Brighton Gazette - Thursday 21 July 1842

CUCKFIELD, An interesting and well-contested game of cricket was played here on Wednesday, the 13th instant, between eleven boys of the Cuckfield Juvenile Club, and eleven of Twineham, which was decided in favour of the Cuckfield lads by six runs.

The bowling and play of several of the “young uns’’ afforded much gratification to the lovers of the game, and elicited much praise and commendation, especially in favour of Parker Anscombe, the son of our skilful bowler. Anscombe, who, although quite a child, astonished the party by his activity and scientific bowling; he bids fair to become a first-rate hand at the game as his strength increases.

Young Watson and Davey, from Twineham, played admirably, and the bowling of Comber, on the Cuckfield side, was applauded. This was the return match, and our boys have been victorious in both instances, although they had their work to do, the first game being decided in their favour by only 4 runs.

A circumstance happened during the play on Wednesday, which redounded much to the credit and good feeling of the boys, The “passing bell” gave notice of a funeral approaching the church yard, which adjoins the cricket ground, and the lads immediately stopped their play ; and when the coffin was brought to the grave, they stood reverently and uncovered around the remains of one, who had been their companion, and who was called away to an early grave. And when the obsequies were performed, and the mourners had departed, the cricketers returned silently to their game with decorum and propriety.