from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
BATON OF HOPE 2025 VISITING THE REC
The baton will be at The Rec at approximately 10.30am - a member of the Rugby Club clubhouse staff will be walking in with it. It would be good if a few club members could welcome her in - Evo though might be elsewhere as a member of Autistic After Hours is also doing a leg.
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
The club can confirm that Josh Thompson has safely arrived in Australia to continue his cricket education with a winter playing for Oak Park St Francis Cricket Club in Melbourne. Josh’s first preseason match will be next weekend over the border in New South Wales - more details as Evo gets them. The league season for Josh commences the first weekend of October.
Go Well Josh
calling all music lovers - evo needs your help!
Evo as part of his EDI work with Hollacombe CRC wants to make the indoor “net” sessions he has started to run even more inclusive especially for those who might not like cricket or are unable to particiate but like music. The compilation CD he is putting together is 60% complete but it missing a few vital tracks:
Soul Limbo by Booker T. & the M.G.'s [BBC Cricket]
Mambo No 5 by The Mambo Kings [Channel 4 Cricket]
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Kumbaya My Lord [any version]
BBC Wimbledon Theme
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
The last three on the list might not be so obvious but Evo does have his reasons – just trust him!
So if anyone can help Evo either by lending him CDs or helping him to download directly onto his laptop he will greatly appreciate it and can be contacted nevanson@hotmail.com. Evo has a month to complete the CD.
let’s support national sporting heritage day 2025 - tuesday 30 september
https://bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/83803591956?pwd=tM5BtY3IMxzekca9IQznJv6Amnrop4.1
With the re-introduction of W&G cricket at The Rec this year, why not listen to this zoom call between 5pm and 6pm on Tuesday 30 September? The report being discussed is:
25 Years of the Scotland Women’s Cricket Team
TWO NEW SIGNINGS ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE
The club’s Registration Liaison Officer can confirm the first two transfer requests for players wanting to join the club have been submitted to the DCL within the last 30 minutes. More news when the transfers have been completed.
evo now known as “THE cricket man”
Winter nets have already started well at Hollacombe Community Resource Centre.
Evo has just started a monthly session to keep the momentum going over the winter. Already his has a hard core of clients wanting to hit a ball (well plus some staff) and one client now refers to him as “The Cricket Man.” For Evo it is all about the clients laughing and smiling. Evo already has a cunning plan to turn future sessions into a T20 atmosphere to make them even more inclusive.
GOT YOUR TICKETS YET!
https://www.tkcricket.co.uk/events-1
PRESENTATION NIGHT - FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER 2025
GOOD LUCK JOSH THOMPSON
Just prior to flying out to Australia to continue his cricket education, Josh Thompson, will be representing Devon U18s in the semi-final of the Vitality U18 County T20 Cup against Norfolk at Kibworth CC. The winners will either face Berkshire or Cheshire.
The match can be followed via the following link:
CALLING PROSPECTIVE UMPIRES – LADIES AS WELL!
The Devon Association of Cricket Officials are running the following two entry level courses:
https://www.devoncricket.co.uk/ecb-umpiring-course
https://www.devoncricket.co.uk/ecb-umpiring-course
FEMALES ONLY
The club are willing to pay for anyone who is interested with the proviso they commit to umpiring or the club – something which Evo has mentioned in his weekly blog over the last season.
THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER
Sadly, there is no good news from Headingley on Sonny Baker’s England ODI debut – possibly as a result of the Sky commentator’s curse on players this season - not doing well after being interviewed pre-match. That saying Mike Atherton was very complementary about how well Sonny interviewed.
Prior to play, Sonny was presented with his England cap by fellow Manchester Original and King’s College Taunton old boy Josh Buttler.
South Africa won the toss and asked England to have a bat and there was the Great Collapse to 131 all out in just 24.3 overs having been 102 for 4 after 17.2 overs. Sonny was last out for a Golden Duck bowled by Keshav Maharaj.
When South Africa went out to bat, Sonny had the honour of bowling the first over but Aiden Markram took a liking to his bowling and was soon removed from the attack but not before the Sky cameras had zoomed in on Ian and Jackie. Having originally bowled up the hill, he had the courage to comeback for a second spell coming down the hill made by Bob Willis in 1981 namely the Kirkstall Road End. Alas Sonny’s 7 overs went for 76.
