Devon Over 70s
Jeff Baxter
OVER 70s CAPTAIN - JEFF BAXTER - 07739 422460
The Over 70s 2024
The Last Waltz
It's all over now, nothing left to say,
Just the tears & the orchestra playing
“Old age doth in sharp pains abound; we are belaboured by the gout, our blindness a dark profound, our deafness each one laughs about.
The reason's light with falling ray doth but a trembling flicker cast. Honour to age, alas, my seventy years are past.”
My thanks, as ever, to our officials, Keith for umpiring (despite ignoring Law 36.4 – if the ball strikes Tom’s pads, it is Not out)). Also thanks to the scorers, Jan Ashworth, Kath Baxter (and Paul twice and Gazza once).
We came close once or twice to winning, but sadly the season produced not a single victory. Nevertheless thank you, everyone who played: Alastair Ashworth , who stepped in to Captain the team a couple of times (and did just as well as me) along with the core players (alphabetically) :- Jeff Baxter, Paul Berman (whose help behind the scenes is always helpful) Rob Blackwell, Dave Gambie, John Goodwin, Gerry Keen, Roy Page, Ron Seward, Pete Shephard and Pete Whitby.
A mention also to Richard Coe (out with a hip injury on a trip to Abergavenny), John Cranch a couple of games and runs at Exmouth, John Poat as ever dashing around, John Day hot from his allotment, Fred Harding, more games in store next year, Norman Botton despite a dodgy hamstring still bowled well and scored runs v. Berks, and Bob Eames who reappeared to play in the Berks game.
Apologies, yet again to “Leon” and to Royston for always having to submit to the proverbial - at least you won't have to put up with that next year.
Rob Blackwell summed it all up as he went out out to bat at Frocester - "I'm here for a good time, not a long time".
Sorry if I have gone on, but I really do want to thank you all for not giving up. The descent from winning the Vase last year to never-ending defeats this year was difficult. But you turned up, played and tried your hardest. I think this was epitomised by my dear friend Dave Gambie who would have liked to stop after a couple of games, but kept going for the sake of the team.
I really do understand how it strikes at our pride when we can no longer perform like we used to, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you all.
Tom Stanton ( Captain, Devon Over 70's ret’d)
It's all over now, nothing left to say,
Just the tears & the orchestra playing
“Old age doth in sharp pains abound; we are belaboured by the gout, our blindness a dark profound, our deafness each one laughs about.
The reason's light with falling ray doth but a trembling flicker cast. Honour to age, alas, my seventy years are past.”
My thanks, as ever, to our officials, Keith for umpiring (despite ignoring Law 36.4 – if the ball strikes Tom’s pads, it is Not out)). Also thanks to the scorers, Jan Ashworth, Kath Baxter (and Paul twice and Gazza once).
We came close once or twice to winning, but sadly the season produced not a single victory. Nevertheless thank you, everyone who played: Alastair Ashworth , who stepped in to Captain the team a couple of times (and did just as well as me) along with the core players (alphabetically) :- Jeff Baxter, Paul Berman (whose help behind the scenes is always helpful) Rob Blackwell, Dave Gambie, John Goodwin, Gerry Keen, Roy Page, Ron Seward, Pete Shephard and Pete Whitby.
A mention also to Richard Coe (out with a hip injury on a trip to Abergavenny), John Cranch a couple of games and runs at Exmouth, John Poat as ever dashing around, John Day hot from his allotment, Fred Harding, more games in store next year, Norman Botton despite a dodgy hamstring still bowled well and scored runs v. Berks, and Bob Eames who reappeared to play in the Berks game.
Apologies, yet again to “Leon” and to Royston for always having to submit to the proverbial - at least you won't have to put up with that next year.
Rob Blackwell summed it all up as he went out out to bat at Frocester - "I'm here for a good time, not a long time".
Sorry if I have gone on, but I really do want to thank you all for not giving up. The descent from winning the Vase last year to never-ending defeats this year was difficult. But you turned up, played and tried your hardest. I think this was epitomised by my dear friend Dave Gambie who would have liked to stop after a couple of games, but kept going for the sake of the team.
I really do understand how it strikes at our pride when we can no longer perform like we used to, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you all.
Tom Stanton ( Captain, Devon Over 70's ret’d)
Over 70s v Somerset @ North Devon CC, 25 May 2023
A message from our O'70's 1st XI Captain, Tom Stanton on Sep 22, 2022
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Congratulations to the 12 that represented Devon Over 70's in the Vase Final v Somerset at Taunton Deane.
I'd like to thank our umpire Keith Mason, who never missed a game, and also John Smith & Ian Western for stepping in to help our opposition. Thanks too, the scorers, Mike Tracey, Jan Ashworth & Pete "Gaza" Gascoigne. Thanks to Richard Coe for collecting match fees, and to Paul (Leon) Berman for generally helping behind the scenes (and suffering with a smile) the serious abuse I gave him (deservedly, I thought) on a regular basis. I also picked on Roy Page (very deservedly) and Mike Canning ( who needs at least 3 instructions to move position when everyone else moves straight away). I managed to get sponsors for 4 of our Matches, so support from our sponsors, LABDON BUILDING SUPPLIES, BLAMPHAYNE SAWMILLS, INTERLINE BUILDERS MERCHANTS & TAMAR TRADING was very appreciative. |
Tom Stanton
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The 11 that played with me in the final were fantastic, and all have played significant performances throughout the season, Pete Whitby, Ron Seward, Gerry Keen, Richard Coe, Mike Canning, John Goodwin, Mike Giles, Alistair Ashworth, Paul Berman, Ron Blackwell & Dave Gambie. However, we wouldn't be in the final without help from Roger Jones (went to hospital with a head injury when making a catch), Roy Page (who played 7 games) Mike Seal (kept wicket a few times till an achilles injury sidelined him), Andy Rose (Vicar) who helped us in a couple of games. Tom Overthrow (another injured player during a game at Instow), "Gentleman" John Poat who helped us get 11 for one game and ended up playing 6 games.
