Background

The Old Haberdashers’ Cricket Club runs two XIs on Saturdays throughout the summer competing in the Hertfordshire league as well playing some friendlies on Sundays which we hope to increase in the near future. Currently, the club XI's play in Divisions 5 and 9. There are also the annual matches against the School and towards the end of the season the Devon tour which last year saw the fiftieth trip to the West Country.

Although the O.H.C.C. is not an open Club we do welcome friends and family of players and past players and anyone connected with the School and anyone interested in playing cricket should contact Club Captain Sami Ali

Keeping in touch with the results of the Club in the League is easy. There is an excellent web site run by the Hertfordshire League at http://www.hertsleague.co.uk. Results and tables are updated every Sunday morning. More detailed information can be found on the Club's own web site, www.oldhabs.hitscricket.com which should contain up to date results for the year.

Tanner Trophy

A highlight of the season is the annual match against the School which generally takes place on the last Sunday in June. Each team puts out two sides and contest the Nobbly Tanner trophy. This trophy, in memory of one of the famous stalwarts of OHCC cricket, is presented to the team winning the most matches - and since each is a limited overs match there is certain to be a result. Current holders of the trophy are the School.

Devon Tour

The other highlight each year is the annual Devon Tour. This takes place towards the end of August and lasts from Sunday to Friday - with many players rushing down on Sunday morning and then rushing back on Friday night in readiness for the league games next day. Matches are played every day - subject to the vagaries of Devon weather.

Old Boys playing with other Clubs often join this tour for a few days. Accommodation is very good value and the evening's eating, as well as drinking, is often taken very seriously - there are some excellent pub restaurants in the area.

Our opponents during the week can include: 

Chard, Kilmington, Heathcote (on a beautiful National Trust property), Exeter, Chagford and the highlight of the week the Friday match against Sidmouth by the sea.

Foreign Tours

Not content with the Devon Tour, the Club planned an ambitious trip to India just after Christmas 2001. This was to follow a similar, and very successful, tour to Zimbabwe in 1998/9. Unfortunately, a combination of the concerns about terrorism after September 11th and the unrest in India towards the end of 2001 meant that the Tour had to be cancelled.

The League Structure

Each Division of the League consists of 20 teams, which means 19 matches through the summer from the beginning of May to early September. All matches are played on a Saturday with a 1.00pm start (12.30pm at the end of the season).

Each match consists of 100 overs with the side that bats first allowed a maximum of 53 overs. If the batting side declares or is all out before 53 overs then the side batting second has more overs to bat - such that 100 overs are bowled in total in the day. This is not limited overs cricket and the result can be a draw. A winning side gets an automatic 30 points and it is possible for a losing side to get up to 20 bonus points for batting and bowling performances as can be the case in drawn matches as well

New Players

The Club exists to provide exercise and friendship for all who have been at the School and enjoy the game of cricket. A warm welcome is therefore assured and, if you are interested in joining a friendly and ambitious cricket club, your first port of call should be Sami Ali (see below for his details).

Club Details and Officers

Old Haberdashers' Cricket Club,
Croxdale Road,
Borehamwood,
Herts WD6 4PY
Telephone: 020 8953 1987 Web site: www.oldhabs.hitscricket.com

League: The Hertfordshire League Web site: www.hertsleague.co.uk

Divisions: 5 and 9

Officers