Martin Pearse
Career Highlights
Founded Norfolk O50, now Norfolk Seniors in 1996 Founded Seevent National O60 Inter County Championship in 2008, 3 months after 8 County Home Counties Championship had disbanded. Seevent now houses 33 Counties, 3 Divisions O60, 1 Division O70 Captained England O60 x 14, 9 v Australia, 8 wins, 1 tie... x 4 v Wales, 3 wins, 1 loss, 1 win v Scotland Leading run scorer of all time ECB National O50 – 4642 runs, 135 inns, 12 no av 37.73 Leading scorer National Seevent O60 ICC 2006 to 2015 91 inns 17 no 3692 49.89 average Longest serving current playing member for MCC, 49 years, started in 1966
Amusing Highlights
Playing for 1st major club Leicester Ivanhoe (336 inns 1964-1978). Scored 66663 off seamer Tony Holmes in the penultimate over in the Leicestershire County Cup Semi Final v Cropston, needing 36 off last 2 overs. Cropston Captain, playing at the time for Leicestershire, Geoff Hickinbotham took the ball off the quickie who was bowling the last over and bowled 6 balls underarm!! Highly controversial but Cropston won by 2 runs, with all 9 fielders on the boundary edges. Holds record playing for Leicester Ivanhoe v Oakham scoring 646464 off last over v Oakham with Leics 2 spinner John Pearson the unlucky recipient Scored 100 for MCC v Stamford School in 1983 with Geoff Boycott making 5. “There ain’t too many fooking people getting a fooking ton whilst I get fooking nowt! And why the fook lad, did you retire?” Debut hundreds for Burghley Park (v Ufford Park) Cromer (v Halstead) Sheringham (v Ashmanhaugh Scored a 9 against Eton Ramblers when Lord Rupert Hazelrigg lost his temper being hit for an all run 5 and threw 4 overthrows trying to hit MCP on the head running between the wickets and was sent off the field and home by the Gentlemen of Leicestershire President, J N Brankin Frisby Chased Burton Captain and cover fielder Dave Woodburn off the field for sledging whilst at the crease during a Douglas Concrete Charities Cup Final at Dunstall . Woodburn returned after the match!! And became great friends... Batting against X1 Club at Ivanhoe, his Kestrel Jade landed on his cap whilst batting Batting against Vanburn Holder in a National Cup Match for Market Harborough v Worcester , his Peregrine Falcon Smokey, escaped and he had to retire on 64 to retrieve her off a nearby roof ! Cromer record of 310-0, 10 wicket victory, with Chris Carey 174* MP 125*- the next year Sheffield Squirrels got 400 before declaring !! Batting for Norfolk 50 v Warwickshire 50 at Studley, with Norfolk on 170-1 after 35 the opening bowler and League Professional Graham Davies lost his temper with the Warwick Captain Harold Turner, threw the ball down and refused to bowl after being hit for 2 consecutive 4’s by Robin Huggins. MP was batting at the non strikers end and guided the first ball of the next over to cover point boundary whereupon Davies just let the ball go for 4, He was sent home by Alan Oakman and never played for Warwickshire again !!
Best Innings
75 v Lutterworth in 1994 against the world’s fastest bowler in a bad temper – Vaughn Hungry Walsh 57 not out to win South Lincs & Border League in 1983 for Burghley Park in a must not lose situation with title contenders North Runcton BP 118-9, North Runcton 162-7 152 not out in 132 with last 100 coming off 58 balls v Worcestershire 60 in 2008 for Norfolk 60 75 v Cheshire QF 60 v Sussex (140 in 22 overs) SF on the Sat and 69 in Final v Hampshire to win the Seevent National 60 Championship in 2009
Trevor Shales
Local Cricketer's Dream Comes True.
Whilst the English cricket team has been fairing badly out in Australia and the press and media have been on their backs, it is not all doom and gloom for one local player. Trevor Shales born in Great Yarmouth has just won his first English Cap playing for the England Over 60's on the Seevent Tour of Barbados in the West Indies.
Cricket is primarily thought of as being a young man's game, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Many Counties have over 50's 60's and 70's teams as indeed does Norfolk. Trevor plays regularly for Norfolk over 60's and still being a very good player was delighted to be selected to play for England Seniors. So where did it all start and how come at 60/1? Trevor found himself bowling to Collis King one of the West Indies stars of the 1970's and meeting two of the all time greats Sir Wes Hall and Sir Garry Sobers? It does not get much better than that.
From Wroughton Primary in Gorleston to The Technical High School where teachers encouraged the young Trevor to play cricket he played for Tech Old Boys, NALGO and Great Yarmouth CC, the latter still being his club of choice. His parents also provided encouraement and every year he was bought a new bat. Such was Trevor's love of the game that whilst working on Great Yarmouth seafront as a photographer he would sneak off and play for the club only to get caught out, not by a ball, but by scoring 60 runs and being featured in the local paper, his boss was not a happy man!
