Post-war memories, from Alan ByottAlan writes:
"I attended ICHS from 1943-1948 where Ted Drakes was our sports master and it was him who started me playing cricket. First of all in House matches and then for the school.
I was chosen to play for the OPCC 4thXI in 1949 when our home ground was Barkingside Rec and the Old Blues ground at Fairlop. I remember Tony Levi because he bowled me out in the practise nets in the Rec more times than I care to remember. He really was a very good bowler.
During my time with OPCC one match sticks out in my memory. Playing for the 3rd XI against Wanstead 3rds our opening bowler dislocated a finger fielding in the slips after bowling one over. I was asked to bowl in his place and after two or three overs they had reached 21 without loss, then on a damp pitch things started to happen and they finished up 22 all out. My tally was 7 for 10 and the bowler at the other end (whose name I think was Jarman) got 3 for 11 the other run was a bye. Needless to say we had an early tea and a beer match."
Alan also sent this photograph.
Alan writes
"The photo...is of the OPCC 4th XI taken at Marconi's ground at Chelmsford on 13th Aug 1949. I am now 76 and I am afraid I can only recall one suname and that was the captain Pete Chivers, by the way I am the little one front row right. I was proud to wear the Old Parks badge on my blazer but in those days we did not have the circle with the name on it, it was just the shield with the three scimitars on it .
I hope I haven't gone on too long and that the photo might jog some memories."
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