In 1864 the new Central Recreation Ground was opened. The first grand match on this ground was between a United England Eleven and twenty-two of Hastings and St. Leonards. This match was memorable for the feat performed by George Griffin, of Surrey, who hit four consecutive balls out of the ground in one over off the bowling of "Farmer" Bennett of Kent. Scoring 6 for each hit. Talking of Henry Phillips, playing for Sussex against the Australians at Brighton, he made his century, and in 1872, Sussex v. Surrey, he stumped five and caught five, securing half the wickets of his opponents.
In 1874 another East Sussex Club was formed with Mr. Thomas (afterwards Earl) Brassey, as its patron, and Mr. Herbert Mascell Curteis, as President, but it was dissolved in 1878.
In 1877 cricket in Hastings was at a very low ebb ; the author of this book called a meeting of townsmen at the Queen's Hotel, with a view of resuscitating the game, but failed to raise the enthusiasm of those present, and the writer resolved to take upon himself the responsibility of a match between the United South of England and 18 of Hastings and District. W. G. Grace captained the South of England team, and the Hastings 18 included the brothers Harry, Jim, and Albert Phillips. The match was a great success, and the game again revived in Hastings. Perhaps the local club which had the longest existence was the Hastings Central, afterwards called the Hastings and St. Leonards Central Cricket Club, on the Cricket Ground, President, Mr. A. J. Brook, followed by Mr. F. Ransom, Mr. Stanley T. Weston, and for the last 10 years of its existence, Mr. Thomas Parkin. This Club was dissolved in 1893. Afterwards followed a series of Annual Cricket Weeks, arranged by Mr. William Carless, and a Committee of local gentlemen, which formed one of the principal events of the year. Mr. Carless' mantle has now fallen upon Mr. W. E. F. Cheesman, who is proving a worthy successor. The Cricket Week was abandoned during the war and is now revived.
Archery. Some time after the founding of St. Leonards, Mr. James Burton created that delightful retreat known as the St. Leonards Archery Gardens, near Quarry Hill, and a Club was formed called the St. Leonards Archers, and in 1834-5, the Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, then staying at St. Leonards, became its patrons, and jointly presented the Club with an embroidered banner, designed by the Princess, together with the Victoria Challenge Prizes, etc.
A view is given on next page of these beautiful grounds.
Racing. The accompanying view shews the Race Course at Bulverhythe Salts. On October 3rd, 1823, the first annual Hastings Races came off here, when a Town Plate of 50 sovereigns and a Ladies' Plate of 50 sovereigns, and other prizes were competed for. Mr. Barton, owner of the land, Mr. Edward Wenham, the reputed owner of smuggling cutters, and Mr. Edward Farncombe, were the -
