Repton School Cricket Archive
Repton Cricket Database — The Square
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The Square
Maps from AHJ Cochrane's book "Repton Cricket 1866-1905"
In 1859 part of the Monks' Paddock was added to the original ground,
bringing its northern boundary about level with the Hall Stables and Ruins.
In 1866 the boys of the school under the direction of JCP Aldous (H)‡,
undertook the levelling of the Upper Paddock, that stretch of ground
between the Science/Physics Block (now Cattley School) and Pears School.
The original pavilion was built in 1860, superseded by a larger uglier one
in 1875. Levelling and drainage was carried out all over the lower field in
the 1870s.
‡ See J.C.P. ALDOUS
In 1884 the Doctor's (Pears's) Paddock at the northern end of the field
was included. The final major improvement took place in 1912,
when a bay was cut from the steps by the Ruins to the steps by the
present pavilion. The bank was terraced and the excavated soil transferred
to the northern end of the ground. The old pavilion (altered and enlarged in 1889
and opened in 1890) was demolished and the present thatched one
built in its stead.
§ See PAVILIONS
In 2004 the 1st XI Square was relaid by Mike Kettle and the groundsmen under the watchful eye of Master i/c Frank Watson (see RELAYING).
In 2005 the original 2nd XI Square (4 pitches) was part of the 1st XI football pitch and this was replaced with six new pitches further north beyond the football pitch. The boundary was extended Hall side in 2006 to accommodate the change with the iron railings of the Hall/School House Tennis court being removed and the ground incorporated into the outfield of the 2nd XI Square.
Apart from School and Pilgrim matches the Repton Square has seen other fixtures take place. The Cryptics have played The Bacchanalians and fellow schoolmates have re-congregated to honour Tim Jones (C'1996) who sadly lost his fight against cancer in 2021.
Derbyshire Seconds have played several matches here - however there have been several other important matches that have graced our beautiful ground.
- On 3rd July 1988 Derbyshire played Middlesex in a rain-affected Refuge Assurance League match with John Carr (H'1976) playing for Middlesex.
- From 23rd to 27th July 2012 the 26th Bunbury English Schools Cricket Association Festival was held at Repton, with David English, the founder of the Bunbury Festival, awarding the School 15 out of 10 for the hosting of the Festival.
- Derbyshire Women have also played matches on The Square, as have England Women in 2013 (in preparation for their upcoming series against Pakistan Women) when taking on a combined Repton/Derbyshire Academy side captained by Canadian (and future USA Men's T20 World Cup performer in 2024) Nitish Kumar (N'2011).
- The Derbyshire Men's Team returned to Repton on 15th August 2025 to play Worcestershire in a Metro Bank Men's One Day Cup match, and again on 31st July 2026 to play Glamorgan, with Ross Whiteley (N'2005) playing in both matches for Derbyshire.