Touch Line Gossip2nd XI The 2nd XI was first started in the '30s. Exactly when is obscure. Two well-known members of the then ist XI deny its existence before 1951. Two others claim to have played for it regularly most of the 30s. Indeed one of them has such vivid memories (see Douglas Thorne's article) that it cannot all be a figment of his imagination. It was started again in 1951 with a struggle. It kept going on a minimum of available members until the sudden expansion of the club from 1956.
In its early days the 2nd XI, both before and after 1939-45 has had curious experiences on the field. One is a glorious memory for Bertie Todd, now President of Berkhamsted Cricket Club. He played half a season in 1938 in goal for the 2nd. Particularly memorable was a match against a now defunct team, Ballito Hosiery of St. Albans; their side was short of a goalkeeper. At half-time Berkhamsted led 13-0, Bertie not having touched the ball. He was lent to Ballito for the second half. At no-side Berkhamstcd had won 27-0, Bertie still not having touched the ball.
In the early '50s, Norman Hart for a season and Gordon Paton for several led the 2nd, except for part of a year when a keen young man was elected Captain at the A.G.M., played a few matches and disappeared for good, with his sub for the previous season still owing. Fortunately such defaulters have been very few.
Norman Hart is still playing while Gordon Paton retired from Captain of the 5th last year having cheerfully led the 3rd and the 4th through his descent. This doesn't quite equal the case of the member who played for all five Xl's and the Sunday side in one season. UMPIRES Umpires have been described as the 'jewels of hockey'. Many players will not agree with this dictum. Whatever we may say about them, it cannot be denied that the B.H.C. has been very well served by its umpires. Sidney Tanner blew regularly in the '30s, Reg Wiltshire for ten years after the war, followed by Sandy Such and Jim Warhurst; since then, Sandy has reached the ultimate step on the umpires ladder and received his International whistle. Both he and Jim have been of immense assistance in the recent growth of the club with their advice both off the field and in committee. In the lower Xl's we are fortunate in having several former members who are prepared to stand even though some of them still prefer to run about as players. GRAHAM JACKSON & GERRY ROBERTSON We are perhaps rather greedy in claiming Graham Jackson as our man but we did put him up for his county trial long before he moved to Dulwich. He has played many matches for Herts and the East and a few years ago reached a Final England trial. No one quite knows how he missed his blue at Oxford. Many of us saw him play his full part as Vice-Captain to Cohn Akers in the county side which won the Championship at St. Albans in 1960. That match will live in the memory of those who saw it, particularly Cohn's winning goal.
Last year Gerry Robertson, who played inside-forward for Scotland in recent years, joined the club, bringing with him welcome and much needed experience in the forward line.
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