Player Profiles
Please note, this section will be expanded as more profiles are completed.
Trevor Adcock (Career Dates: 1949-1989)
Perhaps the most outstanding cricketer to have played for Henfield in living memory and acknowledged by most of his peers as the best club cricketer never to have played county cricket.
Trevor played for Steyning on Saturdays and Henfield on Sundays, this when Sunday cricket was the strongest of the two days. He was a hard-hitting left-handed number 3 batsman who could and did destroy most attacks. He was also a right hand opening fast bowler who bowled with a high smooth upright action that resulted in the ball coming of the pitch very quickly; he was also a more than useful leg-break bowler.
Trevor scored more than a hundred hundreds in club cricket scoring 13 of them for Henfield; he also took 5 wickets in an innings 49 times for the club, including taking all 10 against Dorking in 1956.
He was well known for always wearing his red Steyning Grammar School 1st XI cap; when this red cap emerged from the pavilion it never ceased to cause a lot of concern in the fielding side.
Trevor played from 1949 - 1967 (with one more appearance in 1989) he scored 8,119 runs, he took 701 wickets and took 92 catches. CT
Nicholas Blake (1981-2006)
Profile will appear here
Henry Charlwood (1865-1873)
The only Henfield cricketer to have played Test cricket for England, a more detailed biography can be found here
Richard Fillery (1858-1880)
Henfield born and bred, Richard Fillery was one of the outstanding players of the strong Henfield team in the middle part of the 19th century. A right-arm (roundarm) medium pacer, and a useful middle order batsman, he was a mainstay of a poor Sussex team of the period. Over 140 years later, he still holds, with Henry Charlwood, the record partnership for the 3rd wicket for Henfield. He also held the leading run scorer and leading wicket-taker records for the club for almost half a century after his death. CC/Cricinfo
Chris Garcia (2003-2006)
Although his statistical record does not bear comparison to most of those players on these lists, Chris Garcia is important in the club's history as the first overseas player ever engaged by Henfield. He was a left-arm swing and seam bowler from Melbourne, who bowled at a brisk pace, and could bring the ball back in to the right hander late on. In his first season with the club in 2003, he took 93 1st XI wickets, and was instrumental in the club winning the Invitation League 3rd Division that year. He returned to the club for the following two seasons, with more success. Having arrived as very much a tail ender, he worked hard on his batting, finishing his Henfield career by opening the innings in the league side. His all round contribution to the club in the three years he spent here was outstanding, he scored 1,325 runs (1,287+38) and took 232 wickets (228+4). CC
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Gerald Golds (1954-1986)
Gerald's (Ged's) introduction to Henfield cricket was in his teens as a wicket keeper. Phil White broke his front teeth, so, not surprisingly, he thought he would try something else - like bowling.
In the army for his National Service (if you don't know what that was, ask grandad) he played for the camp team, which fostered his interest in the sport.
On returning to the Club, he soon became a first eleven regular, forming a great opening attack with David Pound. Built like a rugby prop, Ged could, and did, bowl for hours. He had good pace off a bustling run-up, which often took batsmen unfamiliar with his bowling by surprise. He bowled right arm over, and, on the Common, exclusively from the Pavilion end. The ball held with the seam just off upright, he got late away movement in the air from a smooth, conventional body action. Consequently keeper and slips were in a constant state of anticipation. For variation there would be an occasional slower delivery, or, with the seam held upright, a ball that held its own on the slope but did not deviate in the air - bowled just outside off-stump, left-handers would naturally find the ball going down the hill.
However there was no variation in intention, which was to "keep it tight" and Ged's accuracy could fulfil this policy. All without a trace of show or flamboyance. The extravagance one sees in this era would be completely alien to Ged's character - a pained expression from a near miss or lucky edge was all you would get.
Of course Ged had few opportunities as a batsman, but he had a good eye and could give the ball a fearsome belt. Much to his team mates' delight he could execute a totally unique shot - which was termed the "anvil" - played off the back foot, with the bat coming down at an angle and powered by strong forearms, it went past an apprehensive mid-on like a rocket.
