Devon Cricket Board - Devon's 'Golden Oldies' still sparkling

Devon's 'Golden Oldies' still sparkling

Devon Seniors, as they lined up recently to play an Australian touring side in a special match to mark the 90^th birthday of Stuart Mountford, a former Devon player and father of Seniors player Nigel Mountford. Back row, left to right: Dave Amery, Stuart Lott, Barry Flicker, Jeremy Parr, Neil Matthews, Roger Wensley, Stuart Munday; front: Gary Kennard, Nigel Mountford, Stuart Mountford, Doris Mountford, Peter Shepherd, Brent Howard

TALK about golden oldies! There’s just no stopping Devon's cricketing senior citizens this season.

For Seniors cricket is one of the success stories in Devon cricket this year.

Devon Seniors has runs four teams - and Over-60s 2nd XI was set up in 2012 and an Over-50s 2nd XI this season - and all of them are heading for the play-offs in their respective competitions.

The Over-50s 1st XI compete in the ECB 50s championship and qualified from their regional group to the National play-offs. They recently beat Wales at Shobrooke Park to progress to the last eight in the country.

The Over 50s 2nd XI only need to beat Wales next week to finish top of their group and could play in the final against the team finishing top in the Eastern group.

The Over 60s 1st XI finished top in the National Spitfire Over 60's Championship and play Bedfordshire at Shobrooke Park on Tuesday.

A win over Bedfordshire will send Devon to Kent in the last eight nationwide.

Rob Newing (pictured, left) has had an outstanding season for the Over 60s, scoring more than 500 runs and leading the national batting averages at 125.

The 60s 2nd XI have won their group and qualified for the play-offs where they will meet Yorkshire on a neutral venue with the date to be decided.

It's not all about winning silverware for the seniors - they like to enjoy the traditional side of cricket as well.

The 50s and 60s have toured overseas on the past and intend retracing their steps next summer to Canada.

'With the substantial increase in members and players it was felt after a two-year interval another overseas tour would be a great way to continue the success and bring players together for a two- week tour,' said Seniors' chairman Chris Theedom.'

'It was decided by the committee that it was time to return to Western Canada in late July, early August in 2014.

'Unprecedented number of players, wives, scorers and umpires have already shown their interest visiting Vancouver, Victoria on Vancouver Island and a trip to the Canadian Rockies before returning home.

'British Columbia Cricket Association are delighted to welcome us back and fixtures have already been provisionally agreed.

'Many of the tourists visiting for a second time will be looking forward to meeting up with so many good friend that we made on our last tour in Canada in 2009.'

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773