The cricket scene appears to have been flourishing when it is said this first photograph (above) was taken of the gentlemen of the Findon Cricket Club team c. 1889. The backcloth is the cricket pitch at Kennel Bottom beneath Church Hill.  N. Church was the scorer.

The names of some of the keen players of the day are that of Henry Walls; Ernest Winton (who was assistant telegraphist at his father's premises in the Square); W. Kinchett; Albert Short Junior of Findon Farm (who became assistant overseer and Clerk to the Parish Council and lived on School Hill); Arthur Hampton (son of Findon sheep farmer George Hampton); his brother, Henry Hampton, auctioneer and valuer, and the team's Captain; B. Arthers; A. Pesket. The umpire on the day was L. Boniface.     I am not sure which name fits which face!   The only player I know for certain is Albert Short Junior of Findon Farm and he is standing second from the right (no hat and jacket open).  

I think cricket appears then to have taken a downward turn in the village soon after this. The parochial magazine made a terse reference to cricket in 1890 —

Arthur Hampton the Findon cricketer was never to forget Wednesday, 5th November that year of 1890. He was enjoying watching the Guy Fawkes celebrations "from a balcony" in the village when during the process of the revelries, a Roman candle hit him in the eye. The result being that he lost the sight of that eye, and it is assumed his cricket career as well.

The year 1896 was reported to be a quiet season at Kennel Bottom. The Findon team only played six cricket matches in the following year, 1897. The young men in the village had gone to the war, which was brewing with the Boers of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic in South Africa.

By 1898, due to the trouble in South Africa, the Kennel Bottom cricket ground was deserted and left to the roaming sheep.

Continue if you would like to read about Findon's Grand Gala Match of 1892.