Members' Story of the Week

20th July 1985, Benson and Hedges Cup Final at Lords.

I must have watched many thousands of hours of Cricket at Grace Road over the last 50 years. I have lived in South Leicestershire for all of that time, apart from University and a few months working in Newcastle in 1985. Coming home for the Cup Final that year felt special as it was my first game of the year. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

It was also the only time my father, mother and brother (Club Historian, Richard Holdridge) all went to a cup final together. We got the train from Rugby. This was delayed, meaning we missed the first few balls. We hadn’t won a trophy since 1977 and wouldn’t win another until 1996, so for club stalwarts Nigel Briers and Jonathon Agnew this was to be their only winners medal.

Essex were marginal favourites with Graham Gooch and Ken McEwan daunting batters and Lever, Foster, Pringle and Turner all reliable fast / medium bowlers.

The day was warm and sunny after an early shower. We won the toss and Essex were held to 213. We were happy with that. The pressure grew when we batted. David Gower made 43 but fell to a sharp catch. Peter Willey kept going and when we seemed in trouble, Mike Garnham (my favourite player of the time, for reasons I can’t quite remember) came in and knocked the ball around. We won with 3 overs to spare.

In those days it was perfectly acceptable to go on the pitch after play finished, so I ran across the hallowed turf, from our seats at the Nursery End (where the Compton stand is now) to stand in front of the pavilion to watch the golden haired Gower, lift the golden trophy.

I remember we all sat for a while in Regent’s Park on our way back to the station, enjoying the evening sunshine and reflecting on a happy day.

- Peter Holdridge