Who we are
Haymakers CC is a wandering invitational cricket club, officially launched in 2003, although with much older roots. We arrange several matches every year for the benefit of our members, who comprise a large group of friends extending not merely across the UK but internationally.
We are pleased to have in the order of 200 members, of which around 100 are active players. These come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, skill levels, and walks of life. Some hail from our original heartlands of Herefordshire, Powys, and Shropshire. Over time, we have added many from further afield, including Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, the Home Counties, and Yorkshire.
While membership is normally by introduction, and has certain qualification requirements, a strong emphasis is placed on inclusivity. Skill levels range from the former first-class player, through the doughty league stalwart, to the keen youngster and the never-played-before novice.
One of our many idiosyncrasies is that our matches are internal club affairs, with teams balanced on the day as much as possible. This aids our development of lesser-skilled players alongside those with greater ability.
We favour declaration cricket, although not to the exclusion of limited-overs cricket.
Where we are
We appreciate the clubs that open up their facilities to host us, some on a regular basis – most notably Charlbury in Oxfordshire and Kington in Herefordshire – and continue to look for further opportunities to extend our geographical boundaries. As of 2023, we have played on 21 grounds, with our 20th coming in, appropriately, our 20th anniversary year.
When not on the field of play, our signature blue, yellow and white hooped caps have frequently been spied on live Sky coverage of England Test matches – and indeed on BBC highlights packages.
Who we aren’t
Since our inception, the internet has revealed two other namesake clubs. We shouldn’t be confused with Haymakers Cricket Club in Kent, associated with King’s School in Canterbury, nor the team of the Cambridge pub The Haymakers.
Why this website
This website is primarily a members’ resource of match reports, pictures and other news items. All active players should apply on the Spond website in order to be added to the group where fixture information is maintained. Members can access reports and other private club information in the dedicated members’ area.