Clayesmore Cormorants Cricket 2000

Forty years ago last July, a party of Clayesmore masters and pupils set out from lwerne Minster on the long journey to Cornwall, following an invitation to play a series of cricket matches against some of the best clubs in the county. Although they may not have had a great deal of success on the pitch, they did play the 'beautiful game' in a splendid spirit of adventure, and in so doing made many new friends both on and off the field.

When they embarked upon their historic journey in 1960, it was likely it never occurred to anyone that their club would still thrive into the next century. The year after the inaugural tour, the newly named Clayesmore Cormorants Cricket Club played its first Cricket Week in Dorset, where it has remained ever since. New generations of Cormorants have walked to the crease, upholding the fine tradition of their predecessors.

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the club, a special dinner was held in the Sealy Suite, The Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum on Friday, 14th July. Over eighty Cormorants and partners and Friends of the Cormorants of the past 40 years attended a memorable evening.

Following the meal, six members of the original tour each informed the gathering of their memories of the trip to Cornwall. Margaret Glazebrook, wife of the late Hugh Glazebrook, recalled the hardship of using an old pump to get fresh drinking water up to the accommodation at Gorran Point. Clive Wilkinson, after a little prompting, explained that the name of club derived from the fact that it was a flock of hungry cormorants, which prevented the pupils from making a successful catch while fishing on a day off. Bill (Stan) Mathews fondly remembered the following year when the Cormorants toured Holland and how he and a few others had to persuade the Master of the ferryboat to delay the sailing while waiting for Charles Price to turn up in his car with two other tourists. In those days cars were not driven on but lifted on to the vessel. Piers Sabine rued the lack of beer on tour and the early nights. He has made up for it ever since. David Watkins still has nightmares about Nick Zelle, an uninvited tourist, playing practical jokes on everyone. Meanwhile Nick Waters brought roars of laughter from the guests when he described his own nightmares about his wife's infidelity with the opening swing bowler cum useful practitioner with a piece of wood in the middle-order and in the woodwork shack.

To conclude the evening the Chairman of the club, Andrew Beaton, thanked David Beeby for his support during his tenure and for allowing the Cormorants the use of the very comfortable facilities at Devine House during the week. As this was David's last official function in the capacity of Headmaster, on behalf of everyone present the Chairman wished him and his wife, Anne, all the very best for the future. Andrew's other duty was to hand over the Cormorants Cup. This year it was aptly presented to the President of the club, David Watkins, in recognition of forty years service to the club as a founder member, former captain, player, coach, umpire and a great inspiration to both young and old. He accepted the award to a warm standing ovation with a degree of modesty and embarrassment.

The first tourists to Cornwall in 1960 were: David Watkins (Captain), Hugh Glazebrook, Margaret Glazebrook, Julian Bates, David Cook, Adrian Drapkin, John Hardie, Barry Keystone, Bill Mathews, Charles Price, Piers Sabine, Colin Swatton, Graham Swatton, Nick Waters, Clive Wilkinson and Nick Zelle.

On the field in 2000 we managed to play only three matches. The game against Bryanston Butterflies on the Tuesday was abandoned without a ball being bowled owing to their pitch being under an inch of water. Thursday's special game against the M.C.C. sadly fell through, but the Hon. Secretary at Lords has promised to consider the fixture at the 50th Anniversary more favourably.

Against the Canford Cygnets, the Cormorants skipper, Jamie Dike, invited the hosts to bat first on a damp wicket. The Cygnets simply could not cope with the Dorset C.C.C. opening quickies of Steve Forshaw (4 for 11), a last minute replacement for the injured Nick Goumas, and Toby Sharpe. Only ex Surrey 2nd XI player, Paul Taylor (41) made any impact in a final total of 68. Bobby Lack with the ball and Matt Corica behind the stumps both made a good impression on their debut. The Cormorants passed the target with ease losing only two wickets in the process with Colin Toovey (29 no) hitting the winning run. Much to their credit, the Canford boys insisted upon a beer match under a limited overs format. Again the Cormorants came out on top, this time by a handsome runs margin. A good time was had with the opposition afterwards in the local pub in Wimborne Minster.

