St.Cross Symondians Cricket Club - Formed 1992
Potted history
The main ground at St.Cross has been in use since 1872, first by the Rifle Brigade and since 1885
by the Green Jackets Club. On 1st, 2nd July 1875, St Cross hosted its only first class match
when Hampshire were defeated by Sussex by an innings and 27 runs.
The current club was formed in January 1992, an amalgamation between St.Cross C.C. and Old Symondian
Battery Ramblers. St.Cross C.C., one of the oldest clubs in Winchester was founded circa 1873
although current records are somewhat obscure as to the exact year. The club has always had
strong links with the Church of St Cross which is the landowner of the two grounds within the
parish. Apart from breaks caused by the 1st and 2nd World Wars and a temporary move during the
period 1906-1910, the club has always had its base at the picturesque grounds on the outskirts
of Winchester.
Old Symondians C.C. was formed in 1952 by, among others, Michael May then a Peter Symonds School
student. In the late 1960s, the club merged with Stanmore Ramblers and in 1989 a further
amalgamation took place with another local side, Olivers Battery, a club started in the late
1940's.
St Cross Symondians is now one of the largest cricket clubs in the county, fielding 4 senior
sides on Saturday as well as fulfilling numerous other fixtures. In addition the club runs one
of the most successful colts organisations in the region which culminated in the clubs U13 XI
finishing 4th in the Nat West National Competition in 1993 and its U15 XI being crowned Southern
Regional Champions in 1995.
Since 1992 the club has produced three players now with First Class Counties, John Francis and
James Adams (Hampshire) and Simon Francis (Somerset) all products of the clubs youth system.