Cricket Friendly

Menheniot v Cockington (Torquay)

Last Sunday, Menheniot ventured into Devon to the picturesque village of Cockington, Torquay, to play the local side. On winning the toss, skipper Bill McLoughlin elected to bat, with openers Melvyn Rigler and John Massey putting on 68 for the first wicket, before the latter was out for a positive 40. Despite the skipper's ploy of attempting to put father and son in to bat at the same time, his idea failed to work, as John and Jeremy Randle managed just two balls together! Hugh Rogers with 23, Rigler (26), Stuart Taylor (15) and finally John Randle smashing 28, colluded to a total of 164 all out.

Cockington then had to face the opening bowling attack of John and Jeremy Randle. John showed his son the secret of pace bowling, by clean-bowling his victims to eventually finish with 3-21 from nine overs. First change Mike Strand (minus his son Jonathan) again followed Randle Senior's example by simply bowling straight to finish with 3-7 off six overs. It was a pity that Jonathan wasn't there to watch and learn. Rogers bowled his economical stint of five overs ending with 2-13 as well as taking a magnificent backward running catch.

Cockington were bowled out for 104, giving Menheniot a 61 run victory. The actual setting to the ground added a spectacular backdrop with the large manor house, splendid grounds and the sound pony and trap clip-clopping in the grounds.

On a family note, Menheniot must boast of strong ties with the number of father and son players within the club. Daddy of them all is Keith Goldsmith, who was instrumental in initiating and successfully obtaining the lottery grant to build the new pavilion. He also looks after the ground with his sons Ian, Mark and Phillips all playing. Margaret, Keith's wife, has done the teas for many seasons but is now a 'registered' baby sitter to her grandchildren.

Andy Taylor captained the first team for many seasons with his son Stuart knocking on the first XI door. Keith Maiden and son Michael have played in the same Second XI team for several seasons. Alan Sedgley has been joined recently by his son, James, and Andrew Keeble has occasionally accompanied his father in the Second XI. Alec Tunnadine has played in the same team has his step-father Hugh Rogers whilst young Jonathan Strand, a bowler by trait, has been shown how to bowl straight by his father, Mike, on one or two occasions.

Allowing for Lorain Taylor, Andy's wife or Stuart's mother, as second team scorer, Ronda Maiden having done teas for many seasons, there is still room for siblings Jim and Mike Harrison. Menheniot can truly boast of family ties with most of the player's spouses supporting their husbands, sons or brothers either behind the scenes or otherwise.

Result - Menheniot 164 (J Massey 40, M Rigler 26, H Rogers 23, S Taylor 15, Jo Randle 28). Cockington 104 (John Randle 3-21, M Strand 3-7, H Rogers 2-13, A Tunnadine 0-4 (from five overs)

Menheniot won by 60 runs.