Our Cricket

Formerly a club for officers the constitution was changed in the 1960s to include all ranks. The club joined the Hampshire League in 1978 gaining promotion to the Southern League. In 1995 the club were the league champions. In 1985 the club opened its doors to non uniformed members to maintain the standard of cricket especially as the numbers of servicemen in the Portsmouth area had reduced dramatically in the previous 10-15 years.

Oldy In October 2000 the club joined forces with Portsmouth Civil Service & Cormorants CC who lost their ground at Copnor Road due to redevelopment. The combined membership however has flourised to include an even mix of Service, MOD and Non Service personnel, catering for all ages and abilities.

In 2008 the club will field three Saturday league teams – 1ST X1 in the Southern Electric Premier, 2ND X1 in Hampshire County Div 2 and the 3RD X1 in South East Regional Div 2. We also have three Colts teams, U11’s, U13’s and U15’s playing in the South East Hants Colts League.

On top of this we have plenty of very attractive friendly fixtures both during the week and at weekends. These include the annual match against Treeton, the touring side from Yorkshire, and a new fixture with Hampton & Richmond. So with this very wide ranging list of matches to be played we would welcome any new players to the club – if interested contact any club official shown on the Contact page.

In season 2006, we had the services of Charles Coventry a Zimbabwe test player who with his tremendous batting skills won the league batting award . He was so far ahead of the rest of the pack that he received the trophy after the penultimate match of the season. Two of his many moments throughout the season were putting the ball through the University gymnasium window and despatching Steve Green of Easton & M for five successive sixes.

However, at the 2006 AGM, the membership voted not to have an overseas player for the coming season as it was felt that, in terms of money, the cost is too high.

Also at the AGM we welcomed our new Chairman, Captain Phil Buckley RN, who took over the reins from Tim Fraser. Thanks to Tim for all his hard work and support during his term of office.

USSG is renowned as one of the best wickets in the county. In season 2006, under the expertise of Robbie Henderson, the outfield was voted the best in the Southern League and the wicket voted fourth overall. Quality batsmen can be confident in scoring runs with the bowlers always fancying their chances. The most eminent and longest serving groundsman was Doug Welsh who retired in 1980 after 36 years. Doug built up the ground's hard and bouncy reputation which was maintained by Bob Wheeldon. He won ECB grounds awards in 1995 and 1998 before moving to the Portsmouth Grammar School grounds in 2000.

Hampshire Greats

Over the years USSG has seen a plethora of visiting International stars. Hampshire players include the great Barry Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Robin Smith with Shane Warne being the latest.

Malcolm Marshall who died so prematurely of cancer in 2000 enjoyed the extra pace. He bowled out Derbyshire in 1990. At 140 for 1 needing a further 95 Malcolm claimed his 7th wicket and Hampshire won by 50 runs.

Derek Shackleton took 475 wickets at Portsmouth and Bobby Parks has a best of 10 victims in the match v Derbyshire in 1981.