The Lawn (Map link)
Newton Tracey
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 3PJ

 

Newton Tracey Cricket Club is affiliated to the Devon Cricket Association. We are members of The North Devon Holiday Homes League and the North Devon Colts League. We have two sides in the North Devon Cricket League (Division 1 & Division 5) Three Colts teams and a large pool of other players that just play friendlies. We were established in 1970 and play at a beautiful ground in the village of Newton Tracey near Barnstaple.

History

Newton Tracey Cricket Club was formed in around 1969 mainly on the instigation of two people - Arthur Gear and Peter Lake, both sadly no longer with us.
It is believed that one or two informal matches had been played in the preceding years, starting in around 1965, but it was not until the end of the decade that moves were made to set up a club on a formal basis.

Peter Lake had played for several clubs in the area and asked his good friend Arthur Gear about the prospect of starting a club in the village. As a result, a meeting was held at the Hunters Inn to try and get as many players as possible to sign up.
There was a good response, and it was agreed initially that the club should be founded purely for people living in the parishes of Horwood, Lovacott, Newton Tracey and Tawstock. Only in later years were 'outsiders' brought in.

With the help of other clubs who donated them old kit, the first official match was an evening game against Grenville Gremlins on May 7, 1970, which they lost by three wickets. The club's first mention in the North Devon Journal was on May 21 that year, reporting on a 67-run defeat against Goodleigh.
Later that year the field which is still the club's ground, The Lawn at Newton Cross, was purchased by Alfons Hollenstein, a Swiss-American living in California, on a 'lord of the manor' arrangement. He rented the field out to local farmer and club member Frank Thorne, who in turn allowed the club to use it. That arrangement has continued ever since.

The playing square was somewhat dangerous to play on in early years, and several low team totals were recorded - so eventually part of the square was dug up and relaid. Since then much hard work from club members has gradually improved it to the extent that it is now one of the best in North Devon.
In the beginning, players used to change and have teas in a garage next to the current pavilion, brewing their tea on a boiler borrowed from the old Stoney Cross football team. But that all changed in 1972 when the club acquired its first pavilion, a beach chalet from Saunton. The club got it for nothing on condition that they collected it themselves!

An extension was built in 1980 together with the installation of a septic tank, but the pavilion gradually became the worse for wear and in 1990, it was demolished and the current pavilion built in its place, with spacious dressing rooms and a tea area.
The club began by just playing afternoon and evening friendly matches, but in 1978 they joined the North Devon League. Two years earlier, they began playing indoor cricket for the first time during the winter at North Devon College.

1981 saw the formation of an under 16 colts team, with other junior age groups following in due course.
The club's playing strength increased to the extent that in 1994, they began fielding a second team, who joined the North Devon League two years later.
The club also runs its own six-a-side competition, which has been held annually since 1977, and a golf competition which is now played for the Arthur Gear Trophy.
 

The club has spent most of its season in Division Two, which they won in 1995. The Division Three title was secured in 1992, and the League Cup  in 1998.
The second team won promotion from Division Five in 1999, while league success for the under 13 side came in 1990. Indoors, the club won the League Cup in 1988. More to come.......