Memorable though this is, it is insignificant compared with his skill with the ball, and to that, his match winning 7 for 23 against Maresfield, with 4 wickets in one over, will always be a testament. The following week saw another 7 at Sunallon. In that year (1976) he took 93 wickets.
Nobody watching cricket on the Common during Ged's heyday will ever forget the fair-haired, ruddy-faced cricketer, the quintessential English seamer, coming in off that characteristic run, shirt saturated with sweat and clinging to his back. They knew then that all was well with Henfield cricket. Gerald played from 1954 to 1986. He took 698 wickets (574+124), scored 1,430 runs (992+438) and took 86 catches (65+21). CT
Percy Groves (1927-1977)
Percy Groves played for the Club over a fifty year period and has a truly remarkable record. If it had not been for the period of World War Two when there were very few games, surely his total of wickets would have been unapproachable.
His performances can be seen by referring to the Club records, but it must be remarked that for seven successive seasons (1946-1952) he took over 100 wickets, the 170 taken in 1949 being the most ever taken in a season. In addition there were seven other years when he took 50 or more. In terms of Henfield or, most probably, any other club, this was extraordinary bowling. He scored over 8,000 runs, with four centuries, so by any standards you have a class all rounder.
Percy's build belied his smooth, graceful run up to delivery, which was right arm medium, usually over the wicket. Movement off the pitch was not prodigeous, but just enough either way. It was in flight - from any crease position - the absolute classic variation of pace that deceived most batsmen. His slow ball was "on a piece of spring" - superb. For an insight into the skill of a bowler, ask his wicket keeper. Those that kept to Percy confirm he was a devil to keep to. As the keeper is several yards (sorry metres) behind the batsman, we have some idea of the problems he caused. By acute observation a batsman would be summed up, and frequently set up. Many fielders will testify to being placed in a precise position, given some signal that this was it, and it usually was, straight down the throat. As Percy was not too pleased with dropped catches, this experience could be a little daunting. He dropped few himself and was surprisingly agile and sharp at first slip.
Opening the batting Percy's technique was orthodox and correct, with no trace of flamboyance. He worked the ball well off front or back foot, but his trademark - a sure sign of class - was the drive off the back foot through the on-side vee from straight to midwicket.
As 2nd XI captain in his latter years, Percy encouraged the next generation, all of whom one would imagine were aware that he really was something special.
Percy played from 1927 to 1977. He took 2,038 wickets (1,830+208), scored 10,927 runs (8,641+2,286) and took 327 catches (275+52). CT
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David Jemmett (1983-present)
Profile will appear here
Andrew Lyon (1971-1975)
Andrew Lyon came to the Club having previously played for Buckinghamshire in the Minor Counties. There must have been a logical reason why he bowled fast for his first few games, but, good though he was, his true talent was as an off spin bowler.
Tall, with a fast run up and whippy action, he varied his pace, but his stock technique, was to push the ball through sometimes at medium pace, so it was difficult for a batsman to use his feet to him. Because his arm action was high, the ball tended to lift, frequently hitting the batsman on the gloves. Mainly bowling from the Pavilion end on the Common, the ball turned sharply down the hill, so the keeper's skill was severely tested. Sometimes the turn could be such that it would be judged too excessive and he would change to the Village end.
The 1972 annual report says he was "at times unplayable". It's true. On any pitch, in any condition, he could dismiss the best of batsmen. It was possible to set and maintain attacking fields with a forward short leg, backward short leg and leg slip - the batsmen were under constant pressure, rarely being given what is now known as a "cafeteria".
The ball was gripped in the conventional manner for off breaks, with the fore and index fingers on the angled seam. With long fingers Andrew could give the ball a tremendous tweak. So much so that the Captain's report for 1974 says "I look forward to hearing from my position at short leg the buzz of the spun ball next season".
