President’s Game
On Sunday August 25th the annual President’s Game, dedicated to the memory of Gary Small, was played at Earl Stonham Cricket Club.
The weather was glorious, in stark contrast to last year’s wet event, and two sides played a good-humoured ‘Double 15-over’ game which was enjoyed more by some than others. The latter group includes some whose playing days are mostly behind them but who played their part willingly in the afternoon’s entertainment.
This event is sponsored by the Porch family who were represented at different times of the day by Jane, Sharon, David and Daniella, and on the field by Ollie, though, sadly, our President, Tony, was unable to be with us due to continuing ill-health.
This year it is 30 years since the re-formed Earl Stonham Cricket Club played its first fixtures after the departure of Stowmarket CC to Chiltern Fields. They had used the Earl Stonham ground as their home for many years.
To mark the ’30 Years On’, invitations were sent out to ex-members for whom we had some means of contact and it was good to see Graham Bosher, Tom Bosher, ‘Deanie’ Dix, Billy Dix, Dave Foster, John Player, David Wicks, Roger Double, Jeff Lewis, Mike Stickland, Duncan Turner and Stuart Turner there, the last five of whom played in the game.
Pride of place in the attendance stakes goes to Howard Newton who is now resident in the Dordogne but risked all with Ryanair to come across and join us for the afternoon, accompanied by another past member, Peter Wilkinson, and his wife Kay. Top effort Howard!
Among the past members from furthest back, Colin Edgar takes the honours having played for ESCC, in its previous incarnation, during the 1950s. John Player was also at the meeting in late 1988 when the decision was made to re-form the club.
On warm days like Sunday the club bar proves its value and we had record takings which kept the Treasurer very happy!
With a good group of spectators, several of them members of the Player family, watching from the relative cool of the shade under the trees around the boundary, and the ground itself in tip-top condition, the scene was wonderfully timeless – a village cricket ground in festive mood with all ages from the very young to those of more senior years enjoying the occasion.
The loudest applause of the afternoon however was for England’s unlikely victory at Headingley which added further to the feel-good factor of the occasion!
Trevor Spall, Hon. Chairman, ESCC
