a player and spectator. Indeed since our tour stopped in 2019 he and his brother Brian still went on the tour week staying at The Kings Arms in Otterton.

Tommy was a social member of our club and most Saturdays throughout the year he would be in the Clubhouse having a pint. For a number of years he was 1st XI goalkeeper for Southgate County. He was a great character and will be sadly missed.

More details about the funeral etc will be posted when they are made available.