“The Cradle of Cricket”

Hambledon cricket legend Robert ‘Topsy’ Turner has been awarded the Southern Premier League’s Tony Baker ‘Unsung Hero’ award in recognition of his staggering contribution to the historic village club.

A still youthful 82, Topsy has spent his entire cricket career at Hambledon, over 50 years of which were as an opening batsman and miserly off-spin bowler – with statistics that simply boggle the mind.

Without doubt Hambledon’s greatest all-rounder in the club’s long history, he was among the Hampshire League’s leading aggregate run scorers and wicket takers in the club’s title strewn climb through the pyramid which began in 1980.

Turner scored over 30,000 runs and captured 3,500 or so wickets in all Hambledon cricket before a knee injury brought his illustrious career to an end in 2006.

In the Seventies and Eighties, Turner achieved the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 12 out of 14 seasons, and in 11 years from 1972 had amassed 13,641 runs with the same trusty old GM bat, which must have been one of the most productive in the world!

His Hambledon clubmates once sent the bat off for repairs, only for it to be returned marked ‘unrepairable’. Topsy went on to get another 2,000 runs with it. For him, read ‘irreplaceable’.

He's been at the club for 68 years and since the 1980s has also served as groundsman, and can still be found first thing nearly every morning throughout the summer preparing pitches or the outfield, supported by wife Sue, who keeps the clubhouse tidy and well-presented.

In the off-season, Topsy will often be found with a paintbrush, sprucing up the changing rooms or pavilion.

“In short, the club would be lost without him,” reflected Hambledon secretary Seb Duggan.

“Many around the club probably do not appreciate how much hard work Topsy puts into the ground, and how much he will be missed when he finally retires from it.

“And nearly 70 years devoted to the same club is worthy of hero status in anyone's book and that's why he's an ideal recipient of the Tony Baker ‘Unsung Hero’ award.”

Robert ‘Topsy’ Turner is the second recipient of the Tony Baker award, which is presented annually, in memory of the late Tony Baker, the former Hampshire Chief Executive and Old Tauntonians all-rounder, who died in 2017 having dedicated his life to cricket and was massively involved in club and county cricket in Hampshire.

Burridge stalwart Gerry Candy, also an Octogenarian, was the inaugural award winner in 2022.

Many thanks to Mike Vimpany for allowing us to reproduce this article.

The 1st XI on Saturday made a return to winning form with a 109-run victory over New Milton.

The Dons posted a total of 338 for 5 from their 50 overs, built on a 228 run opening partnership between Chris Pratt and George Marshall, who was first to fall for 81. The opening stand of 228 is the highest in recent memory.

Chris went on to score 151 from 137 balls, including 24 fours and 2 sixes. Further contributions from Justin Behrens (51) and Will Parvin (24 not out) set a target for New Milton which was always going to be challenging. A four-wicket hall from Behrens, and wickets also for Dan Mugford, Ollie Bembridge and Ian Turner saw the visitors all out for 233, and a welcome win for the Dons after a run of losses.

Earlier in the day, Hambledon Youth player Seb Rowland received his 1st team cap, still a few weeks short of his 15th birthday. Although not called upon to bat, Seb kept wicket with great maturity, taking two catches and one stumping.

The 1sts will be hoping to build on this win this weekend as they host Ventnor at the Ridge...

Hambledon Cricket Club is delighted that former chairman David Mills has kindly agreed to become an Honorary Life Vice President of the club, in recognition of all his hard work as Chairman and his dedication to cricket in Hambledon.

David is a successful local businessman whose sons played for Hambledon. David said: “I am very pleased to join the esteemed body of Hambledon Vice Presidents. May I wish all the teams, from the youngest to the senior sides, great success in the season ahead.”
 
Current Chairman Mark Le-Clercq, who took over from David in 2011, said:

“At Hambledon Cricket Club, we have a long and distinguished history, going back all the way to the 1750s as the ‘cradle of Cricket’. It is important that we recognise previous Chairmen for their service to Hambledon and to the wider cricket community.”

Hambledon’s first century of the season was scored on Saturday by 14-year-old Lockie Mann, making his senior league debut, and setting up an unlikely victory for Jon Bridgman’s 4th XI in their first match.

With the team having struggled throughout the week even to field eleven players, things didn’t look good at the interval with Burridge 5ths having posted a daunting 228 for 3 from their 40 overs – quite a target at Broadhalfpenny Down!

Coming in at the fall of the third wicket, Lockie partnered first with skipper Jon Bridgman (30), and later with Stu Sheppard (38*), and reached 104 before being bowled just short of the target. But he’d done enough, and Stu Sheppard and Ian Craig were able to see the side home to victory with 2 wickets and 4 balls to spare.

The future looks bright for Lockie, who follows in the footsteps of brother Oscar, who scored two centuries last season in the 2nds, and dad David, who also scored a ton for the 2nds.

Well done to Jonty Oliver, whose performances with bat and ball in the preliminary round of the Village Cup last week earned him the title of Player of the Round.

The 112-run victory over Bramshaw saw Jonty make 45 from 37 balls, before wrapping the game up with 5-21 from 6.2 overs to clean up Bramshaw’s lower order.

Hambledon’s total had previously been set up by James Marshall with 65, and Henry Glanfield with 48, to post a total of 218 – which was always going to be a tough chase on a soft early-April wicket.

The victory sees Hambledon hosting Hursley Park in a round one clash at the Ridge on Sunday. Come along and give your support!