Essex had to wait for more than a century before lifting a first piece of silverware but when that landmark occasion finally arrived to blow the dust out of the trophy cabinet, two titles were won in the same season.
Today (Sunday 21 July) marks 40 years since the Benson & Hedges Cup arrived in the Club’s grasp, and this was soon followed by a County Championship title.
It was not until 1894 that Essex were accorded official first-class status. They later competed in the County Championship for the first time in 1895 but it was not until that unforgettable summer of 1979 that the keys to unlock that trophy cabinet were first needed.
The man that steered the County into their previously uncharted successful territory was Keith Fletcher. “Our success was built on great talent and tremendous teamwork,” he says. “Everyone played a significant role and I was proud to have been at the helm.
A few weeks before they were crowned champions, Fletcher lifted the Benson & Hedges Cup at Lord’s after beating Surrey by 35 runs; the county’s first major honour.
“The atmosphere was electric and the staggering thing was that 90 percent of the crowd appeared to be supporting us,” Fletcher recalls. “I must admit I was a little nervous as we tossed up, but I also had the feeling it was going to be our day. The air was split with a tremendous roar every time we struck a boundary and took a wicket.”
It was spearheaded by Graham Gooch who demonstrated his immense class and power with a brilliant century that pointed the way to a total of 290 for six from 55 overs.
Denness and Gooch added 48 for the first wicket before the gifted McEwan arrived on the scene to share in one of the most thrilling partnerships witnessed in a limited-overs final at Lord’s.
By lunch the pair had carried the total to 166 without further loss at nearly a run-a-ball. This was before McEwan’s majestic knock of 72, containing 10 boundaries, was ended shortly afterwards when he was caught behind by Jack Richards.
Fletcher struck a brisk 34 before being bowled by Roger Knight. Gooch was fifth out, bowled by Hugh Wilson for 120 with the total on 273. He walked off to a standing ovation having smashed three sixes and 11 fours.
It was the first century recorded in a Benson & Hedge Cup Final and predictably won him the Man of the Match Gold Award.
Gooch insists that the match ranks as the number one game in the Club’s history. “It was our first ever trophy,” he said. “We had been runners-up a couple of times in the John Player League but the first Benson & Hedges Cup Final was a special day. Not only for the players who had been there a long time, such as Keith Fletcher, Ray East, Stuart Turner, David Acfield, John Lever and all those guys but all the Members and supporters who had shown faith for so many years.
“The thing to remember as a player is that it’s not about how many runs you score or how many wickets you take, but the number of games in which your performances influence the outcome for your side. That innings I played at Lord’s in 1979 helped get us over the line.”
To their credit, Surrey made a valiant effort to mount a serious challenge. Although they lost Alan Butcher and Monte Lynch before the 50 was raised, Knight and Geoff Howarth were to revive them with a stand of 91. That was broken by a quite brilliant catch from wicket-keeper Neil Smith diving a long way to his left to get rid of Knight for 52.
With Surrey requiring 100 from the final eight overs and with seven wickets in hand. Howarth hooked Lever to fine leg where Denness put down the catch.
“Mike came across and said “Sorry, I should have caught it” recalls Lever. “I told him not to worry and asked him how he thought things were going.
“His response was that ‘everything is okay and we are in firm control’. That had a reassuring effect on me and the other lads who heard him. Like ‘Fletch’, he was a calming influence and didn’t panic.”
A few deliveries later Howarth’s fine knock ended for 74 when Fletcher held on to a skier at mid-wicket.
“I couldn’t look as the skipper got underneath it and turned my back,” remembers Hardie. “But a few seconds later I heard a tremendous roar and knew he had held it.”
Essex went on to strengthen the grip and victory arrived in the 52nd over when Wilson was bowled by Lever. He finished with 2 for 33 from 9.4 overs, Phillip with three for 42 from 10, East two for 40, Keith Pont two for 67 and Turner 1 for 47.
“I recollect ‘Fletch’ throwing his arms around me when the last Surrey wicket went down and then it was time to celebrate,” said Lever. “I had arranged for the players and their partners to have dinner at the Victoria Sporting Club, win or lose, and that’s where we went off to celebrate.”
For Fletcher, still actively involved with his beloved County in an advisory role, the victory remains his proudest moment and greatest thrill in an Essex sweater.