With a good eye Andrew was a carefree, aggressive bat, but really did give the impression that bowling was the only thing that was worth his attention. As you would expect from a bowler, he had a great throwing arm.
Andrew played just five seasons for the Club, yet took 449 wickets, he won the bowling cup four times. In three successive seasons (1972-1974) he took over 100 wickets and on 40 occasions took over 5 wickets in an innings. If he had played longer for the Club what might have been? A captain's dream and a batsman's nightmare.
Andy played from 1971 to 1975. He took 459 wickets (449+10), scored 1,352 runs (1,314+38) and took 35 catches. DS
Frank Mayston (1940-1964)
Considered by many to have done more than anybody to make the club what it is today. His playing career spanned over two decades and his direct involvement with the club lasted 55 years until he gave up the Presidency in 1995 and has continued to support the club from the boundary since then. In his time at the club he held nearly every position possible, including working on the ground as and when required.
As captain during the 50's and early 60's he led, with great awareness, perhaps the strongest Henfield teams in memory and this together with his knowledge of cricket helped make Henfield one of the outstanding and strongest club sides of the time. He would lead from the front, literally, as he used to open the batting and if required keep wicket. He was a very correct batsman who used to collect his runs rather than smash bowling around; never one to hog the averages he was always content to drop down the order to give somebody else a chance.
His love of Henfield cricket as well as the game itself was self-evident and even when well into his nineties liked nothing better than to reminisce about various past games and innings as well as the state of the game today. Frank played from 1940 -1964 and was captain between 1951 -1964. He scored 9,597 runs and had a total of 231 catches and 11 victims as wicket keeper. He was President of the club a record 14 years from 1981 - 1995. CT
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JV Musson (1921-1948)
Profile will appear here
Tim Parsons (1971-present)
With any amount of luck and events proceeding normally Tim is likely to become the Club's leading wicket taker of all time. This is a remarkable achievement in itself, but is enhanced by the fact that many of his wickets were taken in the harsh competitiveness of league cricket. You don't take over a thousand wickets, take more than five in an innings 77 times, or have a 9 for 59, without talent. To do so in such a quiet, unassuming manner is as much to his credit as taking the wickets, Tim's path in Henfield cricket has been from watching in his early teens to schoolboy player (the last Henfield player to wear the distinctive red cap of Steyning Grammar School) to second eleven and finally to the firsts.
Tim is a right arm, usually but not always over the wicket, slow, off spin bowler. As you would expect he bowls mainly from the Pavilion end on the Common. From a very short run - well steps actually - the delivery is based on a classic side-on bowling action, with braced left leg, high arm action and complete follow through. The ball is gripped in the conventional manner for the off break. He does not bowl the floater away from the right hander, but gets the same variation with a seaming arm ball. This is bowled a little faster than previous deliveries and, if the batsman is set up for the off break, can be deadly. He can turn the ball sharply, but does not use this repeatedly, but rather as a variation along with astute use of the crease and slower balls. To be parsimonious he can bowl flat with a bit more pace, or - one feels more to his enjoyment - toss it right up to tempt the heave-ho, quite content to trade a few boundaries for a wicket. Any part of this repertoire is used after a skilful assessment of the pitch, batsman, and match situation - in other words sharp reading of the game and clever bowling.
In his youth Tim had a powerful throw, reaching the keeper on the full from any boundary position on the Common, and has always had a reliable pair of hands.
Initially Tim was an all-rounder, but as his bowling became more proficient his batting opportunities became fewer. However he can still make useful runs in the lower order, mainly from lofted drives into the "vee", but, if the situation demands it, he can (and has) bat stubbornly for a draw. This though is against his nature, for he has - and this was demonstrated during his period of captaincy - a very positive approach to a game of cricket.
