By the 1731 English cricket season, match reports were much more common and tended to contain more detail, sometimes including the names of patrons and players. There is consequently much more available information about the 1730s than previously. There were 26 known matches in 1731.

The most dramatic match of the season was the one at Richmond Green

Richmond Green

Richmond Green is a recreation area located near the centre of Richmond, which is a town of about twenty thousand inhabitants situated in south west London. The green is essentially square in shape and its open grassland, framed with broadleaf trees, extends to roughly twelve acres...

 on 23 August. It ended in a riot and it is believed the Duke of Richmond

Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond

The 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...

 conceded defeat after the match was originally declared a draw. But most significant of all is that it is the earliest match for which the team totals were recorded and have been preserved, rather than simply who won the wager.

Matches

Date	Match Title	Venue	Result
31 May (M)	London London Cricket Club The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:...  v Sevenoaks	Kennington Common	result unknown
Advance notice was given of this game and the one below, both at the same venue.
1 June (Tu)	London v Chelsfield (Kent)	Kennington Common	London won
Played in the evening for 30 guineas and won by the London London Cricket Club The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:...  team by great odds.
5 June (S)	London v Dartford Dartford Cricket Club Dartford Cricket Club is one of the oldest in England and its origins go back to the early 18th century, perhaps earlier.See also: Dartford Brent...	Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...	London won by 15 runs
Played for 50 guineas a side in the old Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London... . Play went on for several hours and bets of between £400 and £500 were laid. Those amounts were a fortune at the time.
8 June (Tu)	London v Kent Kent county cricket teams Kent county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. Kent, jointly with Sussex, is the birthplace of the sport...	Kennington Common	London won
Played for 30 guineas. An evening match.
16 June (W)	Dartford v London	Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of...	drawn
A return match was immediately arranged, to be played on Thu 24 June at the Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London... .
18 June (F)	London v Enfield	Lamb’s Conduit Fields	London won by 14 runs
Played for 200 guineas. The report mentions a great deal of good play on both sides.
24 June (Th)	London v Dartford	Artillery Ground	result unknown
This was arranged immediately after the game at Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of...  on Wed 16 June (according to the St James Evening Post).
26 June (S)	Sunbury v Kent	Sunbury Common	Sunbury won
Played for 30 guineas a side. The Kent side was organised by Edward Stead Edward Stead Edward Stead was a famous patron of English cricket, particularly of Kent county cricket teams, in the early 18th century.-Cricket career:...  of Maidstone. His opponent (for the stakes) may well have been Mr Andrews of Sunbury who organised the match against the Duke of Richmond Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond The 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...  in 1730.
30 June (W)	Dartford v London	Dartford Brent	drawn
The match ran out of time but it was thought (London) would have won. They arranged to play again on Monday 5 July (see below).
5 July (M)	London v Dartford	Artillery Ground	result unknown
H T Waghorn H T Waghorn Henry Thomas Waghorn , was a cricket statistician and historian. He is best known for his two classic researches into cricket's early history: The Dawn of Cricket and Cricket Scores: 1730 - 1773....  reports that play did not finish at Dartford Brent Dartford Brent Dartford Brent was an extensive area of common land on the outskirts of Dartford in Kent. In history, it was the scene of a confrontation between King Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York in 1452; and in 1555 thousands of spectators were to witness the burning to death at the stake of...  on Wed 30 June and the match was replayed at the Artillery Ground Artillery Ground The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...  on the following Monday 5 July (result unknown). There was an advert dated Sat 3 July for the re-match on Monday 5 July. Stumps were to be pitched at exactly two o’clock. Time in those days was determined by the local church clock.
12 July (M)	Surrey Surrey county cricket teams Surrey county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. The first definite mention of cricket anywhere in the world is dated c.1550 in Guildford.-17th century:...  v East Grinstead	Smitham Bottom	East Grinstead won by 5 wkts
This was played for forty guineas a side and won very considerably by (East Grinstead), they having four men to go in when the umpire gave up the game.
12 July (M)	London v Sevenoaks	Kennington Common	result unknown
This game is the first known to have been played in an enclosed ground. The report says the ground will be roped round and all persons are desired to keep without side of the same.
13 July (Tu)	Chelsea v Fulham	Chelsea Common	Fulham won
This was played for 50 guineas and, no, it wasn’t a football game! Mr Waghorn recorded: a person that stood by had the misfortune to receive a blow from the ball which beat out three of his teeth.
