News: Record finally tumbles after 17 years (July 2006)
As individual and team records continue to tumble at an astonishing rate this season, perhaps there's one record that stands above most, if not all, others...the highest individual league score....
So, how fitting that this much sought after landmark that was finally broken by G E Stiddard during the second eleven's 16th consecutive league victory against Hanham CC record, a new club record in itself. The powerfully built taxi driver scored an unbeaten 133 runs to edge ahead of previous record holder Steve Buckland who's 131 not out against Failand & Portbury had stood for the last 17 season, despite some 2000 individual innings by YM batsmen during that period!
G.E.STIDDARD 133* IN 2006 - 2nd X1
S.BUCKLAND 131* IN 1989 - 1st X1
B.A.MILSOM 124* in 2004 - 1st X1
L.C.HARRIS 123* IN 1985 - 2nd X1
R.J.BRITTON 122 IN 2001 - 4th X1
M.A.LAWRENCE 117 IN 1981 - 2nd X1
C.B.DREW 114* IN 1998 - 2nd X1
C.B.DREW 110 IN 1998 - 2nd X1
S.BUCKLAND 109* IN 1988 - 1st X1
K.YOUNG 108 IN 1980 - 1st X1
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| Bill Machin - still an influencial figure at Golden Hill |
"This one's for Bill"
Aside from Stiddard's reputation as a brutal but controlled middle-order batsmen, by contrast, the quiet family man from Lockleaze can also be considered as one of Golden Hill's most modest and understated high achievers. The middle order batsmen already holds the record for the fastest century (during a midweek match at Easton-In-Gordano) and has one of the most impressive half-century-to-innings ratios in the club's modern era. However, despite the accolades that should be associated with the highest score ever made by a YM cricketer in league cricket, it was Stiddard's modesty that shined through after the match as he staffed the club bar, just as he does most weekends, without a single reference to his tremendous feat.
However, the former bingo caller found a moment to speak with ymcacricket.com and revealed his typically selfless motive for accumulating such a mountain of runs: "As I reached three figures my first thought was to my old friend and mentor, Bill Machin. Bill gave me some valuable advice when I joined the club and when, tragically, he died I swore then that I would dedicate my first league ton to the great clubman." Stiddard continued by adding: "As I reached my century I raised my bat towards the blue sky and said 'This one's for you Bill'."
