Cumbria’s Over-50s produced one of their best performances in recent years when they beat Durham by 43 runs at Carlisle.
It was a particularly memorable day for Paul McKeown who made a half century and took five wickets and he dedicated his performance to his late father George.
He summed-his feelings after when he said: “I have had some bang-average on a cricket field in 48 years of playing but today was right up there with the very best.
“Days like this just don’t happen very often, if at all – a 50, followed by a five-for, a 95 wicket partnership with Tosh Storey when we were in a pickle and more importantly Cumbria Over-50s beating the mighty Durham.
“What a day, couldn’t be more proud of them Cumbria Over-50s lads. We’ve had some hammering over the years and probably will have some more but you know what, when things aren’t going your way, sometimes, just sometimes someone up there looks down on you and gives you your day in the sun.
“It won’t mean much to most folk but it means a lot to me. A truly grand old day. That was for you dad!”
Paul’s father George, like him played for Workington, and was the one who introduced him to a love of cricket that has endured over the years.
Cumbria had won the toss at Edenside and opted to bat first but were in trouble at 29-4 before Mark Vasey (18) and Phil Oliver (40) steadied the ship.
When they both went, though, the home side were struggling again at 96-6 and that’s when McKeown (51) and Paul Storey (59no) put together a crucial stand of 95 before the innings closed at 226-8 off 45 overs.
Durham’s reply started well enough with the top three all making runs – skipper Alan Unsworth (28), wicket keeper Peter Scott (28) and opener Tony Birbeck (18).
But when they all went wickets started to tumble at regular intervals with Jeff Tudor virtually single-handedly trying to stem the tide.
McKeown took 5-33 from 7.5 overs and when he bowled Tudor for 45 Durham were all-out for 183 with 5.1 overs still left. Steve Drage took 3-41.
The Cumbria veterans are back in action on Wednesday when they play Notts Over 50s away.
