SWINDON cricketers old and new turned back the clock by staging a memorial match between Swindon Midweek Wednesday XI and Swindon Nondescripts XI.
The game was set up as tribute to the late Mike Deacon, Les Cook and Geoff Beazley, who played for both sides in the 1960's and 1970's.
Deacon was a founder member of the Swindon Wednesday side while he, Cook and Beazley were regulars in the Nondescripts side.
The two teams, made up of mainly of over 50-year-olds, were captained by Richard Deacon, son of Mike, and Andy Cook, son of Les.
Andy won the toss for Nondescripts and chose to bat. He opened with 1970s opener John Applegate and quickly took a liking to the wicket, racing to a an unbeaten half -century.
Joe Thompson bowled economically for the Wednesday side and wicket keeper Dave Selwood grabbed three stumpings.
Nondescripts closed on 170-5 after 30 overs Dave Haydon was the pick of the Wednesday bowlers with two wickets at a cost of just seven runs.
Chasing a run-rate of almost six an over Sandy Steele Davis and Dave Haydon cautiously faced the bowling of Neil Thomas and Trev Startup.
But three excellent catches by Alley, Cox and Dave Sharland accounted for the two openers and Paul Sore at number three.
Nondescripts were struggling at 59-3 after 15 overs but some vintage driving from Deacon took their total to 105 before being bowled by Gordon Mitchell.
The highlight of the day however, was the appearance of 72-year-old Ron Cox bowling a maiden over against 71-year-old Geoff Murray.
Cook bowled the last over of the match as Nondescripts closed on 134-6 36 runs short of Wednesday's total.
Match organiser Mel Cammish said: "It was a fantastic day and a great turn out. I would like to thank Swindon Cricket Club for letting us use the County Ground pitch and for everyone who turned up. We have plans to do it again next year."
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