A much-travelled cricket club, now based at Dulwich Sports Ground, is looking for new members who want “fun and joy” with their cricket.
Ploughmans Cricket Club (PCC) says it is made up of players and friends from all over the world with a mixture of cultures and backgrounds.
They play cricket on Saturdays and Sundays from late April through September. Their first fixture of 2021, at home against Battersea Ironsides, is due to take place on Saturday (17 April). The 2nd XI plays another local club, Dulwich, the following week.
Ploughmans CC now play in the Surrey Cricket League premier division after winning the second division in 2018 and the first division in 2019.
The league has a one-day format with 45 overs each and the winner is the team with the most runs.
“It works well. We take it seriously and it’s very competitive, but we always have a laugh,” says PCC’s Ash Paul.
Sundays are for friendly fixtures – a mixed bag of games that can be 35 or 40 overs.
“It’s played in good spirits and we play at some incredibly beautiful grounds in and around London,” says Ash.
“We have played against a lot of our Sunday opponents for many years and so we have some history and friendly rivalries.”
The club believes strongly in welcoming experienced and aspiring players of all skill and experience levels.
It has some very talented cricketers right through to people who have never played the game before.
“We are also one club and one big group, regardless of cricketing ability.
“The majority of league players play lots of friendly fixtures throughout the season as well,” Ash says.
The club has outdoor net sessions on Thursdays at the beautiful Dulwich Sports Ground, which also boasts cheap jugs of beer.
The club also organises socials through the year, an annual overseas tour and pre-season nets at the Oval and Lord’s.
Formed in 1982 by a group of friends, the club got its current name from its headquarters at The Plough, in Southall, West London.
It has never compromised its fun-at-all-costs and all-for-one spirit – “The Ploughmans Ethos”.
It won Division 6 of the Middlesex championship in 2003 – PCC’s only piece of silverware until 2018.
Decline in the quality of its council-run ground in Southall saw moves to Harrow and then back to West London at Gunnersbury Park near Brentford.
But Gunnersbury went the same way as the Southall pitch and PCC found itself looking for a new home as well as a new league, having tired of the Middlesex Championship format.
Surrey Cricket League accepted the club at its first attempt.
With the location of its new league, and the vast majority of members living South of the river, the club found a new home at Dulwich Sports Ground.
Contact PCC for more information
