LIKE many cricket clubs in this area, Rowledge Cricket Club have been around a long time. In fact, the first record of the club shows a match against Tilford as long ago as 1886, although the club’s official founding date is 1887.

Until 1914 the club played their home matches at nearby Holt Pound, which is now used for grazing but believed to be one of the oldest cricket grounds in England.

The club now play at the Rowledge Recreation Ground, in the heart of the village.

Club chairman Carl Baker said: “We are nowadays, above all, a community club and we are motivated by offering cricket for all ages and playing our part in the local community.”

For much of their playing history, the club has competed in a number of local leagues, mostly with great success.

In fact, the club honours boards are littered with the club’s achievements.

But some of Rowledge’s most notable successes came in the L’Anson League, which is the oldest continuous cricket league in the world.

From 1980 until 1985, the club continuously won the L’Anson League during the club’s golden age but the cricket book A Century Not Out recorded ‘it also signalled their departure from the competition they’d dominated for so many years as they aspired to move up the cricket ladder’.

The club, at an extraordinary meeting, decided to play in Hampshire, rather than in the county which had largely pre-occupied their history, Surrey.

The book also notes ‘to their credit, Rowledge, a small village, rose to the challenge and climbed through the divisions to reach the top in Hampshire’.

Even today, Rowledge continue to make progress and, captained by Ben Wish, they play in Division One of the Southern Premier League, a level which pleases Carl.

He said: “When you think that a small village on the outskirts of Farnham is now playing against the first teams from big population areas such as Portsmouth, Basingstoke and Bournemouth, that’s a big compliment to the village, the club and to all the players involved over the years.”

In fact, the climax of this progress came in 2009 when the first team won Southern Premier League Division One title on the last day of the season with a dramatic win at Burridge.

Unfortunately, promotion to the very highest league below county level was denied because the Rowledge Recreation ground was too small. But what an achievement.

This now has been resolved by the club in moving the wicket ten metres towards Fullers Road and the ground passed an inspection by the league this year and would be allowed promotion if ever the achievement was gained again, providing the quality markings for the wicket and outfield are obtained.

Riding on the crest of a wave in the 1980s came Rowledge Cricket Club’s most important achievement in their history.

Captained by Alan Prior, they reached the final of the National Village Cup competition in 1985 played at Lords against Freuchie, who were the first and only team from Scotland to win the National Village Cup. They beat Rowledge on a countback after the scores were tied.

Chris Yates Snr remembers the occasion well. “It was a memorable day though, of course, we were disappointed to lose such a close match – but it was also a huge privilege to represent Rowledge in a Lords final and play at the home of cricket.”

Chris is still playing for the club and another player who took part in that Lords final, Tony Field, is now the club groundsman.

The front cover of the ECB’s souvenir match programme billed it as The champions of England versus the Pride of Scotland and the close result of the match ensured plenty of national newspaper interest.

The Cricketer magazine headlined the game report as ‘The best of British with Lords treated to a thriller’. Their inside report mentioned ‘it was the closest final in the history of the competition, it was played and supported in a marvellous and infectious spirit, when neither side deserved to lose, and when the game of cricket was the true winner’.

Although the club are about the provision of community and performance cricket, it’s also very much about the people.

At recent President’s Day events, a number of players have been recognised for their outstanding service to the club.

“They include former club captain David Lloyd, also an experienced cricket coach, and Chris Yates, who has been an outstanding servant to the club for the best part of 50 years.

Both players are very well known figures on the cricket circuit and they were presented with their awards by Micky Stewart OBE, the former Surrey and England cricket player and manager.

Carlo Bruno, who has managed the senior third team for more years than he cares to remember, has perhaps the most difficult job in the club, managing the remainder of the players available after the first and second teams have had their picks.

And his wife Kat makes some of the best home-made cricket teas in the south of England.

Danielle Gregory, a spin bowler, now represents Surrey Women’s first team, Tom Humphreys played a big part in Surrey beating Yorkshire in last year’s national under-17 final and Peter Brinsden won the Farnham Sports Volunteer of the Year award a few years back for his outstanding contribution to the development of youth cricket.

But, as Carl acknowledged: “There are so many more people who deserve to be mentioned but they know who they are and I’d just like to say thank you to them all.”

Former club president Yvonne Cleminson attends all the home matches with a group of friends to support the teams, come rain or shine. Their designated spectating area is known as the Royal Box.

Since the 1990s Rowledge have led the way with the development and growth of a youth section and it now numbers nearly 350 children.

Carl said: ‘The growth of the youth section wouldn’t have been possible without the significant number of volunteers who made it happen, especially the youth group managers who’ve done all the organisation for their age groups over the years. They’re amazing.

“There are some really exciting things happening at the club.

“Not only are we proud of all our senior teams but our incredible youth section has spawned many Surrey and Hampshire district and county players over the years and the number of girls now taking part in cricket at the club is extremely encouraging.

“Furthermore, we’re working in partnership with the Surrey Cricket Foundation to develop disability cricket at Rowledge.

“Sadly, there’s no cricket at the moment but, when there is, we look forward to welcoming everyone back.

“We’re a genuine community club and everyone is welcome at Rowledge.”

* If you would like to play for the club at any level, or wish to play with your son or daughter, contact the club by going on to the website at Rowledgecricketclub.com .

The club can also be contacted by email or call Director of Cricket Steve Martin, whose telephone number can be found on the site.

Rowledge Cricket Club run three senior teams on Saturdays and the Casuals play on many Sundays throughout the season.