Then the "one hit wonders", who without, we would probably have had to forfeit some games.
Eddie Clarke (3rd wicket keeper at Exmouth, when poor Mike Seal went off with his achilles injury, Ron Seward kept about 50 overs while Eddie taped up his fingers in order to keep).
This brought on my old mate from the 50's Brent Howard (who only came to watch) but somehow limped on to help so we had 11 fielders (what a star), also in that game Steve Ripley pulled a hamstring taking a catch, but it caused his only appearance. At Filleigh Bob Macey made his only appearance as did Pete Shephard who smashed 60 odd, and dear Keith Hawkins who got smashed in the mouth keeping wicket (a trip to hospital and a hefty dental bill), Mike Tracey, our scorer, who played an earlier game v Somerset and my old mate Dave Smale who played at Instow.
I am really sad that my dear friend Pete Rose (from our days in the over 50's ) couldn't play any games, but it was nice to see him at some of our home games. Winter well Pedro , and I hope to see you soon.
I sincerely hope I haven't missed anyone, I needed you all in order to fulfill some fixtures, and many times it was quite desperate.
I cannot believe how lucky I was to play with such nice people, who were prepared to play for an old curmudgeon.
My thanks to you all, and wish you well for next year.
Tom Stanton
Then the "one hit wonders", who without, we would probably have had to forfeit some games.
Eddie Clarke (3rd wicket keeper at Exmouth, when poor Mike Seal went off with his achilles injury, Ron Seward kept about 50 overs while Eddie taped up his fingers in order to keep).
This brought on my old mate from the 50's Brent Howard (who only came to watch) but somehow limped on to help so we had 11 fielders (what a star), also in that game Steve Ripley pulled a hamstring taking a catch, but it caused his only appearance. At Filleigh Bob Macey made his only appearance as did Pete Shephard who smashed 60 odd, and dear Keith Hawkins who got smashed in the mouth keeping wicket (a trip to hospital and a hefty dental bill), Mike Tracey, our scorer, who played an earlier game v Somerset and my old mate Dave Smale who played at Instow.
I am really sad that my dear friend Pete Rose (from our days in the over 50's ) couldn't play any games, but it was nice to see him at some of our home games. Winter well Pedro , and I hope to see you soon.
I sincerely hope I haven't missed anyone, I needed you all in order to fulfill some fixtures, and many times it was quite desperate.
I cannot believe how lucky I was to play with such nice people, who were prepared to play for an old curmudgeon.
My thanks to you all, and wish you well for next year.
Tom Stanton
CONGRATS TO THE O'70's 1st XI who thrashed Somerset in the Final of the National Vase Competition.
An overwhelming victory put in by the O'70's 1st XI bowling unit, reduced Somerset to 56 all out...
Somerset 56 all out (36 overs) Devon 57 for 1 (19.4 overs)
Played at Taunton Deane CC, Tom Stanton had no hesitation in asking our hosts to bat first when winning the toss. There then followed an incredible dispay of bowling and fielding which resulted in Somerset being bowled out for 56.
Dave Gambie & Alistair Ashworth opened the bowling and set the tone as 7 of the first 14 overs were maidens. Those that then came on followed the skippers instructions of line & lengh resulting in none of the batsmen were able to break loose and score freely.
Paul Berman returned figures of 4 for 5, but every bowler could be proud of their figures. Dave Gambie 2 for 9, Alistair Ashworth 1 for 6, Rob Blackwell 1 for 8, Mike Canning 1 for 5, and Mike Giles 1 for 20.
It then took less than 20 overs to secure a 9wkt victory as Pete Whitby led the way with an undefeated 31, and although Tom Stanton was removed for 10, Ron Seward joined Pete to get the side past the winning post with no further alarms. What a great end to the season which has had its highs & lows.
An overwhelming victory put in by the O'70's 1st XI bowling unit, reduced Somerset to 56 all out...
Somerset 56 all out (36 overs) Devon 57 for 1 (19.4 overs)
Played at Taunton Deane CC, Tom Stanton had no hesitation in asking our hosts to bat first when winning the toss. There then followed an incredible dispay of bowling and fielding which resulted in Somerset being bowled out for 56.
Dave Gambie & Alistair Ashworth opened the bowling and set the tone as 7 of the first 14 overs were maidens. Those that then came on followed the skippers instructions of line & lengh resulting in none of the batsmen were able to break loose and score freely.
Paul Berman returned figures of 4 for 5, but every bowler could be proud of their figures. Dave Gambie 2 for 9, Alistair Ashworth 1 for 6, Rob Blackwell 1 for 8, Mike Canning 1 for 5, and Mike Giles 1 for 20.
It then took less than 20 overs to secure a 9wkt victory as Pete Whitby led the way with an undefeated 31, and although Tom Stanton was removed for 10, Ron Seward joined Pete to get the side past the winning post with no further alarms. What a great end to the season which has had its highs & lows.
