- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Team Townsend – The Graeme Townsend XI, including brother Gareth (third left, front) and dad Terry (second from right)
AS the skies cleared at Knightshayes for the annual Graeme Townsend Memorial Match last Sunday, you couldn’t help but wonder if the outfielders had already picked themselves, based on who emerged from the cars, writes a special correspondent.
Former Heathcoat players Gareth Townsend and John Hurley played alongside their sons, while Harrison Folland accompanied his dad Nick, as he attempted to press rewind to re-live his glory days at Devon and Somerset!
As with all these matches the toss meant less than who might survive injury as the Graeme Townsend X1, started well through the combination of John Hurley (23) and son Joe (27), before a brief cameo from Nick Folland (7), showed those present that he had lost none of his nimble footwork against spin!
It was left to former Somerset batsman Gareth Townsend (34no) to hold things together at the end, well supported by his son Ben (7no), who had no problem in taking control of the running, much to his father’s distress.
Father and son are pictured right on their way off at the end of the innings.
A final total of 150-7 in 30 overs looked likely to provide a decent test and this proved correct as a combination of solid batting and Folland keeping wicket in a way that caused one supporter to suggest that he ‘couldn’t keep beer cold in the fridge’, kept the match in the balance.
An excellent opening spell from Jack Townsend (6-0-19-0) kept things tight and the outcome went down to the last over, where Heathcoat opening bowler Jamie Drew smashed a six down the ground to end the fixture in style and see the Heathcoat X1 triumph by one wicket, with 4 balls to spare.
It was a fitting tribute to Graeme, who put so much into the club over the years before sadly passing away from muscular dystrophy, and the latest in a long line of matches that recognised his commitment to the game of cricket.
The victorious Tiverton & District XI after Jamie Drew hit a six to win the game