14 July (W)	Hampton v Brentford	Moulsey Hurst Moulsey Hurst Moulsey Hurst is located in what is now West Molesey, Surrey on the south bank of the River Thames above Molesey Lock. It is one of England's oldest sporting venues and was used in the 18th and 19th centuries for cricket, prizefighting and other sports....	result unknown
Reported in advance only: we hear that above £500 is already laid on their heads, neither party having yet been beat.
19 July (M)	Kent v Middlesex Middlesex county cricket teams Middlesex county cricket teams have been traced back to the 18th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. Given that the first definite mention of cricket anywhere in the world is dated c.1550 in Guildford, it is almost certain that the game had reached...	Kennington Common	result unknown
Reported in advance only: for £50 a side. The report stresses that the contestants are the County of Kent and the County of Middlesex.
20 July (Tu)	Croydon v London	Duppas Hill, Croydon	Croydon won
The original report in Fog’s Weekly Journal calls the winning team Surrey but a report of the return match on Mon 26 July refers to Croydon. It was played at Duppas Hill Duppas Hill Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation... , home venue of the Croydon club, so it does seem likely that Croydon was playing.
26 July (M)	London v Croydon	Artillery Ground	Croydon won
Mr Buckley’s source was the Daily Advertiser on Tues 27 July. Another source (Read’s Weekly Journal, quoted in Dawn of Cricket) reports that London were playing Dartford, but this match was almost certainly a return of the one at Duppas Hill Duppas Hill Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation...  on Tues 20 July. Wickets to be pitched at 1 pm under forfeiture of £10 on either side.
10 August (Tu)	Chelsea v Fulham	Parson’s Green	Fulham won by 3 runs
.....for 30 guineas; the game being play’d with great judgment on both sides. Chelsea was beat by only 3 notches.
16 August (M)	Duke of Richmond’s XI v Mr Chambers’ XI	Chichester	Mr Chambers’ XI won
The stake in this game was 100 guineas. No details are reported other than that Mr Chambers’ XI won. It seems Mr Chambers and his team all came from Middlesex.
23 August (M)	Mr Chambers’ XI v Duke of Richmond’s XI	Richmond Green Richmond Green Richmond Green is a recreation area located near the centre of Richmond, which is a town of about twenty thousand inhabitants situated in south west London. The green is essentially square in shape and its open grassland, framed with broadleaf trees, extends to roughly twelve acres...	Duke of Richmond conceded?
This return match was played for 200 guineas but it is notable as it seems to be the earliest match where team scores are known: Duke of Richmond 79, Mr Chambers 119; Duke of Richmond 72, Mr Chambers 23-5 (approx.). The game ended promptly at a pre-agreed time although Mr Chambers with four or five more to have come in and needing about 8 to 10 notches clearly had the upper hand. The end result caused a fracas among the crowd at Richmond Green who were incensed by the prompt finish because the Duke of Richmond had arrived late and delayed the start of the game. The riot resulted in some of the Sussex players having the shirts torn off their backs; and it was said a law suit would commence about the play. The source (Buckley) includes a further note which suggests the Duke of Richmond may have later conceded the result to Mr Chambers (see match on Mon 6 Sept below).
? September	Surrey v Kingston	Moulsey Hurst	Surrey won
Played for 25 guineas a side and some thousands of persons of both sexes were present on this occasion.
2 September (Th)	Croydon v London	Duppas Hill, Croydon	Surrey won
Played for 11 guineas. It is reported that a dispute arose and it was agreed to play it again on Mon 13 September..
4 September (S)	Surrey v Kent	Dulwich Common	drawn (rain)
This game was drawn due to heavy rain. Kent led by 17 on first innings but Surrey, with 3 wickets standing, needed just 12 to win when rain ended it. The report says the participants originally intended to continue another time but it seems they settled for the draw.
6 September (M)	Surrey v Mr Chambers’ XI	Sanderstead Common	Surrey won
The Daily Post Boy reported on Wed 8 September that 11 of Surrey beat the 11 who about a fortnight ago beat the Duke of Richmond’s men. See the game on Mon 23 August above. The report on Wed 8 Sept suggests that the Duke of Richmond Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond The 2nd Duke of Richmond has been described as early cricket's greatest patron. Although he had played cricket as a boy, his real involvement began after he succeeded to the dukedom...  conceded his controversial game against Mr Chambers.
15 September (W)	London v Croydon	Artillery Ground	Croydon won
Again the confusion between Croydon and Surrey: one report says Croydon, another says Surrey. Croydon is the more likely. This was probably the replay of the game on Thurs 2 Sept (see above), but postponed by two days from the originally agreed date.
28 September (Tu)	Surrey v London	Kennington Common	result unknown
No post-match report was found for this match despite its being promoted as likely to be the best performance of this kind that has been seen for some time. It is interesting that for the convenience of the gamesters, the ground is to be staked and roped out so it seems that enclosure quickly became common practice in 1731. In addition, the advertisement refers to the whole county of Surrey as London’s opponents. The Prince of Wales Frederick, Prince of Wales Frederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...  was expected to attend.

