SCC has been in existence since 1874 when the field behind the current village hall was levelled, drained and the square prepared and sown. The Club has played continuously, with brief breaks during the two World Wars. Playing members in 1874 included some well-known Sibford names: Shelswell, Pettipher, Poulton, Rimell, Bishop, Woolgrove, and Lamb. Playing and non-playing honorary members raised £4.10s.0d in subscriptions. Expenses, including 3 days of ground works, 2 new bats, a set of bails and 4 second-hand balls, amounted to £3.4s.0d. – the Club were in credit! During the 1950’s two sides were regularly fielded during the playing season. However, following the building of the village hall, and the loss of some of the ground, the club has had to play on various different sites around Banbury including Sibford School where the team currently play their home games. 

The original cricket pavilion at Sibford School was built on Braithwaite field (now known as the Piece) in the late 1880’s. In 1960 the Old Scholars built a new pavilion on the current site in memory of a former Headmaster, James T Harrod, a keen sportsman who led the school from 1906-1930. This pavilion served well for over 60 years. In recent years, Sibford Cricket Club helped with its external maintenance but the facilities became outdated. It was finally demolished and replaced by a new, modern, wooden pavilion which was first used by SCC at the end of the 2021/22 playing season. The photograph featured this month was taken by Stuart Ralph and shows the new pavilion and club members at a home game. 

When the Banbury Cricket League folded in the early 1990’s, Sibford Cricket Club joined the South Northants Cricket League and were placed third in the second tier of this league in the current 2023 season. 

The Club used to be sponsored by the Bishop Blaize Inn where photographs of past teams hung proudly on the pub walls. The Club is now grateful for its sponsorship by the Wykham Arms pub, where they will hold their annual cricket dinner soon.

Maureen Hicks