Octogenarians drafted in by Yelverton using DCL's new player loan scheme

Geoff Husband, still going strong aged 84

WHEN Yelverton 3rdXI captain Chris Vinson needed reinforcements for the game against South Brent last Saturday he drafted in a couple of super veterans.

Vinson only had nine men for the trip to Palstone Park for the Tolchards Devon Cricket League game in the H Division West.

The Devon League introduced a loan scheme for clubs in the lower divisions this season to combat a growing problem raising sides. It follows the format used successfully over the border in Cornwall.

And when Vinson found himself short handed he took advantage of the loan scheme to draft in opening batsman Charles-Barrie James and wicket-keeper Geoff Husband.

James is 85 and Husband, the former Cornwall Over-50s’ captain, turns 84 in early August. Yelverton regular Brian Spear, a mere stripling at 71, was at the other end when James opened up, which gave a combined age of 156 for the opening pair!

Table-topping South Brent totted up 285 for two when they batted – opener Chris Round making a century  - then dismissed Yelveton by 78 to win by 202 runs.

It may have been was a bit of a drubbing, but the important thing for both sides was to get the game on.

Vinson said the octogenarian duo whose home club is Gunnislake did more than just make up the numbers.

“It is fantastic that these guys are not just keen to play this game we all love but can still offer a very useful role within a team,” said Vinson.

“Charles opened the batting for us and scored six and Geoff kept wicket and also batted and scored seven. That was great especially when we only scored 78 as a team.

“We are always keen to get a game on and we have no restrictions on who we will consider playing. We were delighted to have them both play for us and we will endeavour to get them more games when we can.”

Husband kept wicket for the Cornwall senior side for two seasons in the early 80s and showed he was still comfortable with the gloves on by only conceding two byes.

The retired teacher who lives in Callington has been playing cricket for more than 70 years and shows no signs of stopping just yet.

“My reflexes are not bad, my hands are still good but my legs are starting to go,” said Husband.

“Barrie-James has got an artificial hip and a pacemaker and he is still playing quite regularly.”

Husband started playing cricket at school in Cheltenham aged 11 and, apart from a brief break when tennis was is summer game, has played cricket ever since.

Since arriving in Cornwall as young maths teacher in 1960, Husband has been a member of Tavistock (twice), Callington (twice) Lanhydrock, United Services, Menheniot and finally Gunnislake for the past 10 years.

Midweek cricket with the Mount, Cornish Crusaders, Devon Dumplings and the Cornish Choughs helped Husband fill the school summer holidays.

Husband was also, player, captain and team manager for Cornwall’s over-50 and over-60 sides for a staggering 28 years. He has a certain durability on the sports field, having been a rugby referee in Devon for 30 years.

Husband said introducing loan schemes in Cornwall and Devon prevents sides having to travel long distances with eight of nine players for an inevitable drubbing.

“A lot of clubs in the lower divisions are in the same boat,” said Husband.

Clubs lower down the Devon League ladder have been taking advantage of the loan scheme, although it does produce the odd anomaly.

Husband was ‘loaned’ to Kenn 2ndXI recently and found himself keeping wicket against Yelverton.