10 YEARS ON – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
On 7th April 2008 the story broke that Torquay CC 1st XI had very few “true” 1st XI players left and relegation wasn’t if but just the when – step forward Justin Yau who turned a team of boys into a team of men. Torquay United had had many “Great Escapes” but what unfolded was truly remarkable – a victory over North Devon CC 1st XI on the last game of the season (Evo’s match 400) proves miracles can happen. Had the script been written though – only 6 points were needed and Evo had recorded 4994 for the 1st XI!
Seven years on from that miracle the Premier League title came home on a never to be forgotten day at Bovey Tracey – Joseph Edward Thompson having hardly bowled all season took his only league wicket of the season that effectively meant the title was “coming home” (those who were around from 1996 can understand the significance of the quote) – it reminds Evo very much of Ian Baker getting Adrian Small out in 1996 and 1997 but that is a story all of its own with a minor sequel in 2018. However, a rain delay in North Devon meant putting the celebrations on ice for a short which sadly meant Torquay couldn’t walk out to bat as champions (Evo did everything to slow the umpires up but failed). The trophy was presented seven days later at home, with Nigel Janes who had been the last skipper to lift the trophy for Torquay CC present.
So what happened to the squad of 2015?
· Justin Yau – called it a day with Torquay as a result of the relegation because of the “North Devon Debacle” and now skippers Congresbury CC and is qualifying to become a playing member of the MCC.
· Joe Thompson – trod the same path as Yau for the same reason.
· Matt Thompson – being based in South Wales having a top job with Cricket Wales for the same reason plied his trade in South Wales for several years before finally heading to Congresbury to join Yau and his older brother.
· Nick Watkin – joined the exodus out of loyalty being vice-captain but stayed local. Initially with Abbotskerswell CC before returning to Barton CC. A subsequent skipper did consider trying to get him back to the Rec but knew the answer would be “no”.
· Max Waller – a friend of Yau from junior representative cricket, left his role as Match Day Pro at the end of the season and subsequently had a nomadic existence in league cricket both during his later years with Somerset CCC and subsequently. Last heard of over the border with Callington CC when not coaching Exeter University.
· Ryan Stevenson – the find of the season went onto have a career with Hampshire CCC which alas was blighted by back trouble so rarely played afterwards in Devon and eventually played his club cricket in Hampshire before joining up with Yau at Congresbury but never actually played. On his release by Hampshire, Stevenson like Adam Dibble, walked away from the game completely.
· Matt Petherbridge – the starlet of the side joined the exodus and headed back west and is now enjoying his cricket again over the border playing for Saltash CC.
· Mitch Pugh – stayed on in the initial post Yau era before heading east to join Bradninch CC as it was then.
· Kazi Szymanski – had a short time on the books of Glamorgan CCC so was under orders to ply his trade in South Wales. Szymanski even after his release continued to do this including three seasons when his home ground was the one made famous by Sobers six sixes before heading back to play for Taunton St Andrews CC. However, he has now just gone up north to play for Moorlands CC.
· Sach Galhenage - the overseas returned to India and there is no record of him playing again in league cricket. (Mitch Pugh played as English qualified as although he was from Sydney had an English passport and could have even have a third – a South African.)
· Jack Richardson – another who trod the well-worn path to Congresbury CC before retiring in 2021.
· Tim Piper – left the club during the season and headed back to his spiritual home, Bradninch CC for the second time where he still plays.
· Bertus Loots – one of those overseas who never went home was the mid-season replacement for Piper. Loots rarely played any cricket after 2015 but is believed still to live in the South Hams.
· Richard Hancocks – last heard of back in the Sussex area.
· Neal Osborn - played spasmodically afterwards whilst concentrating on his footballing career, which sadly stooled thanks to an untimely injury, before joining Abbotskerswell CC and you guessed it the last club he was registered with was Congresbury CC!
· Joe Crooks – another veteran of the Miracle of 2008, continued to play until he set off for a new life in Australia.
· Oli Pitts – rarely played any cricket after 2015 but what cricket he did was for Torquay CC. Now concentrates on Marshal Arts and has just headed off to Australia for a new life.
· Ollie Hunt – continued to play until he moved up north for work. From all accounts his bowling boots haven’t seen any action in a while. Just like his younger brother, Josh, Ollie was also part of the Miracle of 2008.
· Ian Baker – a survivor from the back to back titles in 1996 & 97 played on until very recently combining that with driving Torquay CC forward as a dynamic young Chair. Not officially retired but we are unlikely to hear the words “Jesus Christ” again, his trademark expression on bowling a wide.
· Tim Western – the last player truly standing and now an England O50 international who like Baker is also a veteran of 1996 & 1997.
To be absolutely correct Evo has to make mention of Ed Thompson, dad of Joe and Matt who was an unused nominated substitute fielder for one fixture. Ed until the boys moved on still watched but now spends more time playing Table Tennis.
Well of course then there is Evo himself who started with the 1st XI just three weeks after the Hillsborough Disaster and is still going strong (just) and next year will possibly reach match 700! That saying the “North Devon Debacle” and the early post Yau era did push him from all accounts very close to calling it a day.
Why did Evo start with mentioning 7 April? Well Yauy and Evo were born in 7 April!