Hopefully Sonny will have better luck at the Home of Cricket on Thursday (if selected).
sonny for england!
Simply incredible news:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c2dj96x331xo
CONGRATULATIONS FROM EVERYONE AT TORQUAY AND KINGSKERSWELL CC
THE WINTER MONTHS
Evo as the club’s new rep for Opening Up Cricket would like to highlight the work they do regarding Mental Health. The link to their website is:
As part their new initiative to have a rep in every club they are encouraging members of the clubs to visit another website and do some e-learning as they see appropriate. The link is:
https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training
In the light of the events last night, for which Evo wholeheartedly apologies if he offended anyone whilst also sincerely thanking those who picked the pieces up (they know who they are). Just simply in counselling speak, “his cup reached the point it overflowed,” so he would both professionally and personally encourage all members to visit the website highlighting particularly the following course:
https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/social-isolation-training
As Evo went onto say, “sadly as the winter months approach especially for those members who live alone it is generally out of sight out of mind which is common issue with so many clubs so needs addressing across the whole of cricket.”
DEVON CRICKET LEAGUE 2025 - ROUND 18
1ST XI
The 1st XI were due to host champions elect, Hathereigh CC 1st XI, still needing a point to banish the threat of relegation and Hatherleigh needing just 5 for the title. With the weather having hit West Devon, “they think it’s all over”, well it was T&K safe and Hatherleigh up as champions – congratulations to Hatherleigh. It has to be noted some T&K players had started to drink before the match was officially called off. So for next season we lose Hatherleigh CC 1st XI, Tavistock CC 1st XI, Plympton CC 1st XI and Barton CC 1st XI. In their place are Heathcoat CC 1st XI (hopefully with their new pavilion), North Devon CC 1st XI, Budleigh Salterton CC 1st XI (with their new pavilion now fully functioning) and Ivybridge CC 1st XI.
2ND XI
The 2nd XI were to travel to take on Plymouth CC 2nd XI who were already promoted – the call to abort their journey west soon came. Next season they will lose Hatherleigh 2nd XI, Plymouth CC 2nd XI, Kenn CC 1st XI and Babbacombe CC 1st XI. In their place are Paignton CC 2nd Xi, Plymstock CC 2nd XI, Abbotskerswell CC 2nd XI and Tavistock CC 2nd XI.
3RD XI
The 3rd XI played host to North Molton CC 1st XI with both sides desperate to for differing reasons. Remarkably after taking an early team. Although the match only lasted 9 overs, it was mission accomplished for North Molton CC 1st XI – up as champions by just 1 points – congratulations to North Molton. Which division the 3rd XI will be playing in next season is currently unclear with the 4th XI already in H Division Central.
4TH XI
The 4th XI set sail to take on Teignmouth and Shaldon 3rd XI but no play was possible. So congratulations to Ollie Smith who proved the doom mongers with the 4th XI surviving the season after a few close shaves! Onwards and upwards as they say.
Player of the Day
Insufficient play.
Spectator Watch
Well he didn’t get to see any play but mention must be made of Nick Rogers the Chair of both the DCL and Hatherleigh CC, who made the trip down to the Rec on the “Booze Bus” – hope Sleepy had sufficient umpires for all the DCL fixtures! Its first stop on its way back apparently was the Devon Dumpling. A certain Mr Rogers couldn’t though remember when Hatherleigh CC 1st XI first got promoted to the top division of the DCL – Evo knew even without googling it!
passenger back in devon squad
Harry Passenger has been recalled to the Devon CCC squad for their final 3 day Divisional Match against Oxfordshire CCC starting on Sunday at Sidmouth CC - so no Chilli and Lager on Saturday night (plus early to bed)! It will almost certainly also be the last chance to see Matthew William Thompson formerly of this parish turning out for Devon CCC in Devon.
AUTISM AWARENESS TRAINING FOR MEMBERS
Evo over the winter is planning to facilitate Autism Awareness Training for club members. As yet it is undecided whether it will be via Teams or face to face, but Evo knows two organisations that are willing to assist. If it is face to face, Evo has also already found two other sports clubs willing to share the sessions and therefore the use of their facilities for free. There will be more news on the training from Evo as plans are firmed up. Finally, as Simon Rice said, “it would be good to help those of us who have not fully understood Autism to be educated.”