NEWS

The OCs batsmen have scored around 175 centuries since starting our first full season in 1895. These have been compiled playing about hundred different clubs. We have played the School more often than any other side, so it is no surprise that 15 of them were scored versus CLS. 

Prior to the official launch of the OCCC we played the school annually from 1881, with a few matches between 1864 and 1878, sometimes called Old Citizens but usually as the Past in Past v. Present games. There is a record of one century in that period. WE Hobbs scored 101* in July 1891. 

Five batsmen account for more than sixty centuries in total between them, Frankie Hawker 15,  Graham Chidgey 15, Percy Hale 14, Freddy Pearson 12 and Martin Lewis 9. The most centuries scored in a season by one batsman is four. Percy Hale in 1901, and Freddy Pearson in 1937. Mike Brearley scored three in 1960, and Graham Chidgey got three in 1964, even though he only batted four times that season. Saad Syed hit three in 2017. 

Top score of 179 is held by Freddy (v. Dulwich) who normally batted at number three or four and was very much an all rounder, as his left arm spin was the mainstay of the slow bowling attack for many years. 

The highest score title had been held by Percy Hale for over fifty years with 166* (v. Hornsey 1897) and he held the second and third best too, with 155* and 155. The latter two were both off the South Hampstead attack in consecutive years! Percy was our first super star, he also bowled off breaks and was a useful fielder. He was the first OC to perform the all rounder's double of hitting a century and taking five wickets in a match with Hastings & St. Leonards CC. Percy hit 14 centuries in 7 years. He also played County cricket for Middlesex CCC. 

Franky Hawker, as he was known originally, later he used his middle name, Cyril; restarted the cricket club after the first world war. Between the wars he was a stalwart of our first eleven, and usually the best batsman in the side, and captained the club from 1929 to the war. He played some County cricket for Essex. In later years he was knighted and became President of the MCC 1970/71.

Graham Chidgey, the son of Charles, who was a regular player in the nineteen thirties and forties, was one of the best players to emerge from the School. Like his father before him, he played for the OCs over a considerable period even though his ability attracted the attention of the best sides. Graham was our club captain for four years, and vice captain for two at the end of the fifties and into the nineteen sixties. Mainly known for his batting, his mixed spin was successful, and he was an astute captain and excellent fielder too. He represented the Club Cricket Conference, scored plenty of runs playing for Surrey CCC seconds, and played a first class match against Cambridge University where he scored a century.

Martin Lewis was playing for us in the nineteen seventies and eighties, and set himself a target of scoring centuries against all the strongest opponents we played at that time, including Southgate, Beckenham, Bexhill and The Frogs. Once established he played attractive attacking drives mixed with a solid defence.

Other players who have scored three or more centuries for us: Gary Israel, Mike Gigney, J Mike Brearley (Capt. Cambridge University, Middlesex, and England), John Petzold, Willie Wainwright, Thommo Thomson, Phil Sharnock, Steve Ringer, Ian Brown (CCC & Cross Arrows), Doug Stoker, Mike Edmonds, Bob Dowdall, Saeed Hatteea (Rest of the World XI v. England), and Mike Knight.

179   Freddy Pearson v. Dulwich 13/6/1948

166* Percy W Hale v. Hornsey 4/9/1897                                         

155* Percy W Hale v. South Hampstead 14/9/1901           

155   Percy W Hale v. South Hampstead 26/6/1902

154* Denis Ogan v. Stoics 28/6/1950                  

154   J Mike Brearley v. TV Travellers 6/9/1964

148* Freddy Pearson v. Old Whitgiftians 23/6/1934

148* Jordan Narbarro v. Shenley Village 25/7/2015

146   M Saad Syed v. Waxlow 6/8/2016  

145   Graham J Chidgey v. City of London School 26/6/1954

143* Michael R Knight v. Ley Hill 10/7/2010      

138* Thommo (WFJ) Thomson v. Chartered Bank of India 26/6/1920

138* WA (Bill) Saunders v. Griffin 13/7/1985 (2nd XI) Highest 2nd XI score.    

137   Percy W Hale v. Clapton 1/8/1898

137   Thommo (WFJ) Thomson v. Lensbury 7/5/1939            

136* Graham J Chidgey v. The Frogs 22/5/1966

135* J Mike Brearley v. Essex Wanderers 29/5/1960       

133* Graham J Chidgey v. Bank of England 10/9/1960

132   Michael R Knight v. Old Merchant Taylors 24/7/2004  

131* Jim Kenny v. Old Dunstonians 23/8/1980 (3rd XI) Highest 3rd XI score.

