1727 English cricket season

Articles of Agreement

The Articles of Agreement drawn up by the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodrick may have been the first instance of rules being formally agreed, although rules as such definitely existed and, as in the early days of football, would have been agreed orally and subject to local variations. The Articles themselves are the source for two matches played earlier in the 1727 season by Richmond's XI and Sir William Gage’s XI. One of the written conditions is "the Duke of Richmond to choose any Gamesters, who have played in either of His Grace's two last Matches with Sir William Gage". Nothing else is known about the two Richmond v Gage matches.

The first Richmond v Brodrick match was played in July, possibly at Peper Harow, as the Articles state: "the first Match shall be played some day of this instant July in the county of Surry". Peper Harow is mentioned: "Mr. Brodrick to choose any Gamesters within three Miles of Pepperhara (sic), provided they actually lived there last Lady Day". Peper Harow is about four miles from Godalming and was the home of the Brodrick family. There is a view that it was the venue of the match in July. The Articles then state: "the second match to be played in August next in the County of Sussex, the Place to be named by the Duke of Richmond". The chosen venue is unknown. Thomas Waymark is the only player mentioned in connection with either match.

Other events

Horace Walpole commented that cricket was already "common" at Eton College. This is the earliest reference to cricket being played both at Eton, and in the county of Berkshire.

A match was played at Cranbrook, Kent on Monday, 29 May between "14 old men of that town". The oldest, Richard Shefe, was 84. The match was to celebrate Restoration Day, also known as Oak Apple Day.

There was a game at Warehorne Green, near Ashford, Kent on Monday, 5 June that was arranged by George Baker, Esq. who is described as the General Receiver; and Thomas Hodges, Esq. The teams were Warehorne v Hawkshurst, and they played twelve-a-side.

Notes

References

Bibliography

References

1. "FC Matches in England in 1772". CricketArchive.
2. Wisden. (1948). "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack". Sporting Handbooks Ltd.