Great day out at Lord's for Devon's unsung heroes at NatWest OSCAs lunch

Charlie Dagnall (left) chatting to England World Cup winner Chris Woakes at the OSCAs lunch

UNSUNG cricket heroes from all over Devon were honoured at the annual NatWest OSCAs luncheon hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board at Lord’s.

The NatWest OSCAs – it stands for Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards – are the game’s way of saying thank-you to the backroom girls and boys whose volunteer work makes clubs tick.

Devon officials poured over dozens of nominations earlier this year to find county winners in six different categories. The nominees went forward to the national award-giving ceremony at the home of cricket.

Braunton's Dan Brierley (left) poses with Chris WoakesEngland’s World Cup winner Chris Woakes was the guest of honour who handed out the national awards. Charlie Dagnall, the ex-Leicestershire and Warwickshire fast bowler, now a commentator on Sky Sports, was the master of ceremonies.

Although none of Devon’s six nominees won a national award, they were wined, dined and feted by officials from the England & Wales Cricket Board for their commitment to their clubs and the game.

Jan Meyer, who has served Barton in numerous capacities from barmaid to secretary for more than 40 years, was nominated by Devon as a lifetime achiever in the game.

Braunton’s outgoing 1st XI skipper Dan Brierley was Devon’s nominee in the pro-active leadership section for his work on and off the field stabilising then regenerating the club after a period of decline.

Hatherleigh’s Niall Leahy is a man of many parts. He coaches across the youth section at Hatherleigh, starting with the All Stars intake before adding the under10s and the 13-plus Academy youngsters to his commitment. He was nominated in the young volunteer category (18-25).

Imogen Oldfield dived into her role as All Stars activator at Seaton with huge enthusiasm. She organises soft-ball tournaments, arranges extra practice sessions. She was the young (14-16) volunteer nominee.Imogen Oldfield

Plymouth C hosted two festivals for under eights and under nines as a logical progression from the All Stars programme aimed at primary school youngsters. For youngsters in the 9-12 age bracket, there are informal Saturday morning sessions. Youth co-ordinator Jon Varcoe represented the city side, who were nominated for their inspiring and diverse offer.

Barry Widdicombe was jointly nominated with wife Monica in the heartbeat of the club category. Barry has been club chairman for 28 years. Monica was tea lady for 26 summers before retiring in 2017.

Barry Widdicombe of South Devon CCBarry, who started playing cricket more than 50 years ago while a pupil at Newton Abbot Grammar School, said the whole day had been a tremendous experience.

“We went up the day before and did some sightseeing, including a trip up the Shard,” said Barry, whose daughter Carina accompanied him as wife Monica was poorly.

“Part of the day was a guided tour around Lord’s – that was interesting – then we went in for lunch and the speeches.

“Although I wasn’t lucky enough to win my category – no one from Devon was a winner – that did not matter as it was a marvellous day out.”

Jim Wood, the former chairman of the Devon Cricket Board and current chairman of the ECB’s recreational cricket assembly, was among the hosts at the event.

Wood said: “All Devon’s nominees deserve this public pat on the back for the work they put in.

“No one works countless hours for their club expecting recognition – and it is very easy to forget how important they are.

“At a time when it is increasingly hard to find volunteers, events such as the OSCAs are a very vital and public way of saying thank-you to the people who keep clubs going.”

Barton's Jan Meyer (left) and guest Ellen Grindley pose with the Cricket World Cup won by England in the summer