Tim started playing in 1971 and is still going strong. He was captain in 1978, 1985-86, 1992 and 1996. To date he has scored more than 6,000 runs, taken nearly 1,800 wickets, and held nearly 250 catches. DS
Ron Pavey (1970-1996)
Profile will appear here
Martin Payne (1986-present)
Profile will appear here
John Penikett (1842-1868)
One of the host of Henfield-born and bred players to play regularly for both club and county in the mid-nineteenth century, Penikett is notable for scoring what was probably the first Henfield century. Along with many of the players of this period, his life is largely unknown, though we do know that he was a master hairdresser with premises in the High Street. There is no record of his death, but 20 years ago his great-grandson came across a tombstone in Alberta, Canada marked "John Penikett - farmer, died 1905". Could this immigrant farmer have been the former Henfield cricketer? We have no way of knowing. Penikett is not a common name, so anything is possible. He scored 1,169 runs and took 256 wickets. CC/Tony Penikett
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David Pound (1960-1977)
It is not surprising that living in the School House on the Common and watching cricket from an early age, that David should end up so prominent a Club player. From the smiling scorer clutching his scorebook in the photo in the Pavilion, he became, with normal progression through the 2nd eleven to the firsts, a class opening bowler.
He bowled at good pace left arm, exclusively over the wicket, and, when on the Common, from the village end. Without question his main weapon was the left armer's arm ball of yorker length. On a humid day this delivery would come spearing in from mid-off direction, but he varied his pace according to the conditions of the day. With no movement in the air, he would bowl quicker. To get his swing the whole classic side-on action came from a smooth, languid run up with a high upright arm action coming right across the body, braced right leg. Perfect. The ball was held in the conventional manner with the forefingers across a slightly angled seam. For variation the seam was held upright with forefingers either side. The result was a ball which moved down the Common's slope or held its own. If this delivery actually hit on the seam it would often lift. As the previous balls were pitched up to encourage a drive and probably swinging in, this made run scoring difficult. This is confirmed by the Club records: the opposition batsmen scoring at only 2.50 runs per over against him. In the top ten Club bowlers, this is surpassed only by Trevor Adcock. Twenty five times he took 5 wickets or more and his best 7 for 14 put Goring back in the hutch for 35. In that year, 1975, he took 95 wickets.
It is surely not fanciful to think that David's impressive record would have been even more so, had he not - whilst playing football - chipped a bone and dislocated his ankle. Although he persevered and resumed playing again, it is fair to say he lost some of his previous zip and was never the bowler he had been previous to his accident.
Like his bowling David's batting was equally correct in that elegant way left handers seem to possess. It was good enough that for a period he successfully opened the innings, and, if he had not been satisfied just to bowl, he could have been a genuine all-rounder. But then of course he would have been denied the number eleven's prod to save the game, which he mischievously enjoyed.
David was a safe pair of hands and preferred to field in the slips, but captains wanted him at long leg or third man where his strong, accurate, and powerful throw could be utilised.
David would have been successful in the league cricket the club now plays because batsmen, as he intended, would have been looking to drive, but with his fair, gentleman's approach to the game, would he have enjoyed it?
David played from 1960 to 1977. He took 808 wickets (609+199), scored 2,578 runs (1,926+652) and took 117 catches (106+11). DS
Tony Ralls (1946-1970)
An outstanding all rounder who played for Henfield for 24 years and an important part of the post-war teams; Tony opened the bowling preferring the 'Henfield end' and would bat number 4 to 6. He both batted and bowled with a very upright and correct action and his finishing high windmill-type bowling action and long last stride with its classic side-ways-on action would today be the yardstick for many coaches.
He was part of the Ralls trilogy with Dad umpiring, and sister Pam scoring, both giving many, many years to the club. In some people's memory Tony will be remembered as the opening fast bowler who always wore a cap. It may seem funny in today's game but the proof was in his wicket taking, which is comparable with anybody that has opened the bowling for the club.
