WHITCHURCH Wayfarer's Cricket Club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a match between a Present XI and a Past XI.

In the pavilion many happy memories were shared amongst friends old and new. Founding members David Gordon and Frank Toy were particularly welcomed. Good stories abounded from them, Dave Endacott, Stuart Munday, Malcolm May and many others.

Days when no fence formed the boundary, batsmen scored chanceless hundreds, bowlers were unplayable and the catches were sublime.

On the field the Past XI fielded first with Gavin McDougall and Stuart Munday both picking up two wickets. However, nobody could contain Josh Meadows who raced to 129 with 14 fours, six sixes and a bit of luck. A late flurry by Joel Heatley (21) and Marc Kerswell (13) saw the team reach a challenging 218.

After the early loss of Phil Mansfield, Jerry Warland and Dave Watson renewed an old partnership and edged the score towards 50 before Warland misread a delivery and was bowled. After that it was always a struggle.

Tom Gordon, son of David, Jez Stokes and Paul Crocker managed 12 boundaries between them but both fell to Tom Dunne, grandson of the late Den Crocker who would have relished the performance. Tom ended up with the performance of a life-time of 5 for 65 his last victim being big gun McDougall who hit five sixes before being bowled.

The Present XI beat the Past XI by 40 runs but it was the memories retold in the pavilion that helped make this a special day.

Friendly

Whitchurch Wayfarers

v Cornwall Over 50's

THIS annual fixture frequently results in a closely fought game and this one was no exception.

Cornwall batted first and after the early loss of two wickets Philips and Grundy pushed the score along with confidence.

Grundy retired on making 50 and was followed shortly after by Olver who also scored 50.

Only Meadows with 1-14 off 10 overs showed any control and the Cornish Over 50s would have felt comfortable with a final score of 205 on a slow pitch.

In return Smith, Meadows, Hall and Sherrell had other ideas and went at the bowling with real menace. The score raced to 150 and the game appeared over. Despite getting to a reasonable score none of these batsmen went on to a big score and at 150 for 5 the game suddenly changed.

Three more batsmen went for less than ten and with around 30 needed and only two wickets left the advantage had swung back to Cornwall.

Newcomer Booth and veteran Geoff Husband had other ideas. With a bit of luck, but mostly through care and patience, Whitchurch crept over the winning line.

This was an excellent game played in great spirit.