Devotees of the Church of Clive, from all walks of life, broke bread together.

One of the shortest lived "micro-faiths", The Church of Clive, existed for just 3 weeks in June 2006. Created to offer devotion to Stonehaven Thistle bowler, Clive Hinchcliffe, after his part in the defeats of Grade 1 behemoths, Cults and Kintore. The approximate congregation size, at it's peak, was 85% of Grades cricketers. Support crumbled and the Church disintegrated when Stonehaven failed in their efforts to repeat their giant-killing against Bon Accord (the game was abandoned after prolonged attempts to play the game).

(Note: there was no physical Church built, the "temple" was a trans-situational one, meaning worship of Clive was possible anywhere, anytime).

The figures behind the faith

June 3rd, 2006

Stonehaven Thistle 101 all out (The figure of 101 came to be revered above all others in light of the Cults game that was to follow)

Kintore 100 all out. (Clive Hinchcliffe destroys the (then) reigning Grade 1 champions, taking 6 wickets for 12 runs).

June 17th, 2006

Cults 101 all out (101, the number that offered protection to the faithful in the Kintore game, now turned against the non-believer).

(Note: although Cults defeat was more due to Andy Wilson's bowling (4 for 26), the fear of Clive Hinchcliffe (who took 2 for 13) was almost certainly an important factor.)

Stonehaven Thistle 104 for 5.

101 - the Holy number

Many of the beliefs shared by Cliveans revolved around the significance of the number 101. They contended that "One Over The Ton" was divinely assigned to Stonehaven Thistle as a protector, when batting, and as a holy armament against their enemies, when bowling.

That 101 is 1 run added to one of the most significant numbers in cricket, it was seen as an omen of good fortune. The number also has more negative connotations, Room 101 being a powerful symbol of fear in the George Orwell novel, 1984.

The final dissolution

The Church of Clive fell into disrepute, soon after the Cults victory, as follower's prayers, for a victory against the one remaining unconquered giant, Bon Accord, went unanswered, rain preventing play. There were a few revivalist meetings, later in the season, when Stonehaven beat Kintore (on August 12th, 2006) for the second time but by that time, Kintore were no longer regarded in a mythic context.

This page was last updated Tuesday, 15 April 2008