Memorial cricket match held for Petersfield’s former Southern League stalwart Jim Smallbone

A memorial match was held on what would have been the 72nd birthday of Petersfield CC legend Jim Smallbone.
By Mike Vimpany
Published 24th Jun 2022, 11:42 GMT
The two teams at the Jim Smallbone memorial match at Petersfield CC. Picture by Rob Allerston.The two teams at the Jim Smallbone memorial match at Petersfield CC. Picture by Rob Allerston.
The two teams at the Jim Smallbone memorial match at Petersfield CC. Picture by Rob Allerston.

Smallbone, who passed away last year, played for the club for over four decades and also represented England Seniors against Australia.

He took 300 wickets for Petersfield in the old Southern League - bowling slow left arm - and at various times was the groundsman, maintenance man and teas-maker at the club. Such was his devotion, the club might even have folded at one point but for Smallbone’s work.

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Smallbone spent a number of years coaching and running Colts sides at Petersfield and in the 1990s he managed the very successful Hampshire Cricket Association and Cricket Board sides that went onto win the national championship against Staffordshire.

Seniors batsman Mark Jackson with Jason Fenn behind the stumps. Picture: Rob Allerston.Seniors batsman Mark Jackson with Jason Fenn behind the stumps. Picture: Rob Allerston.
Seniors batsman Mark Jackson with Jason Fenn behind the stumps. Picture: Rob Allerston.
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The memorial match on the Heath was a friendly between Smallbone’s former team-mates at Petersfield and a Hampshire Seniors side.

The 35-over match saw the hosts chase 160 to win by five wickets with good contributions from Rob Norris (Harting), Jason Fenn (Middlesex Seniors), Graham Hughes (Steep) and Justin Jordan.

For the Seniors, Dave Elliott (Liphook) top-scored.

Related topics:Southern LeagueSeniorsEnglandAustralia