District XI claim narrow win in Townsend Memorial Cup game at Heathcoat

Jim Cridland and his winning team

JIM Cridland was the winning captain in this season’s Graeme Townsend Memorial match at Heathcoat.

The game, still going strong after 19 seasons, remembers Heathcoat’s former secretary, scorer and county club committeeman, who died in 1999.

Graeme, who was born with a disability, spent much of his life getting around on crutches or in a wheelchair.

He shared the family passion for cricket – dad Terry played, so did brothers Gareth and David – and expressed it as an administrator.

Every year since Graeme died, friends and former clubmates have got together late in the season to play a game in his memory.

Cridland skippered the District XI that beat the Townsend Select XI by one wicket in a 30-over match.

Bob Eames, the former England Over-60s’ batsman, top scored for the Townsend XI with 39 in a total of 178.

Jake Stoneman led the District XI chance with 55 and when he was obliged to retire, James Gregson (35) and Richard Pugsley (22no) got the side over the line.

Yet again it was a close finish, in the traditions of the game.

“A couple of runs or one wicket,” there is seldom much in it, said Graeme’s dad Terry. “We have even had a couple of ties.”

Terry said he feared the game may be running out of steam after nearly two decades, but the players are telling him otherwise.

“The guys all enjoyed themselves so much they want to come back next year and play at least a T20 game, “ said Terry.

“It is wonderful to see the younger ones keen to play and being encouraged by the more experienced players on both sides, not just their dads!

‘Next year we will celebrate 20 years of true competition and friendship as well as a game played in great spirit.”

Terry said the game is only possible due to the support of Heathcoat CC, players, umpires and scorers ‘and our loyal band of supporters’.

Townsend XI 178-5 (G Townsend 37, M Parkes 44, B Eames 38, N Folland 22; P Stoneman 2-22), Tiverton District XI 179-9 (Jake Stoneman 55 ret, J Gregson 35, W Thompson 30. R. Pugsley22no; G Townsend 3-36, N Folland 2-23).

Gareth Townsend (front, middle) and team-mates in the beaten Graeme Townsend Select XI