Alphington & Countess Wear welcome back batsman Jon Hill after seven-year absence

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

STROKEMAKER Jon Hill is poised to return to the Tolchards DCL with Alphington & Countess Wear in the D Division East this summer after a six-year break from the game.

Hill last played for Alphington back in 2014, long before the merger that brought the two friendly rivals together in 2020. He caught the eye with a decisive half-century in a narrow win over promotion-bound South Devon.

Hill is a sportsman for all seasons – rugby is his other passion – and in recent years the oval-ball game has taken priority.

Jon Hill - back on the cricket pitch | @ppaukHaving gone more than a year without any meaningful rugby, Hill has been up in the loft and dug out his cricket bag.

“Either it is a mid-life crisis or I have been starved of competitive sport for too long,” said Hill, who is coach at Western Counties rugby club Tiverton.

“Seriously, I am just keen to play some competitive sport with good friends James Bogue and Alan Davey.”

Hill the rugby player was good enough to play for Exeter in the days before they were the Chiefs. He switched to coaching early and enjoyed success with Cornish All Blacks and Exmouth before moving to Tiverton.

Before catching the rugby union bug Hill played football for Leeds United in one of their youth teams.

Hill the cricketer grew up in Yorkshire and played age-group cricket in the county schools set-up. He also represented the league he played in at under-19 level.

When teacher Hill first moved to Devon more than 20 years ago he appeared in Premier cricket for Seaton for a handful of seasons around his rugby commitments.

“I was on teaching practice at Colyton Grammar School with Jeff Robinson (ex-Sidmouth and Tiverton rugby player) and he persuaded me down to Seaton,” said Hill.

Skipper Bogue said Hill has shown before he has a lot to offer, not just with a bat in his hand.

“Jon us a great coach, an all-round sportsman and will be a good addition to the club,” said Bogue.

“He is already thinking about putting the lads through a pre-season boot camp to help lose the additional lockdown tyre… or two.”