S9s pay tribute to Dick Wildgoose
Shropshire’s S9s and their opponents Derbyshire paid tribute to Disability cricket pioneer Dick Wildgoose ahead of their first game of the season at St Georges CC.
Before the game both sides observed a minute’s silence for Dick who died recently. With brother Fred he set up Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities back in the 1990s.
Coach Graham Furber said: “Our thanks to Richard Cannon and his squad for observing this with us, Dick (who was from Oswestry) was a true pioneer of disability cricket.”
With five regular players unavailable through long term absences, a weakened side had to take the field with Damon Morris taking over from Dave Hassall as skipper.
Damon won the toss and inserted the visitors, who scored 203-4 from their allocated 30 overs, with top scorers Kieron Owen (50 retired) and Charlie Harrison (54 retired).
Oli Harrison turned in excellent bowling figures of 3-29, which included a late second spell of 3-8. This three over spell involved two players being bowled and then an absolutely brilliant caught and bowled.
Graham added: “Our batting has been so brittle for several years now and we were soon reduced to 48-5 before a late flurry from wheelchair batsman, Dave Ingram (38 not out) which included 5x4s and a huge six, improved our score somewhat.
“With a steady drizzle and slight rumblings of thunder overhead, Dave and Andy Parker survived the last few overs to spare us the ignominity of being bowled out, and we finished on 111-8 at the end of our 30 overs, and defeat by 92 runs.
“Maybe a big loss in figures but our side stuck together admirably in the field and considering the relative strengths of the two teams, there were some encouraging signs in place for the future.
“Our grateful thanks go to our two umpires, Wyn Williams and Pete Maltby.”
The next S9 fixture will be in two weeks time v Warwicks at Allscott Heath CC.
Dick’s funeral will be held at All Saints Church, Church Road, Gobowen, Shropshire, SY11 3LL on Thursday, May 23 at 1pm followed by internment at Hengoed Cemetery.