131   CAF Sayer v. University  College Hospital 29/6/1929 

130* RE (Bob) Dowdall v. Old Elthamians 3/6/1971

129* Graham J Chidgey v. Bank of England 12/9/1959

128* M Saad Syed v. Waxlow 18/8/2018 

127* Michael A Spruzen v. Woodford Wells 12/8/1961 (2nd XI)

127   Jack Malnick v. Shenley Village (25/7/2015)

126   R (Bob) Burnet v. Cyphers 2/5/1965 (2nd XI)

125* Franky C Hawker v. Beaconsfield 5/8/1928

124* Franky C Hawker v. Dulwich 17/9/1938

124* Philip J Sharnock v. Old Cholmeleians 30/8/1969

124   A Rego v. Aldenham 12/9/2009

122* Mike J Edmonds v. City of London School 26/6/1965

122* W Hubert Ollis v. Royal Exchange Assurance 28/7/1934 (2nd XI)

122* Saeed A Hatteea v. City of London School 5/6/1976

122* Gary Israel v. Bessborough 21/7/1990

122   Martin N Lewis v. City of London School 10/6/1978

121* Don A Wakeford v. Lensbury 20/5/1929

121* Norman de Q Dodds v. Lensbury 5/8/1946

121* Martin N Lewis v. Southgate 24/7/1976

120   J Mike Brearley v. Woodford Wells 23/9/1962

119   Martin N Lewis v. The Frogs 3/8/1975

118* AS Carte v. South American Banks 12/9/1912

118* Graham J Chidgey v. Southgate 8/7/1967

118* Saeed A Hatteea v. Ockham 20/7/1975

118* Ali Abu v. Bamville 29/8/2015

118   M Saad Syed v. Bamville 13/5/2017 

116* Mark Signy v. Storrington 6/8/1999

116   F Cyril Hawker v. South Hampstead 26/6/1949

116   RE (Bob) Dowdall v. Lensbury 18/7/1971

115* Winter v. Lloyds Sports 8/6/1957 (3rd XI)

115* Doug B Stoker v. St. Johns 27/5/1972 (3rd XI)

115* Peter A Townson v. Oxshott Village 21/5/1989

115   Franky C Hawker v. City of London School 24/7/1926

115   M Saad Syed v. Arkley 8/7/2017

114* Freddy Pearson v. South Hampstead 13/7/1946 (2nd XI)

114* Willie G Wainwright v. Old Alleynians 2/9/1972 (3rd XI)

114* Martin N Lewis v. Beckenham 12/6/1976

114* Andy R Mitchell v. Bowring 22/7/1989 (2nd XI)

114   Frankie C Hawker v. Edmonton 14/6/1930

114   Martin N Lewis v. Bexhill 5/8/1976

113   Freddy Pearson v. City of London School 19/7/1930

113   F Cyril Hawker v. City of London School 9/7/1947

113   John R Petzold v. Westminster Bank 24/5/1969 (3rd XI)

113   Mike J Edmonds v. The Frogs 2/8/1970

112* John R Petzold v. City of London School 25/6/1966

112* Bruce AH Todd v. Lloyds Register 1/6/1985

112* Richard K Vaughan v. Churchill College 30/5/1971

112   Dick (R)GF Thatcher  v. Lensbury 3/6/1963

112   Graham J Chidgey v. Old Cheltonians 3/5/1964

112   Mike Gigney v. Morden Village 7/7/1985

112   Mike Gigney v. Beckenham 10/5/1987 (2nd XI)

111* Franky C Hawker v. Richmond 11/6/1927

111* Ian FC Brown v. Richmond 2/8/1959

111* Mike Gigney v. Beckenham 7/6/1981 (2nd XI)

111   Percy W Hale v. Hythe 21 & 22/8/1900 (two day game)

111   Chris A Messenger v. City of London School 27/4/1968

111   Tom Carter v. Reigate Pilgrims 23/8/1992 

110* Graham J Chidgey v. Esher 4/7/1966

110   Franky C Hawker v. City of London School 14/5/1927

110   Mike J Edmonds v. City of London School 1/7/1967

110   Philip J Sharnock v. Beckenham 8/6/1969 (2nd XI)

109* Franky C Hawker v. Southgate 22/8/1936

109* Martin N Lewis v. Netherne Hospital 28/9/1975

109   Freddy Pearson v. Richmond 8/6/1929

109   J Mike Brearley v. Old Cheltonians 3/7/1960

108   Gary Israel v. Bowring 18/7/1992

107* EA Knight v. Wanstead 27/6/1908

107* Gary Israel v. Statics 14/6/1986 (2nd XI)

