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Although I was born in Brixham, I have spent the majority of my
life outside Devon both at school and then running pubs and
hotels with my wife Tricia. Therefore I used to follow Devon CCC
online watching the matches with great interest. Since retiring,
and now living in Shaldon, I have made up for lost time by not
missing a home game in six years while also attending one three
day away match each season.
My favourite grounds are Sidmouth and Sandford, where you can
stand behind bowler’s arm at one end and not be seen by the
batsman; and yes, the local cider here is a real plus!
Individual performances which have stood out for me are:
• Zak Bess with bat and ball in the second innings against
Cornwall in 2016;
• last season brother Josh with his double century also
at Sidmouth;
• and Tom Lammondy’s effortless hundreds in both innings
against Wales and he had just turned 17 years.
What a future “Lammers” has!
It must have made all Devon supporters proud when in early
September Ben Green made his CC debut for Somerset, which
meant there were five Devon lads in the team against Lancashire.
My other interests are giving a little white ball a smack out at
Bovey Tracey Golf Club; supporting Buckland Athletic FC, near
Newton Abbot; and walking the dogs on Dartmoor. Tricia is
involved in voluntary work for Children’s Hospice SW and can often
be found in its shop in Teignmouth.
As from the 2020 season, there are going to be several changes
in the organisation and set-up of Minor Counties Cricket. What I
would like to see happening are the finals of the one day games
being played at a neutral ground midway between the two
competing finalists teams.
Keith Underwood
Dunroamin’
Picture courtesy of Conrad Sutcliffe.