The Seniors County Cricket Championship

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Obituaries

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Hugh Symes RIP

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Sporta StoneHill

It is with great sadness that we report that our much admired member, Hugh Symes, passed away on Christmas Eve following a short battle with cancer.

Hugh played much of his club cricket for Leatherhead Cricket Club excelling with both bat and ball.

Hugh was, until last season our Surrey Seniors chairman and for many years a regular player in our 60+ and 70+ teams.  Hugh was also an SSCA main committee member and auditor.  We have lost a great supporter and a very fine man.

Our thoughts and condolences go to Hugh’s wife Diana, his daughter Rebecca, son Jonathan and the new baby grand-daughter.

PAUL MUSTOE RIP

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All those who have played cricket with Paul Mustoe in recent years will be deeply saddened to learn of his death, on 26th November, after a long illness which was known only to his very closest and dearest. Paul, it seems, wanted to just get on with life and the game of cricket which he loved, squeezing the most out of every season.

 Paul played with distinction for Bedfordshire Seniors, at over 50s, over 60s and over 70s levels. He was a talented allrounder, obdurate batsman, excellent fielder, with a safe pair of hands in the outfield, and he was a left arm spinner with a bit of mystery in his deliveries which often baffled the opposition batsmen, and, possibly Paul himself at times. In his enthusiasm he has been known to bowl six different balls in an over. He was regularly available to play the sport he loved and he gave his all to each and every game. Only two years ago he scored an excellent 147 against Norfolk.

Beyond this Paul was popular with his colleagues who shared his love for the game and also each opposition team, because Paul would readily engage in post-match conversations and reflections on the noble game.

Our Sympathies and condolences are extended to Elaine, Paul’s wife, and their family.

On behalf of Bedforshire Seniors

Richard ‘Dick’ Murphy RIP

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Surrey Senior Cricketers are sad to announce the death of Richard (Dick) Murphy as a result of a brain aneurysm last week. He was a stalwart of Claygate CC and Surrey Seniors Cricket for many years.
Dick was an all-rounder who could be relied upon to make runs anywhere in the batting order. He was also a very competent off-spinner who took wickets regularly and bowled with great economy.
In his later years, Dick suffered with several conditions including rheumatoid arthritis but managed to play for Surrey Seniors until the last couple of years during which he captained the Over 60’s 3rd XI, a role in which he was greatly respected.

The funeral service will take place 11am on Friday 25th October at the Church of the Holy Name in Claygate with the committal at Kingston Crematorium.

Dick will be remembered as a gentleman with great humility and a kind and loving member of his family. Our condolences go to Dick’s wife Kathleen, son Richard, daughter Lisa and all the family.

Bill Early
Surrey Senior Cricketers Association

Heather Wilkinson

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On Behalf of Berkshire Seniors

Heather Wilkinson 4th August 2024

Heather was born in 1959 – the youngest of three sisters.

Cricket must have been in her blood because that was her chosen sport in school but In those benighted times she was denied the chance [“cricket is a boys game”] so lacrosse it was – under protest. When she met Simon and they became an ”item” cricket was once more an option. With a score book and pencil she became an undervalued scorer and statistician for a very small and amateur team called Ploughmans in the lower ranks of the Fullers Middlesex League. After two children – who spent a lot of weekends on the boundary edge – she wanted higher things so she went to Lords on a scorers course. At the end, a polite request for “anyone looking for a scorer?” coughed up Ealing Cricket Club and an Ealing legend was born. She scored for their seconds for three seasons, taking over the firsts in 2015 during which she scored their National T20 win at the Swalec stadium. Since then she has scored for Young England Ladies, Middlesex Seconds, MCCYC, Lords Indoor School, Berkshire Seniors, Essex Seniors and the Malta Seniors Festival, amongst others.

