A BRIGG SPORTING RECORD THEY STILL TALK ABOUT

Brigg Town Cricket Club is currently enjoying a very successful season and is on course to win the championship, with only two games to go.
A Brigg club existed in the 19th century but failed to re-appear after the Second World War, and it was not until 1973/4 that things were re-established, with many ups and downs since then.
An email received the other day from Craig Benson, pictured above, now secretary of Briggensians Football Club, prompted Brigg Blog to check back in the archives to dig out details of a cricketing record in which he was involved.
During the 1985 season, Brigg Town 2nds set a team record in the South Humberside Alliance.
Against Grimsby BRSA (British Railways Staff Association) Brigg recorded the quickest-ever victory in this competition, bowling out the opposition for 33 and then taking only 14 balls to reach their target.
Andy (Tom) Willey (four for 14) and Paul Chapman (four for 18) set up Brigg's rapid win, with Benson (20 not out) and Graham Wood (12 not out) wasting no time in blasting Town to victory.
On the same day, Brigg Town's first team had a winning draw against Scunthorpe Town 3rds, Simon Church top scoring for the local side with 37.

 

John Danson

In Scunthorpe's line-up was John Danson, who is still playing 33 years later. He appeared for Brigg Town in last Saturday's victory in Lincolnshire League division four - against Scunthorpe, his former club.
Brigg reached the South Bank final of the Humberside Village Knockout (sponsored by the county council) with a  win over Messingham in 1985.
Brigg's hero was Simon Church - better known as a batsman - who returned career best bowling figures of six for 12 to help shoot out the visitors for 82.
Simon later emigrated to Australia where he still keeps in touch with Brigg area sport through posts on our blog.
Brigg Charity Market, with a wide range of stalls selling goods and refreshments to raise funds for local community groups, proved popular in summer 1985.
Brigg Stockmarket (now the site of Tesco's store) was still going strong, with large numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs traded.
Stennett's Market - then located on Manley Gardens - was also busy selling provisions to people from a wide area.
Here are a few Brigg businesses from 33 years ago you may remember...

• Syd Whelpton car sales/repairs, Bridge Street (housing development since built on the site it occupied).
• Thornholme Hotel (Rest Home), Wrawby Road.
• The Alcoves, on Bigby Street, selling figurines, silver plate, crystal ware and gifts (building now used for housing).
• Record Village, 49 Wrawby Street, selling discs and also videos to buy or rent.
• Shaws Outfitters Ltd, Market Place.
• Glacier Motors, Grammar School Road, in a building now occupied by Brians DIY on what we know as Grammar School Road South.
• DDM (Dickinson Davy & Markham), estate agents and auctioneers, 10 Wrawby Street. 
• Peacock & Binnington, agricultural equipment and services, Bridge Street.

Prizes at Sir John Nelthorpe School's sports day in 1985 were presented by the Town Mayor and Mayoress of Brigg, Coun Tom and Maureen Glossop.
Captain's Day at Elsham Golf Club that summer saw Brian Akester hole in one at the 195-yard 12th.