from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
HANKS AT 30!
The summer of ’96 will always be nationally remembered as the year football came home but for Torqusy CC it was the year the Devon League came home after fourteen long years. The club took a gamble on a young Australian all-rounder from Casino in NSW and just like the Lammonby brothers at Exeter CC, Neil Hancock better known as “Hanks” never went home for cricket (accept briefly around the turn of the New Millenium). To celebrate his 30 years playing in the DCL, Evo has done a short Q&A with Hanks:
1. Over the years you have plied your trade with a few DCL clubs. Without, using a pen and paper, how many is this:
7 – TORQUAY-BUCKFASTLEIGH-SIDMOUTH-PAIGNTON-BOVEY TRACEY-SOUTH DEVON & IPPLEPEN.
2. Many people believe the DCL isn’t as strong as it was because of the restrictions introduced on contracted and overseas players. What is your view on this?
IT HAS PUT A BIG EMPHASIS ON GETTING A VERY GOOD OVERSEAS PLAYER WHICH THEN TAKES A LOT OF THE OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM THE LOCAL PLAYERS TO SHINE AND DEVELOP AND ENJOY THE GAME AS MUCH.
3. Which is the favourite DCL ground you have played on?
SIDMOUTH.
4. What was your brief experience like playing for Somerset CCC and a bit of tester who was the international you got out while playing for them?
SHORT AND SWEET, WOULD’VE LIKED A BIT MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY BUT GRATEFUL FOR A TASTE OF THE NEXT LEVEL. GRAEME HICK.
The second bit was clear a bouncer – for Devon it was Graeme Hick but for Somerset it was Andy Bichel,
5. What was it like scoring an undefeated 50 at The Home of Cricket?
IT WAS AN EXCELLENT DAY AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS NICE TO SCORE A FEW RUNS, THE WIN WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
6. With a big birthday not too far away, do you have any plans to follow in the footsteps of Del Lammonby to play for Devon 50s and if so, do have any ambitions to play for England O50s like Del?
JUST TAKING IT WEEK BY WEEK AT THE MOMENT, THE BODY ISN’T AS FIT AS IT WAS AND IT TAKES A LOT LONGER TO RECOVER WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.
7. Having achieved so much over the years what, if any, playing ambitions do you still have?
I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE PLAYING FOR AS LONG AS I CAN AND MAYBE PLAY A FEW LEAGUE GAMES WITH MY SON, ETHAN.
8. Once you call time on your playing career, could you see yourself becoming a Scorer or Umpire? If so which role?
NO, THE GOLF COURSE WOULD BE MY PREFERRED OPTION,
9. Over the last 30 years who has been your favourite team mate in the DCL?
TOUGH QUESTION, I HAVE MADE A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS, BOTH AS TEAMMATES AND OPPONENTS, WOULDN’T WANT TO CHOOSE A FAVOURITE.
10. For the final question. Simply what is your favourite memory / story over your 30 years playing in the DCL?
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES OVER THE YEARS, WINNING THE LEAGUES WITH TORQUAY, PAIGNTON & SIDMOUTH AS WELL THE MINOR COUNTIES WITH DEVON BUT ONE MEMORY THAT DOES STAY WITH ME WAS THE VERY FIRST LEAGUE MATCH I PLAYED FOR TORQUAY, AWAY TO BARTON, WE WERE BOWLED OUT FOR JUST OVER 100 AND ENDING WALKING AWAY WITH A WINNING DRAW AS BARTON CRAWLED TO 90/9. I REMEMBER THINKING THIS IS A LOT DIFFERENT TO THE STYLE OF CRICKET I WAS USED TO AND WHAT I HAVE I LET MYSELF IN FOR!