107   Percy W Hale v. Panther 6/7/1901

107   Thommo (WFJ) Thomson v. Alleyn Old Boys 18/7/1925

107   Jack Malnick v. Oakfield Parkonians 25/5/2019

107   Freddy Pearson v. Old Ardinians 11/5/1949

107   Kevin D Brooks v. Hoares Bank 11/8/1982

107   Michael R Knight v. Old Ignatians 15/5/2010

106* Percy Hale v. City of London School 11/7/1903

106* NL Walker v. Gerrards Cross 5/8/1934

106* Willie G Wainwright v. Catford 2/9/1973

106   Graham J Chidgey v. Southgate 19/5/1962

106   John R Petzold v. Richmond 24/6/1962 (2nd XI)

106   Doug B Stoker v. Old Wilsonians 5/8/1972 (2nd XI)

106   Willie G Wainwright v. Reigate Pilgrims 25/8/1974

106   Jo ED Spencer v. Kimpton 30/7/1994

105* Freddy Pearson v. Ealing 20/8/1931

105* F Cyril Hawker v. South Hampstead 27/6/1948

105* Denis Ogan v. Old Westminsters 4/8/1967

105* Chris Fidge v. Ibis 23/6/1990

105   Thommo (WFJ) Thomson v. The Admiralty 7/8/1920

105   Graham J Chidgey v. Old Westminsters 5/8/1966

105   Gary Israel v. Maori 15/7/1989

105   Bill (W)A Saunders v. Bamville 19/6/1999

104* Percy W Hale v. Hon. Artillery Company 7/9/1901

104* Frankie C Hawker v. Purley 22/8/1931

104* Kim (KI) Morell v. Northwood 17/6/1961 (2nd XI)

104* Chris P Mercer v. Maori 13/8/1983 (2nd XI)

104* Mike Gigney v. Crockenhill Village 12/8/1984

104* Mark A Flewitt v. Times Newspapers 1/9/1985

104* Gary Israel v. Old Dunstonians 19/7/1988

104* Steve Ringer v. Mountnessing 6/9/2003

104   Percy W Hale v. Hastings & St. Leonards 16/8/1899

104   Percy W Hale v. Clapton 27/5/1901

104   Frankie C Hawker v. City of London School 15/7/1933

103* Percy W Hale v. Norwood 4/7/1903

103* NW Smith v. City of London School 15/7/1933 (3rd XI)

103* Fag (FAG) White v. Old Alleynian 13/8/1949

103* Graham J Chidgey v. Southgate 2/7/1960

103* J Mike Brearley v. Old Edwardians 24/7/1960

103* Willie G Wainwright v. The Frogs 3/8/1975

103* Martin N Lewis v. Furness Withy 16/5/1981

103* Roger A Blitz v. Bowring 2/5/1987 (2nd XI)

103* Steve Ringer v. Ivanhoe 2/8/2003

103   Graham J Chidgey v. South Hampstead 26/6/1955

103   Graham J Chidgey v. South Hampstead 8/8/1959

103   Jo ED Spencer v. Cranford Casuals 23/8/1997

102* Franky C Hawker v. Hertford 8/5/1937

102* Freddy Pearson v. Old Whitgiftians 17/7/1937

102* Geoff B Bates v. Old Suttonians 3/5/1970 (2nd XI)

102* Dick (R)K Vaughan v. Beckenham 13/5/1973 (2nd XI)

102* John R Petzold v. Maori 26/8/1973

102* Philip J Sharnock v. Churchill College 2/6/1974

102* Martin N Lewis v. Standard Chartered Bank 31/7/1982

102* M Saad Syed v. Penn Street 22/7/2017

102   Percy W Hale v. Kensington 27/5/1899

102   Freddy Pearson v. Ealing 5/6/1937

102   Michael W Spruzen v. Byfleet 25/7/59

102   Mike Gigney v. Maori 15/8/1981

102   Sam Packer v. Storrington 8/8/2014

101* Percy W Hale v. Pallingswick 12/5/1900

101* Franky C Hawker v. Beaconsfield 14/8/1926

101* Freddy Pearson v. Southgate 22 /8/ 1936

101* Freddy Pearson v. Richmond 27/6/1937

101* Ian FC Brown v. Wimbledon 3/8/1963

101* Doug B Stoker v. Sunbury 9/7/1967 (2nd XI)