Our very good friends the Strollers, from the Purley (Surrey) area, now on their 20th tour of Dorset, were also asked to bat first after losing the toss. The Cormorants were looking confident when they had the opposition at 78 for 4. However, a quick-fire 93 from the South African, Mike Heynes ably supported by the Aussie, Cameron Sharpe (47 no), the Strollers declared their total at 201 for the loss of no further wickets. In reply, the Cormorants lost wickets at regular intervals, and were only kept in the game with a hard-earned 47 from Peter Salmon. But the game was turned on its head by a swashbuckling innings of 67 not out from Andy Dike, probably batting too low at number eight. As with most of our matches against the Strollers over the past twenty years, invariably the game has gone down to the last over. Indeed, it did again this year. Twenty runs or two wickets were required for respective victories. Dike and Stephen Byrne managed to hit a sweet sixteen between them, including an enormous six. A draw, but by no means a dull one.

Dorset Rangers provided the opposition in the all-day game at the school on the Friday, and batted first after winning the toss. Ian Henderson (36) and Jeff Bourne (30) both batted well before Andy Dike, with his unorthodox spin, cleaned up the tail with an excellent return of six for 21. The total of 184 was never going to be enough on such a good wicket. The youngsters, Jimmy Denning (43) and Tristan Deighton (40) laid the foundation for a comfortable five-wicket victory. The winning boundary being hit by Tom Hicks, who typical of his character and loyalty to the club, rushed down the A303 having captained Oxford University in the Varsity Match at Lords the day before.

The future of the club is looking rosy. Hopefully we can move on to our next milestone with the continued support of the school, and enhance the fine spirit and friendship within the club. It is a testament to the school's commitment to cricket that in recent years they have produced the likes of Tom Hicks, Matthew Swarbrick and Toby Sharpe. The latter two making valuable contributions this season to Dorset C.C.C. in not only retaining the regional division for the third successive year but also winning the Minor Counties Championship Final against Cumberland.

Finally, I would like to give my personal thanks to Andrew Beaton, Andrew Dike and our senior Cormorant Piers Sabine, for all the help they gave me in organising the very successful Anniversary Dinner. Also to Ray Norris and his colleagues for their tireless work in preparation of the wickets, the immaculate outfield and the pleasant appearance of the surroundings. To my niece, Annabel Roberts, for making the lunches and teas.

Mr Simon Barker, Mr Robert Barter, Mrs Sonja Barter, Miss Mary Bauress, Mr Andrew Beaton, Mr David Beeby, Mrs Anne Beeby, Mr Martin Blant, Mr William Buck, Mr Frank Canning, Miss Hayley Cole,
Mr Steve Cowling, Mr Quentin Craddock, Mrs Caroline Craddock, Mrs Jane Davis, Mr Roger Denning,
Mrs Meg Denning, Mr Jimmy Denning, Mr Andy Dike, Mr Jamie Dike, Mr David Fangen, Mrs Nina Fangen, Mr Adam Frith, Mrs Margaret Glazebrook, Mr Simon Glazebrook, Mrs Helen Glazebrook,
Mr Nick Goumas, Mrs Elizabeth Goumas, Miss Madeleine Goumas, Mr Norman Gray, Mr Martin Grevett,
Mrs Susie Grevett, Mrs Jane Hamlyn, Mr Steven Hare, Mr Clive Hicks, Mrs Mary Hicks, Mr Tom Hicks,
Mr Guy Hicks, Mr Bernard Jacobs, Mr Barry Julyan, Mr John Kerr, Mr Graham King, Mr Steve Marsh,
Mr Robert Mash, Mr Bill Mathews,Mrs Susan Mathews, Mr Giles Mathews,Mr Michael Miller,
Mr Tim Milton, Mr Terry Morgan, Mr Alex Morgan, Mr Ray Norris, Mrs Sally Norris, Miss Penny,
Mr Neill Pitcher, Mr Colin Redston, Mr Frank Reid, Mr Martyn Roberts, Mrs Catherine Roberts,
Miss Louise Roberts, Miss Susannah Roberts, Miss Annabel Roberts, Mr Andy Rogers, Mr Piers Sabine,
Mrs Sara Sabine, Mr James Seddon, Mr Steve Setters, Mrs Gail Setters, Mr Partick Sherlock,
Mrs Clare Spence, Dr Richard Spurring, Mr Frank Stones, Mr Colin Teasdale, Mr Hugh Thompson,
Mr Roger Wallbank, Mr Nick Waters, Mr Martin Waters, Mr Rowley Waters, Mr David Watkins,
Mrs Alison Watkins, Mr Clive Wilkinson, Dr Jerry Winter, Mr Tim Woodward.