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The Washington Cricket Club: an institution in Belsize Park
The Washington Cricket Club was founded in 1973 at the Washington Arms in Englands Lane, For many years one long wall of the bar hosted an impressive glass-fronted cabinet containing the club’s ‘treasures’ and memorabilia.
That time has now long gone, but the club hasn't only endured, the original spirit in which its founders wished to play cricket persists. ‘The Wash’, as the club is affectionately known, play competitive social cricket.
Some mighty good players have graced the team over the years, and the Wash always play to win, but the club has never lost sight of the fact that cricket is ultimately a recreation.
The Club has never been tempted by the prospect of league cricket, and adheres to the central principle that everyone who turns out is entitled to a share of the sport. The Club plays 20-25 games per season and plays ‘home’ games at the North Middlesex CC ground in Crouch End.
Away matches take the team all over London, out into Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and down in to Hampshire and Kent. Some fixtures are of long-standing – 20 or even 30 years – which adds an edge to the occasion!
And then there are the tours. Each autumn – normally in October – a Wash team goes out to play some friendly cricket and grab a little last-minute sun in Europe. Recent tours have visited Portugal, Malta, the South of France and Croatia where there are always teams of ex-pats on hand to provide decent opposition.
The Club is always looking for new friends, new opponents and new players of all abilities and ages who enjoy cricket in the same way we do. As well as the full season of summer games, we have nets at Lord’s during the winter, and an active social life - both at the Wash and further afield – throughout the year.
If you are interested joining, or simply wish to learn more about this unique Belsize institution, please visit www.washingtoncc.org. There you will find contact details, a more detailed history of the club, together with reports of our games and the all-important averages.
Alternatively, you can get a flavour of the team in action by visiting our YouTube channel where short videos of recent games are posted.
The Washington Cricket Club, 2017
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