Downs walks Local stoolball story

Stoolball: Birth of Cricket?

by Carol Lintott, Chairperson, Midhurst Stoolball Club.

The game of Stoolball originated in Sussex, traditionally played by milkmaids who used their milking stools as a ‘wicket’. The earliest record of the game being played regularly dates from 1450 in Myrc’s ‘Instructions for Parish Priests’ in which he is “unequivocal in his abhorrence” of Stoolball being played in Churchyards.

Circa 1948

Back row - Left to right - Eileen Betts, Kathleen Luff, Olive Shrimpton, Bubbles Goodall, Eileen Ede, Dorothy Davis, Doris Miles Front Row - Left to right - Margaret Thorpe, Maureen Gumbrell, Ethel Brummell (Scorer), Margaret Luff, Jean Holford.

As this pre-dates cricket by a century or so, it could be said that stoolball is the mother of cricket, and Ben Stokes should be thankful for those ancient milkmaids!”

The game’s popularity has faded since the 1960s, but many town and village teams still play friendly matches against each other and at local league level across the South Downs. Most teams run an annual tournament where up to twelve teams are invited to play in two sections culminating in a final between the winners of each section.

It took a long time for the sport to be recognised nationally, a National Stoolball Association (now Stoolball England) was formed in 1979 to promote the game and the Sports Council officially listed Stoolball as a sport in 2008. (Not yet recognised as an Olympic sport!)

The Stoolball season runs from late April to September, is played on grass, and nowadays is more easily described as being a cross between rounders and cricket. Strikers score by hitting the ball into the field and running between the two wickets. The pitch has either a natural or a 90-yard diameter boundary, and is 16 yards long with two wickets. The bats are willow, with a round spliced face and a long,

sprung handle. The ball, similar to that used in rounders, is traditionally a small wooden ball, bound in string and covered in chamoix leather.

Each team consists of 11 players, with one team fielding and the other batting. Fielding positions are also similar to that of cricket, bowling is underarm from a bowling ‘crease’ 10 yards from the striker's wicket. The bowled ball reaches the striker on the full as in rounders rather than bouncing from the pitch as in cricket. Each over consists of eight balls during which the striker can be bowled, caught, run out or even bowled out ‘bodybefore-wicket’. Originally the milking stool must have been suspended from a tree branch, but now the ‘wicket’ itself is a square piece of wood at head or shoulder height fastened to a post, meaning that the striker doesn't have to stoop in an ungainly manner. There is no truth in the rumour that the Bristol Stool Chart is used in the sport.

The Midhurst Stoolball Club was formed by the late Ellen Bennett and Jean Forrest in 1921.

Circa 1955

Davis, Molly Betts, Eileen Ede, Olive Shrimpton, Margaret Thorpe Front Row - Left to right - Shirley Budd, Molly (Thorpe) Etherington, Joan Arnell, Mary (Stocker) West, Molly Bowen. Werry joined the club, and in 1933 took over County on many occasions. In later years she Eileen Ede, a member since 1934 took over as captain in 1947 until 1966, she also represented West Sussex.

Over the years, the club has had a long service tradition, the late Ethel Brummell was secretary for 25 years and Joan Arnell then held the same post for a further 25 years. Latterly Sandra Thorpe held the post of treasurer for 25 years.

The club is based at the Midhurst Sports Association at Cowdray Ruins Playing Fields where, between April-September, they play Monday and Wednesday evenings. The Club hold two tournaments contested by 10 or 12 teams, one for the club on the second Sunday in June and the ‘Dutton Cup’ which is played for the benefit of The Friends of The Midhurst Community Hospital on the second Sunday in September. The club is excited to be coming up to their centenary, which will be celebrated at the June Tournament in 2021.

During the winter, the club keep their eye in by competing in the Midhurst Indoor Stoolball League held on Sundays at the Grange Community Centre. The present captain is Katherine House and the Treasurer is Lily White. The Club has 20 senior members and two junior members who we hope will continue to play for many years to come.

New players are always welcome and anyone interestedcan contact Katherine House on: 07584 430086 or by

Back row - Left to right - Audrey Harper, Dorothy

The first known captain was Dolly Andrews, followed by Molly Hyland. In 1930 Gladys the captaincy until 1947. Gladys Werry was a most successful member, representing Sussex was President and Chairperson of the club. email:katherinehouse@hotmail.co.uk

June 2018 - a winning team

Back Row - Left to right - Sue (Lintott) Rutter, Anna Cheal, Elaine (Weller) West, Katherine House, Natalie Garnett, Vikki Gamblen, Michaela Fay. Middle Row - Left to right - Steph Hall, Sam Dean, Georgina Norgate, Jo Trussler. Front Row - Left to right - Laura Fordham, Abi (Costello) Angear, Lily White, Michaela Glue.