4. Early First Class Cricketers : William Martingell and Charles Payne

Oxted's first recorded Cricketer of note was probably William Martingell (born Nutfield 20 August 1818 – died 29 Eton Wick, Bucks September 1897). His family lived in Bletchingley and his Father Russell played for Surrey in 1828.

Will Martingell was a professional cricketer who played first-class cricket between 1839 and 1860, primarily for Kent County Cricket Club and Surrey County Cricket Club, making over 180 first-class appearances during his career.

With thanks again to Roger Packham's research, we know from the Archives of Bell's Life that Martingell played for Oxted Star against Croydon United on 1 September 1837 shortly after his 19th birthday. Both sides were dismissed for 28 but because Oxted only scored 14 in the second innings, they lost the match by seven wickets!. The sporting paper Bell's Life records gave brief scores on 10th September and a report concluding with 'Martingale [sic] and Scott's bowling, on the part of Oxted, was also excellent'.'

Martingell is recorded in July 1839, in a report in the Sussex Agricultural Express that he was a "most promising" cricketer who was due to be employed at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

He made his first-class cricket debut later the same month playing for a Surrey side against MCC at Lord's, taking five wickets in the MCC second innings as they were dismissed for 15 runs.

In Oxted CC's Centenary Handbook (Authors BE Hebert & R Packham) the authors detail a match at Broadham Green (possibly a part of what is now Tandridge Golf Club) on 6th August 1885, with scores listed in the Croydon Chronicle. Supper was taken at the Bell Inn.

Charles Richard Payne (20 December 1827 – 31 January 1859) played for Oxted in the match , top scoring with 33 runs to give Oxted a win by an Innings (scores were significantly lower in those times and innings were generally far shorter) .

Payne later achieved fame as a professional for Sussex and in 1865 topped the first-class averages in England.

In the same team, incidentally, were two members of the Lashmar Brewing Company - who's family tomb is also in St Mary's Churchyard.