Blackheath 1964 - 1984: Andy Hooper's version

"I think I joined the Club in 1969 but played regularly from 1970. In 1971 we won the National Club Knock-out, beating Ealing at Lords.

In my opinion it was an average side - Eric Marsh and David Laycock were good openers and Chris Swadkin was an excellent No. 3. Otherwise the batting was average club cricketers. The bowling centred very much around myself and Mike Olton, a talented all-rounder at that time, supported by a good keeper Alex Clarke. In the National final all the bowlers bowled well, with Theo Toppin having "one of those days" and grabbing 5 wickets.

In 1973 we joined the Kent League and performed well throughout. Chris Swadkin captained the side in the early Kent League years. In 1974 I captured a record 54 wickets in the league, before official records were maintained. In 1976 the Club won the Bertie Joel Trophy, beating Barclays Bank at Southgate. This was a better balanced side in the that the batting had more flair but centred around the stability of Swadkin, Graeme Clinton and Dave Willis. The bowling had a lot of variety Deddis Williams, Bruno William, two medium pacers, Simon Dyson and Neil Clinton, but still dependent on spin from Mike Oulton and I.

We had a string of successes in the National Cup competition, reaching the last 16 on 8 occasions (I think !) and we started to be more consistent in the Kent League. We started to attract quality players like John Kilbee, Roger Moulding, Rob Price, Rupert Hill, Arvind Panchesara, Tony Clinton. Not all these players but some plus Swadkin and myself, Oulton occasionally and the others managed to win the league in 1982. I have no records of that achievement but it was a good side. In 1981 we again reached the National Cup final at Lords. In my opinion this side was the best to date. PeterWallace was one of our colts, Paul Humn was another youngster as was John Fowler. The bowling was good - Rice, Hill, Oulton and I plus Shepherd. On the day we bowled Scarborough out for 157 but we batted poorly, as our youngsters froze on the big day and we lost.

In 1984 the Club had the probably the best team and team spirit. The whole side could bat, we fielded well and bowled as a unit. At the time we won the league by a record number of points.

My best 11 players from the period would be:

C Swadkin, J Kilbee, R Moulding, D Willis, D Laycock, M Oulton, R Rice, R Hill, A Panchesara, A Clinton, A Hooper

This side would win the Kent Premier League every year.

Arguably we under achieved in the 15 years but we did win 5 trophies and were regional winners several times. They were great times for a great club."

(Andy Hooper moved to Hampshire in 1984 - and continued take wickets for Andover in league cricket for several years - ed)