FORTUNATELY, THE SCORES IMPROVED AS DID THE RESULTS AND WE WENT ON TO WIN THE LEAGUE.
first steps in cricket FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
Your child(ren) want to try a new a sport whilst also learning new skills and making new friends. Why not in the words of the late great cricket lover, Leslie Crowther, get them to “come on down” to Torquay Recreation Ground for their first taste of the great sport of Cricket:
All Stars Cricket – 5 to 8 year olds
https://ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars/torquay/Course/c0a91fa5-f0ad-42b8-be15-b91b552b34c7
Dynamos Cricket – 8 to 11 year olds
https://ecb.clubspark.uk/Dynamos/torquay/Course/449bcc54-6e49-4929-a5f3-1faea9f531b4
As parents you can comedown of a Friday you can come and watch from the boundary (or even get involved) whilst having a cool beer / glass of wine and eating a delicious burger.
barry davey RIP
The club have been informed tonight of the passing of Barry “Dabber” Davey. “Dabber” played for Kingskerswell CC in the 1980s and 1980s primarily as a right arm seam bowler but while batting frequently “dabbed” the ball between Gully and Backward Point according to Tim Chapman. Before joining Kingskerswell CCit is understood he played for both Wellswood CC and St Marychurch CC. More news on his sad passing as we have it.
fixtures alert
The draw for the new VX3 South Devon T20 was held last night:
Round 1 (16 July) - Paignton (H)
Round 2 (23 July) - Barton (A)
Round 3 (30 July) - Bovey Tracey (A)
Final @ Paignton CC - 16 August TBC
sonny baker retained by the manchester super giants
The auction for The Hundred is continuing but it can be confirmed Sonny has been retained by the Manchester Super Giants for £95,000.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF CRICKET AT TORQUAY RECREATION GROUND BY JACK CRITCHLOW
This year sees the return of Torquay (and Kingskerswell) Cricket Club to its home, The Recreation Ground, on Torquay Sea Front, for the hundredth consecutive season. But it might be worth going back further than 1926 to see how the old ground evolved even before then.
On 24th May, 1888, The Torquay Recreation Ground Ltd. was incorporated, which set about trying to raise the £3000 required to get the ball rolling. The Mallock Estate leased out six acres of land near Torquay Station for 19 years at £52 per annum for the first 14 years, and £65 yearly for the remainder. After such conditions were met a formal opening and rugby match took place on 29th September, 1888, when visitors Newton Abbot beat Torquay. The following year saw five tennis courts open on the site, laid by Curtis, Sandford and Co. Tickets for the season cost ten shillings and sixpence, which also admitted members to all cycling, athletics and rugby events. In the June of 1889 a quarter mile cycle track, 20 feet wide, laid by Webber and Stedhams, was opened for race meetings held by Torquay Cycling Club. 'The Rec's' first grandstand was then built, and a bowling green followed in 1894.
However, because of financial difficulties, in 1896 the Ground was sub-leased to a syndicate at a rent of £110 per annum, but then after a proposal to wind up the company it was decided to re-mortgage. This presented problems so the council stepped in and bought the Recreation Ground on behalf of the people of Torquay to preserve as somewhere that sports and other such pursuits could continue. And in the coming years this would also include the likes of parades and pageants, firework displays and picture shows. The rest, as they say, is history.
On a personal note, I have always had an affinity with the old place, in part due to the fact that my Great Uncle John Hornbrook was a groundsman/caretaker there, his job having been kept open for him while he was away serving in the Boer War (1899-1902), and he brought a monkey back from South Africa which would accompany him to work there every day.
As time moved on invariably changes took place, with Torquay United taking up residence in 1900, paying an annual rent of £5, but for that the club still had to maintain the ground and cut the grass. And there were even problems back then with blocked underground culverts. But in 1904 Torquay Athletic Rugby Club became the new landlords, so United were obliged to make way and find a new home, eventually arriving at Plainmoor in 1910, where they have been ever since, while 'The Tics' flourished on their new ground.
After having played at Windmill Hill and Cricketfield Road from when the club was founded in 1851, Torquay Cricket Club finally took over the other half of the Recreation Ground in 1926. The opening First XI fixture was against Chudleigh, which was won by the home side. However, the umpires reported that as the club anticipated playing touring teams and hosting county matches in the future, then "the Town Council must take steps to materially improve the ground as a cricket field." But on a more positive note it was observed that there were many spectators present, with teas being supplied to them as well as the players.