Tony played from 1946 - 1970 he took 662 wickets (654+8), scored 7,846 runs (7,762+84) and took 168 catches (167+1) CT
Hugh Rapley (1946-1957)
Profile will appear here
Tony Robertson (1950-1964)
Profile will appear here
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Ken Sadler (1969-1990)
With a background of league cricket in Worcestershire, Ken (Saddles) had acquired an uncompromising attitude to his cricket. This approach was naturally manifested in his batting: play the ball on its merits and take no risks. If you have a virtually perfect batting technique, bottomless patience and concentration - all of which Ken had - then a bowler has a major problem.
Ken had no trademark shot, but was proficient in all the strokes, off front or back foot, and to limit chance played all along the ground. A good bowler could restrict Ken's scoring, so perhaps at times he was not quite aggressive enough, but he was the foundation of the innings, and, as he batted at number one, he took on the opposition's quicks, usually their best bowlers.
Reference can be made to the Club's records to see a breakdown of Ken's performances, so it seems pointless to reiterate them here. Let the captain's report for 1974 speak for them all - "On a pitch of doubtful bounce and fast, he scored 70 out of his team's 123 for 9, 14 extras being the next highest score and that by a player 7. Top score in Bognor's 71 for 9 was 14." That is it in a nutshell - class batting!
Ken was very knowledgeable on the tactics of cricket and, as a captain, manoeuvred his field placings with great skill. Compatible with his serious approach, he was intolerant of poor bowling and even less so of poor fielding. A good fielder himself at gully and short midwicket, he was a great judge of the distance to be from the bat to any given batsman.
Ken would have revelled in the League Cricket now played, with its semi-professional approach, and would have reacted quickly to any on-pitch repartee or "spurring-on". What is more it would have provoked a steely resolve, which would have made him even more difficult to get out, Bad move! Ken played from 1969 to 1990 and was captain in 1971 to 1973, 1979 to 1981 and 1988. He scored 16,745 runs (16,701+744) and took 197 catches. DS
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David Silverson (1960-present)
Between 1960 and 1976 David was perhaps one of the outstanding all round cricketers in Sussex. David with Ken Sadler formed an opening batting partnership that proved to be the must successful opening partnership ever to have played for Henfield, as is proved by the records with a total of over 37,000 runs between them of which David's part was over 20,000.
He was a very stubborn right hand bat that even in later life when playing in his 60's hates getting out. Although he could play most shots his late dab sending the ball wide of the slips to third man was his trade mark shot closely followed by the half forward defensive dead bat with soft hands. This is not to say that when the situation warranted it he was not able to change gear; he could and would attack the bowling with gusto, and played many winning innings in this vein. Apart from his batting he was often asked to open the bowling, although he always said that he preferred first or second change. His slow looping run-up to the wicket was followed by a high left arm action, a slightly arched back followed by a low nearly round arm slinging style that made the ball skid through off the pitch catching many a batsman unawares.
If his batting and bowling was not enough he liked to field 'just around the corner' where he held many fine catches and earned the accolade of 'buckets'
David started playing in 1960 and still turns out every week for the Sunday 2nd XI.
He was captain in 1965,1966,1974,1975 and 1977 and to date has scored more than 22,000 runs, taken nearly 1,400 wickets and over 500 catches. Some record! CTRobert Slaughter (1989-present)
Robert's cricketing statistics would make much greater reading was it not for the fact that he started his 1st XI playing career at such a young age. Pictures in the pavilion will bear testament to the fact that he played a large amount of 1st XI cricket when very young and then as he was starting to approach his prime Henfield lost his services for a number of years whilst he was living in Southampton. He still has a great many years of top quality cricket ahead of him and there are no doubts that he will find his rightful place right at the very top end of the club's statistical history.
Having developed through Henfield's colts set up Robert had been earmarked as a promising leg spinner during his time in the Sussex set up. The road to leg spinning glory never really took off and it has been as a fast bowling, hard hitting batting all rounder that Robert has really made his mark.
During the early years of his career he was often required to share the league bowling duties with only Tim and Silvo as support. A tough challenge for anyone but for a fast bowler at the start of his career a particularly tough ask. He never shirked away from this and put his all into every game even when getting little joy. His bowling will always be remembered in the history of the club for the day he took all 10 wickets at Dorking. His 10-41 is the 3rd best bowling analysis in the history of Henfield Cricket Club.