101* Bob (R)E Dowdall v. Beckenham 8/6/1970 (2nd XI)

101* Philip J Sharnock v. Hon. Artillery Company 15/7/1972

101* Martin N Lewis v. Old Mid-Whitgiftians 31/5/1982

101* Gary Israel v. Hoares Bank 17/6/1991

101* Bill (W)A Saunders v. Gaddesden Row 1/7/1995

101* Bruce AH Todd v. Gaddesden Row 9/5/1998

101   Franky C Hawker v. South Hampstead 5/6/1938

101   Geoff B Bates v. Oxshott Village 18/5/1980

101   Steve Ringer v. Furness Withy 17/8/1980

100* Freddy  Pearson v. Southgate 12/5/1937

100* D Knowles v. City of London School 2/5/1951 (2nd XI)

100* Don A Wakeford v. The Wanderers 28/6/1951

100* Graham J Chidgey v. The Frogs 28/5/1961

100* Ian FC Brown v. Jack Frost XI 28/4/1963 (2nd XI)

100* Paul R Miller v. Old Rutlishians 19/8/1972 (3rd XI) Youngest century scorer

100* Tony (A) Sanders v. City of London Polytechnic 19/5/1973

100* Willie G Wainwright v. Rank Advertising Films 28/6/1975 (2nd XI)

100* Colin J Keeler v. Leveret 8/7/1978 (3rd XI)

100* Roger G Radford v. Hoares Bank 21/7/1979 (2nd XI)

100* Saeed A Hatteea v. Linden Park 13/7/1980

100* Mike Gigney v. Richmond 21/6/1981 (2nd XI)

100* Len J Stokes v. West Wickham 18/9/1982

100* Steve Ringer v. Pearl Assurance 27/8/1983

100* Bill (W)A Saunders v. Bromley Common 3/8/1985

100* Gary Israel v. Pearl Assurance 11/8/1990

100* Bill (W)A Saunders v. Kimpton 3/8/1996

100* Jack Malnick v. Whittington 22/4/2017

100   Graham Chidgey v. Old Cheltonians 8/7/1962

100   John R Petzold v. Early Birds 22/6/1963

100   Stuart H Courtney v. Storrington 10/8/2001

The following players went very close but did not quite get there: 

99*   Tom F Gales v. Maori 21/8/1976 (innings declared!)

98*   Richard I Millett v. Essendon  11/8/2001

98     Peter G Wainwright v. R.A.C.S. 8/5/1971 (highest score by an Old Mercer) 

97     Peter EG Sawell v. Netherne Hospital 26/4/1975 (dubious lbw!)

The following oppositions were involved

City of London School 15, Southgate, South Hampstead 7, Beckenham, The Frogs, Lensbury, and Richmond 5, Maori 4, Bamville, Bowring, Hon. Artillery Company, Old Cheltonians 3,  Bank of England, Beaconsfield, Churchill College, Clapton, Dulwich, Furness Withy, Gaddesden Row, Hoares Bank, Kimpton, Old Alleynian, Old Dunstonians, Old Westminsters, Old Whitgiftians, Oxshott Village, Pearl Assurance, Reigate Pilgrims, Shenley Village, Storrington, Waxlow, Woodford Wells 2, and Admiralty, Aldenham, Alleyn Old Boys, Arkley, Bessborough, Bexhill, Bromley Common, Byfleet, Catford, Chartered Bank of India, City of London Polytechnic, Cranfield Casuals, Crockenhill Village, Cyphers, Ealing, Early Birds, Edmonton, Esher, Essex Wanderers, Gerrards Cross, Griffin, Hampstead, Hastings & St. Leonards, Hertford, Hornsey, Hythe, Kensington, Leveret, Ley Hill, Linden Park, Lloyds Register, Lloyds Sports, Morden Village, Mountnessing, Netherne Hospital, Northwood, Norwood, Oakfield Parkonians, Ockham, Old Ardinians, Old Cholmeleians, Old Edwardians, Old Elthamians, Old Ignatians, Old Merchant Taylors, Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Rutlishians, Old Suttonians, Old Wilsonians, Pallingswick, Panther, Penn Street, Purley, Rank Advertising Films, Royal Exchange Assurance, St. Johns, Slough, South American Banks, Standard Chartered Bank, Statics, Stoics, Sunbury, TV Travellers, Times Newspapers, University College Hospital, Wanderers, Wanstead, West Wickham, Westminster Bank, Whittington, and Wimbledon. 1 each.

Ref: P62/C181/V104/Ex1891

Updated to end of 2019.