Cricketers will drape themselves in Victorian clothes for a match to celebrate their club’s 150th anniversary.
Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club will replay the opening game of the club’s first match, to mark the occasion in Bushy Park, off Bushy Park Road, from 2pm on Sunday, June 9.
Club chairman Keith Nicholls and 1st XI captain Graeme Tong will lead two teams, gentlemen and players, out to the green in Victorian dress to play cricket to Victorian rules, as set in 1835.
Mr Nicholls said: “The people of Hampton Wick created this cricket club in 1863 and bar the first world war years the club has continued to be a vital part of the sporting life of the village ever since.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed for good weather – 150 years ago 217 runs were scored and the chairman’s side lost – I’m looking to put that right this time around, although some of my team members are almost old enough to have played the original fixture.”
Families are welcome to join the celebrations, which will include a fair, bouncy castle, face painting, coconut shy, egg throwing competition and a fancy dress competition with a Victorian theme.
The Surrey Comet reported on the first match played on June 9, in 1963, and said it was a closely-contested game followed by a friendly supper to inaugurate the club.
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