Did you know……


The first ever recorded captain of Nottingham High School cricket first eleven was a gentleman called Frank Ashwell in 1871. Frank was Born in 1855 and lived on Waverley street and was the son of a hosier. He was described in the annual yearbook as ‘a good bat and field, and useful as a change bowler’ and the wicket keeper (H Stevenson) was known and described as the longstop! During his time at Nottingham High school Frank studied both English literature and Classics.


Nottingham High school played two games in the 1871 season against Trent College and Twenty two of the school, winning both games. Frank was top of the batting average with a respectable 28 and master in charge of cricket was summarised the season with the following comment.

‘We still have to bewail the want of a ground, and our inability to find one for ordinary practice. Our eleven in consequence is not very strong’

The first match the 1st XI played was against 22 of the next best players from the school which included Mr.Yeld a master at the school. Nottingham first eleven bowled out the 22 for a meagre 31. Amongst the many wickets taken by the school was the captain Frank who took 9 wickets, (his brother H. Ashwell took one), 3 wickets to Towlson, 3 wickets to Langley and 5 run outs!!! The first eleven scored 113. Frank Ashwell top scored with a captain’s knock of 44. Mr Yeld was the leading wicket taker for the 22 taken 6 and clean bowling the captain Frank Ashwell.

The second game the school played was against Trent College. The school was represented by four Old boys and rest from the school. The High school won the toss and elected to bat against a strong College eleven. The high school won the match with some good contributions from the Captain and his brother C.T Ashwell. His innings of 36 n.o. contained 2 sixes, 1 four, 3 threes, and 8 twos (Which is even more remarkable when you notice that the above adds up to 41!!)

Rugby Introduced to the School in December 1914 (see the previous seasons archive)

Leading Try Scorer: N E G Johnson, 1972-73, 34 Tries

Leading Points Scorer: R E Dexter, 1973-74, 224 Points

Most Consecutive Appearances: P J Harwood ,1988-90, 50 Appearances

England Internationals:
J B Sheffield, 1962 (18 Group)
G M Collins, 1983 (16 Group)
G M Collins, 1985 (18 Group)
D N Gardiner, 1984 (16 Group)
G A Tonks, 2005 (16 Group)
G A Tonks, 2006, 2007 (18 Group)

G.A. Tonks 2008/9 U20

J. Stokes, 2017 England Counties

M. Trimble, 2017 England Counties

Final England 18 Group Trialists:
M Saxelby, 1987
J W Atkinson, 1990
C W Hare, 1997
O O Senbanjo, 1999
Scotland Internationals:
D W Lambert, 2005 (18 Group)

G.A Tonks, Scotland A 2013

G.A Tonks Scotland 2013, 2015, 2017

Nottingham High School Rugby Midlands 18 Group Divisional Players:

1963 J B Sheffield
1964 D C Haywood
1967 P H Moody
1973 N E G Johnson
1974 K M Joy
1975 K M Joy
1979 P M Prokopa
1981 S R Morley
1984 G Collins
1985 G Collins
1986 M Saxelby
1987 M Saxelby and P M C Leman
1989 T R Leman
1990 J W Atkinson
1995 P M Dunn
1997 C W Hare
1999 O O Senbanjo
2000 O O Senbanjo
2001 A W R Campbell
2002 R L Davies
2006 G T Bramhall