She died peacefully in her sleep in hospital on August 4th. Much loved and much missed

Rita Walton

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We are sad to announce the passing of Rita Walton. Rita started scoring when she married Mike in 1983 and thought ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’. She scored for Hurley CC for 40 years and was well known not only for her coloured pens, but also her bright red hair and painted nails as well as an array of colourful hats, scarves and fleeces to ward off the cold at early and late season matches. When Mike became old enough to play over 50s cricket, Rita became the scorer for the Berkshire 50+ 2nd XI who she regarded as ‘her boys’ and continued to score for them up to the end of 2023, culminating with their appearance in the 50+ 2nd XI Championship final against Essex, which was her last ever match. In more recent years, she scored for Berks 60+ teams as well as Bucks 60+ and 70+ teams and was well known and loved across the south of England for her sarcastic wit and sometimes acerbic comments. She died peacefully in her sleep on June 29th following a stroke a couple of months earlier. She will missed by all who knew her.

Tony Foster – Hertfordshire Seniors

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It is with deep sadness that i have to inform you of the death of Tony Foster. Tony had been in declining health for a number of years firstly in hospital and then in a care home.

In Herts seniors cricket terms Tony was a pathfinder for Herts Seniors and was involved in both the 50s 2s/60s1s and 70s 1s from their inception and was the original captain of all 3 sides. He captained the 50s 2 from 1998 to 2001, 60s 1s from 2004 to 2006 and the 70s 1s from 2008 to 2013. He first played for our 50s 1s in 1989 and was an automatic choice in the days when we were one of the best in the country. He played 35 50s 1s games, 48 60s 1s games and 85 70s 1s games.

His overall Seniors cricket record is very impressive having played 272 games for Herts and taking 304 wickets at an average of 24.40 and an economy rate of 4.56. He was a very canny bowler. He took 6-7 for our 50s 1s v Leics in 1991 and 7-47 for our 70s 1s v Surrey/Sussex in 2009.

Tony retired from Seniors cricket in 2016 having just toured Argentina in November 2015 with Herts Seniors where once again he performed to a high standard. .After retirement he would often turn up at seniors games to give us support,usually around tea time.!!

Tony was also a stalwart of Hatfield cricket Club where he played for over 50s years and I know where he was highly regarded .

Tony was a true competitor who possessed a dry sense of humour, was a good leader and who was never afraid to voice his opinion. I recall running him out once and he gave me “advice” .at the time and many times since.

Tony you were a true legend and you will be truly missed . We thank you for the work you did for Herts seniors.

Colin Croucher on behalf of Herts Seniors

Roger Milton (Kent Seniors)

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Kent Seniors have the sad news that Roger Milton passed away a few days ago. Roger had been a member of this group for many years and was quite a character. He will be sorely missed by his team mates. We send our condolences to his family.

Howard Smith  

DAVE BARRETT

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(2nd August 1938 – 21st November 2023)

Dave was a much-loved member of Bromley Cricket Club for the past 50 years, Dave was also a well-known and popular character in the Kent cricket community and played in the first successful 50+ Team that won the National Championship, making many friends during the course of his playing career and afterwards. He continued his playing career into the Kent 60+ Team and retired in 2004. He will be missed by so many.


 Howard Smith (Kent Seniors)

Rinaldo Frezzato RIP

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It is with huge sadness that we advise you of the passing of ‘Ronnie’ Rinaldo, one of our dear friends in Surrey Senior Cricket. Ronnie captained our fledgling 60+ 4th XI until last season, securing its place in our cricketing family and giving regular cricket to a lot of our senior members. He was an integral member of our senior cricket tours, holding the position of ‘fines master’. As a retired schoolmaster he delivered his fines post match for any misdemeanor, as he saw it, with some relish and if you argued the fine was immediately doubled. A popular man, he will be remembered for his humour, loyalty and kindness. We have lost a very good friend.

Bill Early on behalf of Surrey Seniors 

Vice Presidents

Scyld Berry, Henry Blofeld, Roland Butcher, Paul Farbrace, Barry Hearn OBE, Sir Tim Rice

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