Hatherleigh's Mick Massey plays his final match for the club at the age of 89

On Wednesday 17^th August, Mick Massey played his last match for Hatherleigh CC at the age of 89.

A presentation was made to him in the tea interval of the match against Old Leightonians.

Mick played his first senior game of cricket at the age of 13 in 1946 as an opening batsman for Bluebell Hill Cricket Club in Kent, where he played for many years during his employment in the Printing Trade. He also played for Lambeth in South London.

Later he developed the art of slow spin bowling and was good enough to be invited on a private tour of the West indies under the leadership of Joel Garner the famous West indies and Somerset bowler. Mick speaks excitedly about this tour and has nothing but admiration for Garner, not only as a cricketer, but as a warm hearted man.

Having moved to Okehampton, Mick made his debut for Hatherleigh in 1995 at the age of 62, since when he has gained a reputation as a very cunning and successful slow spin bowler. Mainly playing midweek against touring teams, many of whom visit each year, he became the scourge of many of their best batsmen, completely bamboozled by the flight and turn he delivered. Both within Hatherleigh Club and amongst these touring teams he earned himself the nickname of “Legend”.

His statistics are there for all to see and they are remarkable, over 300 wickets after the age of 62!

At the presentation by Club President Brian Lynds, Mick paid tribute to “the best club he had played for” and thanked everyone for supporting him, particularly in the field!

"Apart from his cricketing prowess, Mick is an absolute delight of a man. Intelligent and correct in all he does, I have never heard him speak ill of anyone on a cricket field. The worst I heard was 'he is a bit of a so and so'!" - David Manning