These would have been served from the rugby club's premises as the cricket pavilion was not built until ten years later, and when it was officially opened by the Mayor of Torquay, Col. Rowland Ward, in 1936, he commented that the club "possessed one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the country."
And even today, 90 years later, The Recreation Ground must still be one of the most stunning sports venues anywhere, bordered as it is by parkland and gardens, with a fine medieval abbey and Victorian railway station for neighbours; and the splendour of the sea just yards from boundary's edge.
Here's to another century at 'The Rec' for Torquay (and Kingskerswell) Cricket Club.
easter coaching courses for years 3 to 8
Following on from their sold out February Half Term Courses, the Devon Cricket Foundation will be running similar courses during the Easter Holidays - perfect timing for the new season, For more details the link is:
SPONSOR A PLAYER FOR JUST £50
For just £50 your brand name and logo will feature on the following:
Line-up announcements every Saturday morning on the club’s social media pages including this website, where posts regularly reach more than 200 views.
“Star Player” posts, should your chosen player score 50 or 100 runs, or take 5 wickets.
Invite to Sponsors’ Day om Saturday 15 August,
Further details on this excellent opportunity to support local sport can be obtained from the Hon, Club Secretary secretary@tkcc.co.uk
shock news
The Business and Facilities Committee are pleased to announce that thanks to a collaboration between the Devon Cricket League and Jay’s Aim Shop, TKCC will have a Defibrillator at the Recreation Ground (there is already one at The Playing Fields, Kingskerswell).
As Evo the club’s Lead First Aider said, “a Defibrillator can save a life. The DCL Chair, Nick Rogers, might not be here today but for one.” In the pre-Defib era, the one fatality Evo can sadly remember though was the former TUFC goalkeeper, Terry Lee, who was playing for Barton CC. Evo went onto to say, “with training they aren’t scary to use so I would encourage any club members to take up the offer of training on this life saving piece of equipment.”
News on who will be its “guardian” and details about training on it will be announced shortly,
draws for local cup competitions
AARON PRINTERS CUP DRAW
Round 1 will see TKCC 1st XI take on Abbotskerswell CC 1st XI away in what could now be the “Battle of the Smout Cooper’s” on Thursday 7 May.
If successful there will be another trip in Round 2 to Teignbridge on Thursday 28 May to take on Ipplepen CC 1st XI aka “Torquay Old Boys”. (Well at once stage recently they could name an entire XI with connections to Torquay CC.)
Should TKCC get to the Semi Final it will be a home match against either Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI or Babbacombe CC 1st XI on Thursday 18 June – Mike Hunt had better make sure he isn’t on yet another holiday!!!
As for the Final it will be held at Bovey Tracey CC on a date TBC (the current cup holders now always host the Final the following year).
BROCKMAN CUP DRAW
Round 1 will see TKCC 2nd XI play host to Teignmouth and Shaldon CC 1st XI on Tuesday 5 May – one can only hope for better light this year with the fixture so early.
If successful in Round 2 there will be a trip to Teignbridge (seems to be a recurring theme) to take on South Devon CC 2nd XI on Tuesday 2 June.
The Semi Finals as usual will be held on Friday 12 and Monday 15 June at Torquay Recreation Ground.
The Final which will presided over by TKCCs very own Mike Hunt will be held at Torquay Recreation Ground on Friday 10 July. Alas the Final does clash with a home fixture for Somerset CCC in the Vitality Blast.
sONNY BAKER IS HOME
The club is relived to announce the repatriation of the England Lions from the UAE was successfully completed yesterday afternoon.
sonny and england lions at the double
The club’s very own Sonny Baker returned to 50 over action with England Lions this morning in the UAE against Pakistan Shaheens in a one sided match - Pakistan all out for just 152 in 38.2 overs with Sonny claiming 2 for 29 in the 8 overs he was required to bowl. England knocked it off for the loss of just one wicket in only 24.2 overs. Sonny should be in action again on Sunday in the 2nd ODI.
