Must say how saddened I was to read in last week’s Voice that the last over had been bowled for Pinchbeck Cricket Club – the shortage of players being the reason for the second time in the club’s history.
Personally, I was a regular player for the club in years gone by, making my first appearance way back as a 16-year-old in the summer of 1954.
The club was well established at that time and respected throughout the county.
The village ground, one of the most picturesque in the county, was maintained to a high standard after being developed following the departure of an army detachment at the end of World War 2.
Some of the players I remember playing alongside were AJJ Burton (the school headmaster), Ken North, Fred Dearnley, Ken Wray, Eric Coward, Harold Brocklehurst, Jim Holmes and John Cooke.
A spell away at college (although I did play during the summer hols) and then national service in the Royal Air Force, meant I was missing until 1962 and picked up where I had left off, enjoying my cricket to the full once again, before the lack in numbers forced the club to close down.
But we had been involved in the formation of the South Lincs and Border League.
I still see some of my old playing colleagues on occasions when the topic of conversation is the good days and the enjoyment of representing Pinchbeck SC.
Happy days.
Ray Tucker
Former Pinchbeck Cricket Club player and former Spalding United press officer
- Send your sport letters by email to andy@spaldingvoice.co.uk or to The Spalding and South Holland Voice, 2 Goodison Road, Lincs Gateway Business Park, Spalding, Lincs PE12 6FY.
