Over the 3 days of the 14th-16th August 1856 Reigate Priory took on and beat the United All England XI, the best team in England and hence the world. The United XI were that good they normally played against 22 of the opposition but Priory were strengthened by some professionals and "only" had 16 players.

Two of the pros bowled 128 of the 138 Priory four ball overs to record a famous 43 run victory. This was 21 years before test cricket but 9 of that United XI represented England on their first ever overseas tour, to the USA, three years later.

Crowds of 1500 a day were reputed to have attended this first of many high profile matches at Park Lane.