Welcome to Henfield Cricket Club, formed in 1771, one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world. On these pages and on our ECB play-cricket site, you will find everything you need to know about playing and enjoying cricket at Henfield. For the 2021 season we have three Men's Saturday league teams competing in the Sussex Cricket League.
Our 1st XI in Division 3 West, 2nd XI in Division 8 West and 3rd XI in Division 11 Central (South). Our Women's 1st XI play in the Sussex Cricket Foundation Women's 35 over league and the SCF T20 competition. We also have a thriving Colts section for young cricketers with age groups from U9 through to U15 age groups in the SCB South Area League.
Our 1st XI in Division 3 West, 2nd XI in Division 8 West and 3rd XI in Division 11 Central (South). Our Women's 1st XI play in the Sussex Cricket Foundation Women's 35 over league and the SCF T20 competition. We also have a thriving Colts section for young cricketers with age groups from U9 through to U15 age groups in the SCB South Area League.
Services
The earliest reference to Henfield cricket is in the diary of Thomas Marchant of Hurstpierpoint. The Sackville Papers of 1745 provide us with Henfield's first named cricketer - 'Martin of Henfield played for Sussex against Surrey at Berry Hill.'
In 1771 Henfield played Lewes in the first home-and-away fixture, which was followed in the same year with games against Coulsdon in Surrey - the first time that Henfield played outside the county of Sussex.In July of that same year we have the firsdt Henfield scorecard. The record of matches continues through the years, the Club's fortunes fluctuating with the social history of the age.
In 1771 Henfield played Lewes in the first home-and-away fixture, which was followed in the same year with games against Coulsdon in Surrey - the first time that Henfield played outside the county of Sussex.In July of that same year we have the firsdt Henfield scorecard. The record of matches continues through the years, the Club's fortunes fluctuating with the social history of the age.
Henfield cricket club, founded in 1771, is not only one of the oldest clubs in the world; it is one of the more important in terms of the development of the game. At various times, the club has been one of the most powerful around, and has also had its very survival in question.
This short history is intended to give a brief overview of the club's history, its place in Sussex cricket, and the most recent developments as we seek to thrive as a modern, 21st century club.Although the club's inception is taken as being 1771, it is clear that the real story begins much earlier than that, in the late 17th or early 18th century.
This short history is intended to give a brief overview of the club's history, its place in Sussex cricket, and the most recent developments as we seek to thrive as a modern, 21st century club.Although the club's inception is taken as being 1771, it is clear that the real story begins much earlier than that, in the late 17th or early 18th century.
The Pavilion in its present state has become an iconic landmark to most Henfield players and residents. The distinctive frontage with its triangular shaped clock area in the middle long covered porch and bench seating stretching along the total length, is loved by cricketers and spectators alike, resulting in the pavilion retaining its old world charm which is so very much in keeping with the club's long history.
One of the host of Henfield-born and bred players to play regularly for both club and county in the mid-nineteenth century, Penikett is notable for scoring what was probably the first Henfield century. Along with many of the players of this period, his life is largely unknown, though we do know that he was a master hairdresser with premises in the High Street.
Henfield CC Colts caters for players of all abilities from the age of 5 upwards, and both boys and girls are welcome to join the Club. For general enquiries, please contact Tammy Garmston, the Club's Colts Liaison officer, at coltsliaison@henfieldcricketclub.com or Nick Bandy, the colts manager, at colts@henfieldcricketclub.com.