Other events

July. A single wicket match at Maidstone between two officers of the Royal Horse Guards

Royal Horse Guards

The Royal Horse Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.Founded August 1650 in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Sir Arthur Haselrig on the orders of Oliver Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers, the regiment became the Earl of Oxford's Regiment during the reign of...

, Captain Beak and Lieutenant Coke. It was for a considerable sum of money and won by Captain Beak after three hours very hard played. Mr Waghorn says it is the first military match he found during his researches.

July. An unusual match at Duppas Hill

Duppas Hill

Duppas Hill is a park, road and surrounding residential area in Waddon, near Croydon in Greater London . It is thought to be named after a family called 'Dubber' or 'Double'.Duppas Hill has a long history of sport and recreation...

, Croydon between a Kent team and a Surrey team who were all called Wood. The Kent team won. This is interesting given the well documented confusion over different players called Wood in the 1770s.

Saturday 2 October: a great cricket match will be play’d in the Artillery Ground

Artillery Ground

The Artillery Ground in Finsbury is one of London's most centrally located cricket grounds, situated just off the City Road immediately north of the City of London...

; it will be the last plaid (sic) this season; 11 of a side, stumps to be pitch’d exactly at 12 o’clock.

Saturday 2 October at Mitcham Cricket Green

Mitcham Cricket Green

Mitcham Cricket Green is a cricket ground in Mitcham, south London . It is the home of Mitcham Cricket Club and is reportedly the oldest cricket ground still in use, having been used for cricket since 1685.-History:...

 in Surrey. The local club played against Ewell, also in Surrey, for a small stake. This is interesting because it mentions "the famous Tim Coleman

Tim Coleman (cricketer)

Tim Coleman was an early English cricketer who played for London Cricket Club and Surrey during the 1720s and 1730s.-Career:Coleman is one of the earliest cricketers whose name has survived in contemporary records...

" who usually played for the London

London Cricket Club

The original London Cricket Club was formed by 1722 and was one of the foremost clubs in English cricket over the next four decades. It is closely associated with the Artillery Ground, where it played most of its home matches.-Early history of London cricket:...

and was in the Ewell team on this occasion. It is rarely that a player is mentioned by name in these early reports and even more rarely that he is given praise. Mr Coleman was on the losing side in this game as the home team won by several notches.

External links

• CricketArchive match lists
• From Lads to Lord's; The History of Cricket: 1300 – 1787