EVO – THE CLUB SCORER (AND VERY MUCH MORE) AT 700 (PART 11 - GETTING TO AWAY MATCHES)

It is a tradition of the club that scorers don’t have to drive to away and for the most part it is a tradition which has continued all through Evo’s tenure as 1sr XI scorer.  Evo was particularly lucky in the early years as his “chauffeur” in the form of Nigel Janes lived literally next door.

Reflecting back the 1995 season was interesting.  Traditionally being a “short arse”, Evo would always sit in the back of the car.  However, 1995 was the first time he had really come across the Muslim Culture in an era well before EDI which is now a passion of his.  He travelled with Mohammad Amjad for most the season and despite Amjad having his wife with him, Evo would for one season only always be in the front seat.

However, for good stories look no further then Mike Pugh.  When Devon CCC first dropped The Rec as Minor Counties Championship ground, replaced by two one day matches, the chair at the time did his usual jump up and down, “this is so terrible.”  However, on one trip to East Devon that season, Evo can simply remember words of wisdom from Pughie, “you can make more money out of two one day matches.”   On two other trips to East Devon though, Pughie didn’t have such a good day.  On one occasion away to Sandford, he later faced the Court Marshall for getting Evo late to the match and on another occasion away to Budleigh Salterton, Evo returned on a low loader as Pughie had filled up with the wrong fuel.  Over the years Evo though has had some fast chauffeurs drive him around but the title of the fastest goes to Justin Yau’s wife to be, Natalie, in her sports car – Yauy actually earnest a lot of praise that day as knowing Evo was struggling as a result of the consequences of the North Devon “debacle” so a nice trip into Somerset for the Area T20 Finals in a sportscar and not having to try and fit in (which will be allured to later) was just what the doctor ordered.

Over the years though, Evo has driven himself occasionally to away matches.  His earliest memory was Paignton away – he left The Rec in light rain, a case of if it stopped there would be play, however by the time he had reached the Livermead Cliff Hotel, manhole covers were literally floating.  Another rainy story was away to Sandford in 2007.  In the car with him was Joe Crooks, Matt Thompson and Justin Yau but looking what he was driving into there was certainly no need to rush and by the outskirts of Crediton the rain was just bouncing off the car yet either Thommo or Yauy managed to sleep through it.  Apparently at 11am it had been as if the lights had just been turned out in Sandford – the bottom end nearest to the manor house was just like a swimming pool.  On the way back Yauy was actually useful from all accounts as he acted as Evo’s PA as Evo received a call inviting him to score for England CDA XI.    The following year Evo travelled solo to Sidmouth as he had split loyalties because of a close friend’s wedding.  The rain saved the 10-player 1st XI from certain defeat.  The race was now on to get to the wedding reception through the tail end of Devon County Show traffic – just 90 mins after leaving Sidmouth, Evo was at the Wedding Reception having not being able to book a taxi until he got home.  In 2011, Evo drove Mawgan Penrice down to take on Tavistock, and Evo said, “he always wanted to time himself on foot from home to the back gate at The Rec.”  Well Ali Imran Pasha did a demolition job so Evo got the chance to time himself – 14 mins 10 secs fast walking.

For Evo though his shortest away trip is actually nearer to home then The Rec – the club’s former home, Cricketfield Road and Evo reckons it is quicker to walk it then drive it!