Cricket at Navestock

Some of the earliest cricket matches were played in Essex in the C18th. Navestock together with Hornchurch and Stock served as the usual grounds for matches between ESSEX and KENT. Records show three instances of play there before 1784. Matches were played opposite the Green Man public house, at Navestockside (now Alec’s Restaurant). The club was formed circa 1768.
The earliest of these dates is the rumour-type report dated 23rd. September 1768. It is worth reproducing in full, if only because of its charming language.
“We hear that there will be a match of Cricket played on Saturday next, at the Green Man on Navestock Common, between the Gentlemen of Epping and the Gentlemen of Brentwood. The wickets will be pitched at 11 o'clock and the match to be played out.”

Six years later (1774) a loosely worded advertisement in the Chelmsford Chronicle again refers to famous ground at Navestock.

“This is to give notice, that on Monday next, the 20th. Instant, there will be played a match at cricket between two of the best elevens in Essex. For a considerable sum of money, at The Green Man at Navestock Common. The wickets will be pitched at Ten o'clock.”

Further report show on August 26th.1783, a match was played at Mrs Barkers at the Green Man at Navestock Between Hornchurch and Ingatestone, for a Guinea a man.

August 1793 notice is given in the Chelmsford Chronicle of a giant game arranged between fifty from Essex and Hertfordshire, and the All England Eleven.
Notice of the match to be held at Navestock on the 19th Of August 1793, was given, in two separate issues of The Chelmsford Chronicle, but no result ever appeared. The notice read as follows:
“ELEVEN ALL ENGLAND against FIFTY ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE
For £500 to be played on Monday the 19th. Instant, at the Green Man, Navestock. Wickets to be pitched at 10 o'clock.

Later it was reported one more that:
“As it may afford pleasure to the amateurs of cricket and to many of our readers to know the first eleven players in the world, the following are judged to be them: -T. Walker H. Walker Beldham Ring Small jun. Boxall Freemantle Hammond Wells Purchase Harris.
They are to play 50 cricketers taken from the Counties of Essex and Hertfordshire and 6 to 4 are betted in their favour.”

ESSEX
CRICKET CLUB
For the year 1790
Will be held at the
Green Man at Navestock
On the following days:

Monday, May 3rd
Monday, July 12th
“ “ 17th
“ “ 26th
“ “ 31st
“ August 9th
“ June 14th
“ “ 23rd
“ “ 28th

A List of Members

R. B. Wyatt
Holden Strutt, Esq.
J. Russell, Esq.
John Tyrell, Esq.
Thomas Velley, Esq.
John Harribin, Esq.
Mr. Walker
John Rigg, Esq.
Robert Denn, Esq.
Sir. Robt. Boyd, K.G.
Mr. John Boodle
Rev. Mr. Budworth
Rev. M. Bonnington
J. Goodeare, Esq.
Wm. Evans, Esq.
Rt. Hon. Lord Winchelsea
Rev. T. Darby
Rt. Hon. Lord Petre
Rev. W. Lockwood
C. Tower, Esq.
Hon. Capt. Monson
T. Tomlinson, Esq
Wm. Dalby
Sir. W. Smythe
Eliah Harvey, Esq.
T. B. Bramston, Esq.
Rev. B. Conyers
John Bullock, Esq
Wm. Syme, Esq.
F. Fane, Esq.
G. Nicholls, Esq.
J. Mitchell, Esq
V. Mannington, Esq.
N. S. Parry, Esq
Rev. R. Lockwood
J. Urmston, Esq.
Rev. Mr. Abdy
J. A. Wallinger, Esq
Rev. Mr. Stupins
T. Turner, Esq.
Mr. Clark
J. Pardoe, Esq.
John Conyers, Esq.
T. Wright, Esq.
R. Oliver, Esq.
J. Barois, Esq.
F. Ford, Esq.
Rev. Mr. Johnson

E. J. Erith, Chigwell.