St James's Montefiore Cricket Club

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The Club was founded in 1898, and takes its name from St James's Street, off the Old Steine, in Brighton, Sussex. This was the location of the first recorded meeting of the Club. The club amalgamated with Hove Montefiore Cricket Club in the 1990s.

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The Club had a nomadic existence until the early 1980's, although it always attracted fine cricketers. Several Club members have played for Sussex over the years, before and after the restructuring of the first-class game in the early 1960's.

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A seminal event for the Club was the opening of our Ground on Keymer Road, Ditchling, East Sussex in 1982. We have improved the facilities year on year, in 2008 adding a second ground and 2012 a large pavilion extension. This has been mirrored by progress on the field.

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The Club were champions of the Sussex Championship League in 1985, and after joining the East Sussex League Division 2 in 1986, won promotion to Division 1 in 1987.

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After winning the East Sussex League in 1990 and again in 1994, the Club had the best possible result at the end of our Centenary Season in 1998. Promotion to the 2nd Division of the Sussex Cricket League, the premier amateur league in the County, was achieved. In our first season the Club were top of our division for three weeks before finally finishing third.

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The Club has now achieved promotion to the Sussex Cricket League Premier Division 3 times at 1st XI level, although it has been unable, to date, to consolidate its position. The 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI currently play in the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League. The 1st XI play in Division 2. The 2nd XI gained promotion to Division 5 in 2018. The 3rd XI play in Division 10 central.

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We have a widely-respected youth development programme, and provide league and recreational cricket for all standards on Saturdays, Sundays and midweek, during the season. We also have a Women's Section and a Golf Society.

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New players, visitors, and opponents are always welcome at our friendly and competitive club at our picturesque ground nestling under the South Downs at Ditchling, East Sussex.