One of the Isle of Wight’s last surviving works cricket teams will celebrate 50 years of playing the game later this month, with a special President’s Day fixture planned at Porchfield Cricket Club on Sunday 24th August.
Back in the 1970s, works team cricket was a popular fixture on the Isle of Wight sporting calendar, with employees from businesses such as Wadhams, Temperature, Inland Revenue, Trucast, Britten Norman, Southern Vectis and Southern Water regularly competing in midweek 20-over matches.
Although most of those teams have since disappeared, Island Bakeries Cricket Club has continued to thrive. The Binstead-based bakery, which originally formed the team in 1975, closed in 1984, but the cricket club has carried on with players no longer involved in baking yet still united by the love of the game.
This month’s commemorative match will see president Dene Richards’ XI take on a side captained by chairman Alan Marriott. Former bakery owner Bill Cooper will attend as guest of honour, alongside ex-players from across the decades.
The club’s very first game in 1975 saw them face Radio Rentals at Pell Lane, Ryde, with names like Mick Souter, Ray Tolley, Martyn Nicholson and Geoff Smith – still bowling today in his mid 70s – going on to become stalwarts. By 1982, the team was playing over 30 matches a season.
Following the bakery’s closure, the side moved grounds several times before settling at Porchfield Cricket Club in 1996. They have also maintained a tradition of annual tours, visiting Sussex for the past 20 years as well as making trips to Kent, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and the New Forest.
Although they play only friendly matches against Island and visiting clubs, in the winter they take part in the IW Indoor League, and this year achieved their finest competitive triumph by winning the league for the first time. Nearly 600 players have represented the team over the past 50 years, with club statistician and historian Tony Cook recording the names and figures in two books he has published.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated grounds team of Richard Webb, Pete Bonser and Gordon Barton work tirelessly to prepare a quality playing surface for the 50-plus matches held at the ground each year.
Dene Richards, Club President, has said:
“Over many years, I have played and watched Bakeries, seeing us develop into one of the last beacons of social cricket on the Island.
“Many works teams and cricket clubs have fallen by the wayside over the years but Bakeries just seem to get stronger and stronger.
“We hold social events, play against lovely touring sides and host nearly all of the Island clubs through the season.
“I am proud to be the president and look forward to many more seasons in the sun.”
The President’s Day celebration will begin at 14:00 at Porchfield CC’s ground in Coleman’s Lane, with spectators welcome to join in marking the half-century milestone. If you used to play for or against Island Bakeries and would like to attend, call Alan on 07812 100567.
