EVO – THE CLUB SCORER (AND VERY MUCH MORE) AT 700 (PART 5 - 2001 TO 2007)

Sometime in the 2000s, although Evo actually reckons it was the fabled 2008 season, Torquay hosted Plympton fairly early season on a nice green track and when scores still had to be phoned into Conrad.  On this occasion both Craig and Keith Donohue played for Plympton and not unsurprisingly dad Keith had had a field day.  Afterwards in ear shot of Keith, when Evo was phoning in the scores, it was “bowled Old Man Doners”, “bowled Doners the Younger.”  Keith just looked over and smiled so Evo had to keep it going, he later responded with “not bad for someone who is supposed to have retired as a bowler.”

Whilst the club’s only Great Escape in 2008 will be mentioned later.  Torquay United over the years are well known for it and Evo remembers the one in 2001 – a last day win away to Barnet.  On the cricketing front Torquay were away to Exeter and Tim Robinson unfortunately injured his knee – Evo in his capacity as First Aider went on to assist with a Walkman (remember them) clipped to belt and can always remember Pete Needham asking the score – never mind about Tim’s knee!

Turning back the clock to earlier in 2001, Evo had an “if I wasn’t before I am now” moment.  Life Membership subscription was announced at the AGM which would make financial sense for Evo to take out but less than 18 hours later his grandma, a former Tea Lady at the club, passed away – let’s just say some inheritance came his way.  That saying, FMD which was about to hit would have paid for it anyway.  FMD which so nearly derailed the 2001 season though impacted Evo physically as come the summer he was effectively doing continuous 7 day weeks so he could get some overtime in while still remaining committed the club on a Saturday.

Returning to the Needham “dynasty”.  Evo remembers the good and bad of Chris – the 11 ball over at Sidmouth when brother Shaun was about to kill him and the knock with the bat that in the Devon Senior Cup at Exeter, he nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.  (Dr Bruce Coleman the opposition scorer agreed a tie though not possible would have been a fair result.)   As for Shaun the one memory Evo has was from 2002 at The Rec against Exmouth – Shaun had never scored a league century and got into the 80s but then got stuck.  Evo admits he had never been so nervous about someone reaching three figures – let’s just say he would have won the fastest figure first with getting the 100 up on the scoreboard!  Sadly, though for Evo never achieved the tick on his bucket list of scoring for a match with all five playing – the best he achieved twice was Dave AKA the Colonel plus three (Shaun AWOL both times) although there was one friendly match that for virtually the whole Torquay innings there was one of the “dynasty” batting.

For many years in the 2000s there was an overseas spinner at a nearby club with a suspect action.  No one had the courage to call him, the only man for the job was “Mad” Jack Neville.  Evo worked with “Mad Jack” and at the start of this particular season (almost certainly 2003) had a conversation, and “Mad Jack” said “he had never had **** while at square leg.”  Evo remembered this and when the bowler came on from the pavilion end to bowl later in the season and he saw “Mad Jack” at square leg.  He knew what was coming and just three balls later let’s just say all hell broke loose!  Evo couldn’t help himself; he texted the DCL Disciplinary Officer who he also worked with along the lines of, “you are going to be busy” with the response coming back, “thanks.”

The above actually brought back a memory of 2002 for Evo when he was magnanimous in defeat despite having just lost to Barton CC at The Rec.  It was a stuffing but because of over rates, Barton actually got deducted two points, which even Evo thought was unfair and talking to Jan Meyer (who had been in the box with him back in 1997) afterwards came out with “I totally agree.”

There was also another local derby when Dave Cadwallader came out with “it is the first time Barton and Torquay have agreed in years.”  Basically, the weather had intervened but both sides wanted to go back out but the umpires refused.  Let’s just say both umpires were never on Evo’s Xmas card list again having really triggered him (the issue of triggering is alluded to later) and one subsequently had counting issues when officiating another match involving Torquay.

Brain Fog which shall be alluded to later meant Evo couldn’t remember the year he first won the Victor Tucker Salver for Club Person of the Year – thankfully he tracked the salver down to the Western residence and Vanessa could answer the question.  It was 2002 and until Joe Thompson won it, Evo was the youngest ever reciepient.

Evo was triggered again in 2004 for the reason which will be alluded to later – only now Evo is starting to understand why in his mid-50s.  It was a 1st XI v club tug of war, the chair at the time throwing his weight wanting Evo to operate the scorebox for a Devon CCC instead of scoring for the 1st XI in Devon Senior Cup match.  Evo had other ideas and stood his ground – must to the disgust of the chair.  He found two brothers to do it; one still plays for the club and other did until he moved up north (their father for a while was the club’s Vice Chair and their mum scored for the 2nd XI).  As for the chair he is well gone having got off his “fat arse” in a huff about another issue – not involving Evo before anyone asks.  At the time of the incident, one respected committee member said, “why don’t you tell him to get off his “fart arse” himself and operate the scorebox.”

Evo ever the one for recording “interesting notes” had one in 2006 when Torquay CC hosted Barton CC and nothing “nasty.”  A record that will surely never be beaten, Bobby Western visited The Rec at about 24 hours old.  (Torquay did actually win the match.)

Now for a bit of trivia.  When did Evo score for a home league match which wasn’t at The Rec?  Well, when The Rec was still recovering from culvert repairs in 2007.  This meant a trip to the University of Exeter Ground at Topsham to take on rather conveniently for them, Exeter CC.