The weight of expectation of Robert's bowling certainly inhibited his batting talents during the early years of his career. Since his return from Southampton he has shown his true batting abilities and has cemented himself as a key player in the 1st XI batting line up. A most destructive player who has the ability to take any bowling attack apart if he is in the mood. He holds the record for the highest league score for the club with 133.
As a fielder Robert was often under employed in key areas whilst he was taking well-earned breaks at long leg between overs. In recent times he has grown into a fantastic 1st slip fielder and rarely does he miss anything in the field.
His on field talents have spoken for themselves and as his career progresses there is no doubt that he will continue to add to his wonderful club record.
Off the pitch though his reputation as a valued member of Henfield Cricket Club is perhaps its greatest. His off field partnership with Chris Garcia in the mid-noughties providing some of the best social stories and events in club history. This is perhaps not the place to provide detail but I'm sure that Robert will share more in exchange for a pint of his favoured "Turbo Shandy" and anyone who saw the growling Tiger thong will never be able to forget that spectacle.
Always a headline writers favourite and at the end of his career the chance to reflect how many teams have fallen foul of the following headline types would be an interesting exercise: "…. Taken to the Slaughter", "….Slaughtered", " Slaughter on Henfield Common" etc. KT
CH Smith (1861-1884)
One of several Henfield players to captain Sussex, Charles Smith was a right-handed batsman whose Henfield career was largely outside of the years he played for Sussex, where he was also captain. He was another local product, born in Albourne and passing away in Henfield. CC/Cricinfo
CLA Smith (1887-1908)
The son of CH Smith, and another who remained in Henfield throughout his life, Charles Smith also captained Sussex. He was a right handed batsman, and occasional medium-fast bowler. CH and CLA Smith were two of only five people born in the county to have captained Sussex. CC/Cricinfo
Ken Stevens (1958-1975)
If you are one of the generation who can recall Roy Orbison, then you can picture Ken - he was a dead spit, including shades. However there is no doubt who was the better bowler!
Ken bowled right-arm - invariably over the wicket - and would be classified as a spinner, but he had a long run for this type of bowler. He appeared not to be a great spinner of the ball, but got deviation from the off by purchase rather than a snap of the fingers. Operating from the Pavilion end of the Common gave him natural assistance from the slope, but he was still able to take wickets on non-sloping pitches.
Tall, with a high action which gave bounce and surprising "pace off the pitch" Impossible? Anyone who witnessed his 6 for 1 at Storrington will swear it is not. Fast through the air for a spinner, batsmen found it very difficult to use their feet to create scoring opportunities. Although line and length were never sacrificed to experimentation, Ken would on occasion alter his pace or even put in a leg break - definitely rolled - as variation. But who can doubt his "bowl it tight" philosophy: 783 wickets at 12.87 seem a good endorsement!
In the period when Ken was with the Club, cricket was much more of a social event, and being a good host to the opposition was a skill that Ken performed brilliantly. Ken was a keen golfer and this was made apparent when batting, for his lofted drives into the "vee" from minimal - well none, actually - foot movement would sometimes provide useful late order runs and much merriment. Facing bowlers of medium pace would however produce a change in technique - with a straight face Ken would say "I was just giving myself room to hit through the off-side". With the limitation of overs, this is now, of course, exactly what batsmen do. Ken would have loved the irony.
Ken played from 1958 to 1975 and was captain in 1967 and 1968. He scored 1,972 runs (1,936+36), took 787 wickets (783+4) and took 65 catches. CT
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Conway Thorns (1954-present)
Profile will appear here
Kevin Thorns (1986-present)
Profile will appear here
Nelson Thorns (1921-1957)
Perhaps the pick of the Thorns' cricketing generations. Like most people of his era much of his cricket development was curtailed by the war but when cricket started again he was selected to play for Sussex Club & Ground as well as Henfield, this in the same era as the Landridge brothers, H.W.Parks etc.
