The exact date that cricket was first played in Witchampton is not known, but it was well established by the late nineteenth century. At this time the ground was situated in Higher Park at Boxhalls’s Lodge near C**k Road, Crichel. It was in the 1920’s when the ground was moved to Crichel Park, facilities at that time were primitive with only a small box-like scoring hut providing the only changing
room, but the standard of cricket was good and it is known that the Club won the Wimborne Saturday League in three consecutive years and the only champions ever to beat the “Rest of the League” side, a traditional prestigious match in those days. In 1950 the club were accepted to membership of the Bournemouth Cricket League and remained members with either one or two teams until the Bournemouth Association dissolved in 2003. In the early 1960’s a new wooden pavilion was built that provided a superb background to the playing area and was the envy of most clubs in those days. With these facilities, a successful team and a quiet village setting, it was not unusual to get several hundred supporters and cricket lovers to park around the ground to watch our matches. The Club has benefited from many good loyal and hard working officers and members and the family connections are apparent when looking through the officers listing. The family connections have been borne out in the way our cricket has been played over the years with generations of the same families appearing in the teams throughout the years, this has helped towards the fair but competitive way we have performed over the years and a good reputation for our after match socialising with our opponents.
