I’ve chosen one this week because it’s topical and although I played in the game it was more a case of seeing it!
The Burton Cup has just been played for again and in a competition first, two teams from the same club competed in the final.
But let me explain. I’m going back to the summer of 1965 and I was playing for Cockermouth 2nds when not working on a Saturday.
One Sunday morning, while quietly reading the papers in the back garden, a face appeared over the fence – Mr Cockermouth Cricket – Raymond Denham. His parents lived next door.
“What are you doing this afternoon?” he enquired. “I’m going down to watch the final,” I responded. Cockermouth were playing Egremont in the Burton Cup final at Sandair.
Raymond responded with: “Bring your gear, you’re playing!” Words that are replayed in my head every time I see Raymond.
It appeared that a veteran Yorkshireman Ernie Waddington had dropped out. I was the 2nd team wicket-keeper but I knew that wouldn’t be my role as the excellent Brian Wilson was playing.
Egremont had been the first winners of the Burton Cup in 1957 and in the two years previous to this final had been the winners. They had one of their best teams, including my old Grammar School PE teacher Arnold Pattinson.
Well they couldn’t deal with Mr Denham on this occasion. He proceeded to take eight wickets and Egremont were rolled over for not a lot – a total in the 50’s rings a bell.
For my part I watched in awe as Raymond did the business from my vantage point – on the boundary under the tree at the Gote end of the ground. I touched the ball twice.
Then our openers, captain Michael Cain and Peter Williams, a school pal, knocked off the runs for a 10-wicket win – and then it was all about collecting the trophy.
The subsequent photograph of the presentation used to hang in the Sandair pavilion until recent alterations. It always brought a smile when visiting for the team is in a semi-circle with Michael holding the trophy in the middle and a young rookie, who had picked up his first cricketing medal smiling like a basket of chips behind the Burton Cup!