He was a medium pace bowler rather than fast, and would bat in the middle order where his keen eyesight and reflexes allowed him to perhaps over attack the bowling rather more than playing the more correct defensive shot - he handed this form of batting down to the next two family generations!
He was vice-captain in 1947 and 1948 and captain in 1949 and played for the club through what many thought was the modern heyday of Henfield cricket.
The story is told that when he appealed it could be heard in the High Street, perhaps a little extreme but many people will testify that if the ball was hit towards them in the air they would wait with trepidation for the dreaded bellow of 'catch that ball, boy.' In one second eleven game his own son was caught talking to a friend on the boundary and missed a catch. He was taken off from bowling and made to field at deep third man at both ends all afternoon, then batted at number eleven! But he was a fair captain and would always make up after the game with a chat while drinking a glass of his favourite Light Ale.
He will also be remembered for declaring when on 99 at Rottingdean, although to be fair nobody was too sure if this was a miscalculation or a cricketing decision. Henfield only drew the game, the following year he scored the one run needed for his hundred.
Nelson played from 1921-1957, and was captain in 1948 and 1949. He scored a total of 5,806 runs (4,182+1,624), took 534 wickets (358+181) and 131 catches (108+23. CT
James Vinall (1921-1939)
A Henfield player in the 1920s and 30s, Vinall joined the RAF in the Second World War. After being shot down over Germany his tragic death is detailed in the book Tail-end Charlies. The first section is from one of his colleagues:
"'Escorts sat on each side of me. One was a senior NCO, armed with a pistol, the other man had a rifle. We had been waiting about an hour when a dozen men came in and began talking among themselves. I realized they had come for me. My life was being threatened again. The senior NCO took off his cap and put it on my head, either to try and disguise me or to make it clear I was one of them. Then an array officer arrived and he confronted the crowd. He stood up in front of them and told them I was a prisoner of war and that I was protected by the Geneva Convention. Just then the train came in and I was hustled on board. My escort stood at the windows with their guns in their hands until we had left the platform behind and were on our way. The NCO gave me some schnapps and some bread. I asked him what had happened to my friends and he said;'Your comrades are safe.' Eventually I arrived unharmed at a POW camp.'
"Later he would discover that the German NCO had lied, perhaps too ashamed to tell his prisoners the truth. The mob who had arrived at the station had come with blood on their hands and were thirsting for more. Tate was one of three who ran from Huchenteld when they realized they were about to be lynched. One of the others, Jimmy Vinall, the flight engineer, had been recaptured the next day in another village. He was held in the police station but then a mob of Hitler Youth came for him, dragged him outside and beat him up. Then a fifteen-year-old boy, half crazy with grief and anger, was given a gun. Just weeks ago he had dug through the rubble of Pforzheim and found his mother's crushed body and those of five brothers and sisters. Egged on by the others, the distraught boy shot Vinall in the head."
He scored 2,357 runs for Henfield. DS/"Tail End Charlies"
Keith Waldron (1957-2002)
Profile will appear here
Eric Wells (1953-1982)
Another outstanding all rounder who played for the club for 29 years. Eric's importance to the team was that he was a left-handed batsman and bowler. His gave the team that extra dimension with his left arm around the wicket leg break bowling and caused problems to most opponents. Perhaps his one fault was that he tried to bowl too many different types of balls per over, instead of relying on a stock ball and a few variations. He was a hard hitting middle order bat that on his day was as destructive as anyone, although here again he probably tried to play too many shots too soon, too often.
He was well known for always having sweets in his pockets and he would eat them constantly during a game; did he know something about ball manipulating before the rest of the cricket world?
Eric played from 1953 - 1982 he took 1,029 wickets (954+75), scored 7,897 runs (7,202+695) and took 198 catches (187+11. CT
Profiles written by Conway Thorns, David Silverson and Kevin Thorns. Additional material from Chris Crampton
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