The first organised Cricket at BMS began in 1883 largely thanks to Dick Rogers, the Cricket coach at the time as it was he who converted waste land on Clarenden Street into a recognisable sports field. Cricket was played before this date but was rather a haphazard affair. On Dick?s retirement in 1926, his son, ?fiddy? continued to assist in running cricket until his death in 1947 aged 94.
BMS is fortunate to boast many outstanding cricketers who went on to play 1st class cricket. There was A. J. Turner who played for Essex in the 1880s. Then there was the legendary A. O. Jones, who went on to captain Nottinghamshire and England in Tests against Australia in 1907/8. In his career he scored 34 1st class centuries. Others include F. C. W. Newman ( Surrey) and H. L. V. Day (Hampshire) but the best of them all, according to the aforementioned Dick Rogers, was N. D. T. Oliver. Then there was R. D. Richmond who represented Jamaica 1897-1924, R. A. Gale (Middlesex), E. D. Dynes and M. D. Pugh who both went on to play for the MCC on tours to India.
In the post war period there is P. D. Watts who played for Northants from 1959-1966 and P. J. Kippax ( Yorkshire). Then there was Andy Fordham who played for Northants in the 80s. It was he who captained BMS to their most notable victory to date when they won the Lords Taverners’ Trophy in 1980, beating Rugby School in the final at Edgbaston. G. Millman? (Nottinghamshire) also played two tests for England in 1961/62. In the 1980s we have N. Stanley (Northants) who holds the school record of the most runs scored in a season – 1,116. Also P. Owen (Gloucestershire) who holds the record for highest total of wickets for the 1st team – 154 wickets spread over 3 years.
Finally, we come to Monty Panesar, who has become a true iconic figure in world Cricket. Who will be the next BMS pupil to get his name on the roll of honour?
Directions
Directions to Bedford Modern School can be found at www.bedmod.co.uk/directions_to_school.html.
Further information on Bedford Modern School can be found at www.bedmod.co.uk.