Will history repeat itself?
On 24 July 1914, Just days before the outbreak of the first World War I, a team of Colchester Solicitors took on a team of Colchester Auctioneers and Valuers in a Cricket match held in Lower Castle Park on what is now the home ground of Colchester and East Essex Cricket club and where Essex County Cricket Club host Colchester Cricket week.
A number of long established Colchester firms were represented on both sides in the match that day and just a few days later some of them bravely went off to fight in the war, some never to return.
A photograph from the day shows the names of those taking part in the match; it has long taken pride of place in the offices of Fenn Wright.
The Essex County Standard reported at the time:
“SOLICITORS WORSTED BY AUCTIONEERS
The auctioneers easily defeated the Solicitors at the Castle Park Ground on Friday, July 24th. The Solicitors batted first and were all out for 80. The Auctioneers opened with R.G. Craske and John Fenn, who both punished the bowling, sending the field leather hunting until the Solicitors’ total was passed without loss of wicket. Fenn hit one 6 into the river.”
Managing Partner at GoodyBurrett, Bryan Johnston, a former soldier who commanded an infantry company in Gulf war one, decided that a replay of the match 100 years on was too good an opportunity to miss.
Bryan therefore rallied the troops, as it were, forming a committee from firms who had been represented at the original match. The resulting Anniversary Auctioneers and Valuers v Solicitors Cricket Match will take place from 3.00pm on Thursday 24 July 2014 on the same ground as before in Lower Castle Park.
As you might expect there is a considerable amount of rivalry this time – with professional pride at stake! The solicitors are quite determined that they won’t be beaten again
Committee member, David Cant of Birkett Long, said “As a representative of the Solicitors’ team, I don’t think I can be blamed for saying that I hope the team puts in a better performance than last time.”
However, “opposing” committee members have other ideas on the matter. Steve Wright of Fenn Wright says “We will of course be hoping for the same result when obviously the better team was victorious. I think it would be fair to say that the match is being taken very seriously and both teams would, of course, very much like to win!”
We shall see….there are only a few weeks left until battle commences!
Everyone is welcome to come along and watch the match. The bar will be open and the BBQ will be going – all raising much needed funds for the Rob George Foundation and ABF, the Soldiers’ Charity. The event is free to attend but we will ask you for a donation (of your choosing) in return for a copy of our full colour souvenir programme.
If you are a business and would like to support the event you can take an advert in the programme, again, in return for a donation towards the charities. For more information speak to Nicola Crisell from the organising committee, on 01206 217012.
A full match report will follow next month.