History of Bucks CCC

own towels,” Chris Parry explains, and it was ironical that any aspect of the hospitality at Chesham should have been criticised because the warmth of welcome to visiting teams with Jack Mash around had always been legendary. “A wonderful man,” says Robin Peppiatt of a colleague who served over 20 years with him on the county committee. “Jack used to captain them and he’d have been rolling the pitch in the morning then after the match he’d be the one packing everything away. Then it would be ‘What are you all having to drink?’ to his team, who’d done damn all to help!” Somewhat disenchanted by the visitors’ attitude, Bucks made no serious attempt at the target Hampshire had set, but the newly signed Ron Hooker, with 65, valiantly strove to bat out the overs as bouncers were fired at the tailenders. “Ten minutes after the match they were all gone,” says Chris Parry, “and their captain didn’t even say good-bye.” Only two championship matches were won in 1970, but first innings points were earned in each of the four games that were lost enabling Bucks to finish eighth, not quite good enough for another tilt at the Gillette. The arrival of Ron Hooker, who had retired after a first-class career with 300 games for Middlesex, brought valuable experience to the Bucks team. Engaged as a professional for the county, he topped the averages in his first year and his solid batting, steady medium-pace bowling and friendly advice were to serve Bucks well for another six years. 1970 was also the one substantial season for Richard Bray, an Old Rugbeian later to become a circuit judge. His stylish batting brought 601 runs at 40.07 and he was also a valuable slip fielder. The captain had his most productive year with 47 wickets, while Colin Lever, playing in just five matches, was now at his peak as a bowler. “He was a far better bowler than his brother, who played for England,” his captain insists. “He never bowled a bad ball and he attacked the batsman the whole time.” Lever’s 31 wickets at 8.52 earned him the honour of becoming the first holder of the Frank Edwards Trophy. Presented by Bucks in memory of their greatest bowler, who had died that year, the trophy is awarded each year to the minor counties bowler with the best average. Coming six years after Lever had taken the batting award, his achievement remains a unique double in the annals of minor counties cricket. The following summer Ray Bond ensured that the Frank Edwards Trophy remained in local hands. An economical bowler with a fast arm action, he skidded the ball through at a good pace and could move it in either direction. His 34 wickets, taken at only 10.44, played a crucial part in ensuring that Bucks would be in the Gillette draw for 1972, but qualification only came after a dramatic victory at Amersham in the penultimate match of a season in which the team had been beset by injuries. After trailing Bedfordshire by 137 on first innings, Bucks hauled themselves back into the game thanks to fine bowling by John Mills, recalled after an absence of eight years. Needing 227 to win against the clock, the hero of the hour was Bill Atkins, whose 73 steered his side to a three wicket win in what had supposedly been his hundredth championship appearance for the county – it was actually his 104 th match – for which he had been presented with a silver salver at the start of play. 77 Gillette Cup excitement: Chris Parry & David Mackintosh Ron Hooker