Devon Cricket Board - Former Somerset batsman Brian Roe dies aged 75

Former Somerset batsman Brian Roe dies aged 75

FORMER Somerset and Devon batsman Brian Roe, who played cricket for nearly 60 years, died yesterday aged 75.
Roe, who was born in Lincolnshire but brought up in Barnstaple, was recommended to Somerset as a 14 year old and made his 2nd XI debut aged 15.
A compact opening batsman and very occasional bowler, Roe made is First Class debut in 1957 but didn't not become a regular in the side until completing his National Service in the RAF in 1960.
Roe made a total of 132 First Class appearances for Somerset between 1957-1966 - and four more for the Combined Services.
He fell out of favour at Taunton early in the 1966 season and didn't play a 1st XI game again. Roe played Second Eleven Championship and Minor Counties cricket for the rest of the summer before leaving the staff.
Roe returned to Barnstaple where he became and insurance agent, a job that allowed him to play almost as much cricket as he liked during the summer.
Somerset offered Roe the chance to return in 1967, but with a regular job secured as well as a young family, he politely declined.
Somerset hadn't quite seen the back of Roe though as he was lured back in 1969 to play in the Minor Counties team and played another 15 times. His last game was against Wiltshire in August 1970 when he made 79 in the second innings.
Roe returned to club cricket in North Devon, playing for Raleigh and Barnstaple Nondescripts.
He was signed by Devon in 1972 and played 17 games in the Minor Counties Championship over the next three seasons, scoring 992 runs at an average of nearly 40.
It was back to club cricket after that with North Devon, Braunton, Westleigh and finally Barnstaple & Pilton CC. Brian is pictured shaking hands with Bideford's Matt Allin while spectating at Westward Ho!
Roe's love for the game remained undiminished and his solid defence ensured a stack of runs most seasons.
For three seasons running he topped the North Devon League's Division One batting averages - and he was well into his 50s by then!
Roe was still turning out on Sundays in the North Devon League for Barnstaple & Pilton until 2012 - and still scoring half-centuries. He signed off with 85 against Filleigh that August.
Brian Roe was married to Marlene - Somerset president Roy Kerslake was his best man - but the couple later divorced. They had two children, a boy and a girl.

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