On April 29th, 1956, Outwood played a staggering match against Hurst Green. Batting first, OCC) scored just 47 runs. J Chapman top-scored with 13, and after a promising opening partnership of 18, Outwood collapsed to 19-4, then 22-5, before a stand of 14 was eclipsed by the final 5 wickets falling for 11 runs. Despite the low total, Outwood's bowlers rose to the challenge. P Reilly and L Thompson were the only two bowlers required, with Reilly picking up 7 wickets for 8 runs and Thompson taking the other 3 wickets. Hurst Green could only reach 19, with their highest scorer making just 5 runs. This first recorded game at The Wood was truly astonishing!

UK Number 1 Single: "No Other Love" by Ronnie Hilton.
UK Sporting Fact: On this day, Manchester United won the First Division title for the 1955-56 season, defeating Blackpool 2-1. The goals were scored by Dennis Viollet and Tommy Taylor[2].
News: On April 29, 1956, the UK witnessed the launch of the first commercial nuclear power station at Calder Hall in Cumbria.

Outwood vs. Boughton Monchelsea Cricket Club - April 26th, 1986

On April 26th, 1986, Outwood played a home game against Boughton Monchelsea Cricket Club at The Wood, which was described as very wet with fair overhead conditions. BMCC batted first, and an unusual scorecard followed. For ten of their players, 20 was the highest score, with one other making double figures, while the other eight players scored 19 between them, including four ducks. However, P Bowles scored 128 not out amidst the calamities experienced by his teammates at the other end, ensuring that the visitors posted 182 all out. J Senneck started the season with a 5-wicket haul, while the other wickets were shared by R Vicars, D Saunders, and R Waller. It took Outwood 46.3 overs to chase down the required total to secure a 3-wicket victory. R Vicars did the bulk of the work with an unbeaten 81, with Marshall, Cox, and Kane all contributing scores in the 20s. So, a win to commence the '86 season.

UK Number 1 Single: "A Different Corner" by George Michael.
UK Sporting Fact: On this day, the 1986 World Snooker Championship was underway at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with Joe Johnson eventually winning the title[3].
News: On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred, with the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union exploding, leading to widespread radioactive contamination.

Outwood vs. Dormansland CC - April 23rd, 2005

On April 23rd, 2005, Outwood played a home pre-season friendly against Dormansland CC, which ended in a hard-fought draw. Outwood had the better of the match without ever looking like they would force the win. Batting first in a timed match, Outwood posted 198 from 40.1 overs. No Outwood batter made 30, but six scored in the twenties, including Mike Cleaver stranded on 29 and Tom Matthews with 23, while Dave Baldry just missed out on becoming a seventh Outwoodian with a score in the 20s when he was the first man out on 19. A young tyro opened the bowling, and unsurprisingly early wickets tumbled as Mike returned figures of 6 overs, 3 for 13. Phil Alexander and Tom Matthews also took wickets, but despite very tidy bowling, the Dormansland middle order 'dropped anchor' with S Hellier scoring 5 off 46 balls before D Whitford faced 34 balls before returning to the pavilion on 0 not out. So, a great start to the season from Mike, which he followed up with another wicket and a fifty the following weekend!

UK Number 1 Single: "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" by Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay.
UK Sporting Fact: On this day, the 2005 London Marathon took place, with Martin Lel of Kenya winning the men's race and Paula Radcliffe of the UK winning the women's race.
News: On April 23, 2005, YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the platform's first video, titled "Me at the zoo," marking the beginning of what would become a revolutionary video-sharing platform and which would ultimately lead to a Frogbox being installed at The Wood!

Stay tuned for more thrilling tales from our club's history, and if you have any memories or matches you'd like to share, please let James Malley know. If anyone would like a colour photocopy of one of Keith Barham's meticulously recorded matches, we would be happy to arrange that for you.

Let's celebrate our cricketing heritage together, one week at a time!