Sue Porter's Guide to Rugby and Cricket

Local author, Ann Waterhouse, first achieved success in 1995 when her book on rugby and cricket for supporters was published by Souvenir Press under a pseudonym, A Sue Porter (a pun on “a supporter” which Ann readily admits was terrible).

Nearly 20 years on, Ann and her illustrator friend Amanda Stiby Harris have updated and republished these simple guides for bemused supporters as separate books, Sue Porter’s Guide to Cricket and Sue Porter’s Guide to Rugby.

“We’re very excited” said Ann, “that the MCC loved the cricket book and it is now on sale in the MCC Shop at Lord’s cricket ground and online from their website.”

The books are aimed at new supporters/spectators, such as family and friends of young players taking up the sports, or girl/boyfriends and partners of older players. They provide an amusing, light-hearted introduction to both games, with all sorts of useful information from kit purchase and kit care to making teas. Because of the detail on position and game play, they are also a terrific introduction to both sports for new players.

“After reading the cricket book you will be able to talk knowledgeably about spin and swing bowling, off drives, knocking in, and know the difference between a googly and an off-break. The rugby book introduces you to the difference between a ruck and a maul and helps you understand a little more about tries, conversions and scrums”, explains Ann.

Ann and Amanda are currently busy writing and illustrating their latest addition to the series, Sue Porter’s Guide to Football, which they plan to publish in the autumn.

Following some very supportive comments from Jonathan Agnew on BBC’s Test Match Special recently, sales of the cricket book have boomed, with orders arriving daily either from bookshops through Gardners wholesalers and Nielsen’s Booknet system, or from online orders through Waterstones.com and Amazon.

Both books are on sale at The Mint House in Hurstpierpoint and can be ordered from any good bookshop. The books are also available direct from the publisher via www.sueportersguide.com.

The website also contains lots of useful links on both sports to allow readers to discover more about the sports after they’ve read the books.

Ann and Amanda plan to complete their series of guides with books on hockey and lacrosse, and netball and basketball in due course and are happy to listen to suggestions for other sports guides readers would like to see. Just contact them via the website. 

Ann grew up in Patcham, near Brighton, attending Brighton & Hove High School and has lived in Sayers Common for the past 12 years. In addition to her writing activities, she sings with several local choruses, including Mid Sussex Choir and Coastline Harmony. Contact her on sp@sueportersguide.com or 01273 832589 or 07971 406924 if you require any further information.