AWARENESS SESSIONS
Evo would like to firstly apologise for the delay in the promised talk from Autistic After Hours (AAH). Unfortunately, one of the Directors has had an increased workload over the last few months. However, AAH are hopefully about to secure additional funding which will enable them to enhance their awareness / training sessions they want to hold going forward. When the session is held it will be held jointly with Paignton CC and / or Torquay Tennis Club.
Talking of Torquay Tennis Club, they are arranging a talk from Torbay Prostate Support Association and to ensure sufficient numbers they have invited anyone who is interested from the cricket club to attend. Evo will circulate the date when known but it likely to be early summer. With their new Chairperson as EDI driven as Evo (actually they have just won a Devon LTA award for their work), there will undoubtedly be further invites in the future.
Finally, after his productive meeting with the EDI Officer from Active Devon, who will be visiting the club in the summer. If anyone has ideas for awareness / training sessions, please contact Evo via nevanson@hotmail.com as if the there is collaboration between sporting clubs such sessions could be funded by Active Devon.
INCOMING PLAYER
The club are pleased to formally announce the signing of Ed Smout Cooper from Abbotskerswell CC (transfers only get announced once all the paperwork is completed), Ed a former Devon CCC youth player is the complete all-rounder – a batting (right-handed) wicketkeeper who can also bowl (right arm seam) and has already played midweek cricket for the club. Ed’s highest score is 152 not out against Thorverton CC 1st XI while his best bowling is 5 for 42 against Cornwood 3rd XI. As for Ed’s wicketkeeping credentials – 100 catches and 35 stumpings.
Welcome Ed
TORQUAY RECREATION GROUND LIMITED
When the cricket club and rugby club finally secured a 40-year lease on the Recreation Ground having heard an adaptation of one of Del Boy’s famous quotes for so many years, “this time next we will have a lease” it was necessary to form a company to oversee all the facilities / operations at the Rec, with three members from each club.
One of the originals, Ian Western, is calling time as far as this responsibility is concerned – we thank Ian for all his years’ service as a Director. The two remaining Directors, Simon Rice and Tim Western (like father like son, an original) will be joined by the club’s new highly experienced Chair of Business & Facilities, Dennis Brewer, who was also an original Director before standing down in 2016 to pursue his ambitions in local politics.
Those currently representing TARFC are Jackie Coles (their first ever female Club Chair), Stephen Hanbury and Chris Siddell. (One of their former Directors was a certain Chris Edwards – the last player to play both sports at county level while playing for both clubs.)
For those wondering about the Kings Bowls Club – they simply opted out for logistical / practical / viability reasons.
sonny in the wickets
England Lions go 2-0 up in the three match T20 series against Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE with Sonny taking 2-24 including the match winning wicket for the Lions in their 32 run victory this morning (our time). Sonny will hopefully be in action again in the final match of the series, before the ODIs start, this Tuesday.
EXCITING NEWS!
The club are pleased to announce the return of the Torbay / South Devon T20 Competition and it will be entering. The other three clubs entering are Barton CC and Paignton CC the other two originals from the original competition, and making up the quartet will be new boys Bovey Tracey CC. The round robin fixtures are due to be played on 16th, 23rd and 30th of July with the Finals Day in August which will include a 3rd / 4th place play off. More details on the fixtures will be released in March.
I wonder how many original kits still survive!
To finish on a serious note though one can only hope the club can field viable XIs (and have a scorer in the box) for all fixtures.
NICK GAYWOOD IN CONVERSATION WITH PETER HARDY
For those of you who remember the great Devon CCC side of the 1990s, the above online event is being hosted by The Cricket Society this coming Thursday at 7.30pm (£5 if you aren’t a member of The Cricket Society). Nick was a prolific left handed opening batter during the Golden Era for the county club. The link to booking a ticket is below:
There is actually a rumour circulating that Evo will be submitting a question for his namesake to answer!