Devon Cricket Board - Son skippering father in Brockman Cup final

Son skippering father in Brockman Cup final

SIXTEEN-year-old skipper Charlie Mitchell will be aiming to lead Abbotskerswell 2nd XI to victory over Dartington & Totnes in tomorrow night’s (Friday) Brockman Cup final at Torquay (6.15pm).
If there has ever been a younger captain in the Brockman Cup final there is no record of it in the competition history book – copies of which will be on sale at £2 each at tomorrow night’s final.
Newton Abbot College student Charlie isn’t the only Mitchell on parade in the final as dad Paul is playing as well.
Mitchell senior – 52 years old and still going strong – has no qualms about playing under his son.
And Paul will be trying to write a piece of history of his own in a competition he admires hugely.
“It won’t be a problem playing under Charlie as he knows his cricket and has been learning all about the game since he was four or five,” said dad.
“Charlie (pictured, below) has got us this far through some tough games, especially Paignton in the second round, so there is no reason why he can’t take us all the way.”
Mitchell last played in the Brockman Cup final way back in 1982 when he was part of the Kingskerswell team who beat St Marychurch by four wickets. He is second from the left in the photo on the left.
Saints made 82, which Kerswell knocked off thanks to Mitchell (24), Dennis Jenkins (33) and an unbeaten 15 from Harry Edwards.
Thirty-two years have elapsed since Mitchell last held the Brockman Cup and he is keen to lift it one more time.
“There is something special about the Brockman Cup as the competition has so much history attached to it,” said Mitchell.
“They started playing for it in 1933 when it really was the first T20 competition and that lovely old cup has been competed for ever since. I bet it could tell some stories about matches past.
“I was fortunate to be asked to play in the 50th and 75th anniversary games celebrating the competition.
“I have the highest regard for the competition and would dearly love to win the cup one more time.”
Mitchell’s 32-year gap between finals is a record of sorts as no one has had to wait that long before appearances before.
However, it isn’t a record for the longest gap between first and last appearances in a Brockman Cup final.
That record belongs to the late Bill Scourfield, who died two years ago aged 95.
Scourfield was a member of the Cockington team who defeated holders Old Mannorians by 29 runs in the second final in 1934.
Scourfield was back at the Recreation Ground another eight times over the next 33 years, culminating in his last final appearance in 1967 for the Chelston team who saw off St Marychurch by seven wickets. Scourfield, who was 50, then, top scored for Chelston with 25.
TEAMS
Dartington & Totnes: Mick Jarvis, Liam Bligh, Kevan Throgmorton, Tom Petherick, James Nicholls, Matt Haw, Josh Thomas, Andy Bligh, Gareth Havard, Glenn Colegate, Mick Rusling. 12th: Neil Colgate.
Abbotskerswell: Charlie Mitchell, Toby Codd, Alex Birt, Aron Owen, Tom Andrew, Gareth Penrice, Paul Mitchell, Hugo Whitlock, James McMurray, Kyle Rich, Matthew Beasant. 12th: Elliott Adams.
Umpires: Peter Hunt & Jim Quin.
Man of the Match adjudicator: Doug Ansley (Stoke Gabriel CC).

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