Moving forward saw Trevor captaining Brightlingsea for 6 years (1996-2002) and during this time he gained his coaching qualification, working part time coaching for Essex CC, no mean feat in itself. It was here that so much was learned about the game from other coaches that added new dimensions to his game.Having moved away from Norfolk, during 2003 to 2007 Trevor played for Broadstone CC in Dorest where in five seasons he took 100 wickets, no mean feat on small grounds where boundaries were easy to come by.
Returning to Norfolk Trevor was soon picked for Norfolk 0ver 50's, spent a season at Hales and Loddon before returning to Great Yarmouth CC, helping them win the Norfolk League in 2013 and taking a staggering 100 wickets in just three seasons.
Success to some comes late in life, with Trevor the cricketing story just goes on as this year he has been selected to play once again for England Seniors where Scotland and Australia will be the opposition.
The Trevor Shales story is far from finished yet and no doubt he will be taking wickets and scoring runs for many years to come. A local lad who really did make it big in the game of cricket.
Whilst the English cricket team has been fairing badly out in Australia and the press and media have been on their backs, it is not all doom and gloom for one local player. Trevor Shales born in Great Yarmouth has just won his first English Cap playing for the England Over 60's on the Seevent Tour of Barbados in the West Indies.
Cricket is primarily thought of as being a young man's game, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Many Counties have over 50's 60's and 70's teams as indeed does Norfolk. Trevor plays regularly for Norfolk over 60's and still being a very good player was delighted to be selected to play for England Seniors. So where did it all start and how come at 60/1? Trevor found himself bowling to Collis King one of the West Indies stars of the 1970's and meeting two of the all time greats Sir Wes Hall and Sir Garry Sobers? It does not get much better than that.
From Wroughton Primary in Gorleston to The Technical High School where teachers encouraged the young Trevor to play cricket he played for Tech Old Boys, NALGO and Great Yarmouth CC, the latter still being his club of choice. His parents also provided encouraement and every year he was bought a new bat. Such was Trevor's love of the game that whilst working on Great Yarmouth seafront as a photographer he would sneak off and play for the club only to get caught out, not by a ball, but by scoring 60 runs and being featured in the local paper, his boss was not a happy man!
Moving forward saw Trevor captaining Brightlingsea for 6 years (1996-2002) and during this time he gained his coaching qualification, working part time coaching for Essex CC, no mean feat in itself. It was here that so much was learned about the game from other coaches that added new dimensions to his game.Having moved away from Norfolk, during 2003 to 2007 Trevor played for Broadstone CC in Dorest where in five seasons he took 100 wickets, no mean feat on small grounds where boundaries were easy to come by.
Returning to Norfolk Trevor was soon picked for Norfolk 0ver 50's, spent a season at Hales and Loddon before returning to Great Yarmouth CC, helping them win the Norfolk League in 2013 and taking a staggering 100 wickets in just three seasons.
Success to some comes late in life, with Trevor the cricketing story just goes on as this year he has been selected to play once again for England Seniors where Scotland and Australia will be the opposition.
The Trevor Shales story is far from finished yet and no doubt he will be taking wickets and scoring runs for many years to come. A local lad who really did make it big in the game of cricket.
Mike Delf 13/11/1941 to 3/5/2015
Mike Delf sadly suffered a fatal heart attack whilst playing for Norfolk Over 70's against Essex Over70's at Little Baddow in Essex on 30th April 2015.
The Funeral for Mike Delf took place on Tuesday 2nd June 2015 at St Faiths Crematorium,Norwich at 2.45pm.
Many family, friends and colleagues attended with Andrew Jenner representing Essex along with representation from Suffolk. President Barry Battelley and Chairman John Lund represented Norfolk Seniors. Many of Mike's Over 70's colleagues were also in attendance, some in the blue polo shirt and others in the Norfolk Seniors Cricket shirt.
After the funeral many of the attendee's joined with the family at the Quebec Public House.
Mike played his first game for Norfolk Over 70's against Suffolk at Worlingworth on 30th April 2014,scoring 48 in a 5 wicket win for Norfolk. He became a regular member of the side throughout the 2014 season although he picked up a calf injury towards the end of the season that restricted his availability.
The 2015 season saw Mike play in the two pre season friendlies in which Mike scored 23 against Suffolk.
He was in fine form scoring 35 against Essex on the day he collapsed with what turned out to be a fatal heart attack.
Mike was also a part time and reluctant bowler.
Mike's Record for Norfolk: Played 7 games
Batting: Innings 7. Not out 1. Highest Score 48 vrs Suffolk. Total Runs scored 201. Average 33.50
Bowling: 21 overs .0 maidens. 2 wickets. 150 runs. Average: 75.00. Economy 7.14
Best 8-0-1-32 vrs Hertfordshire
Below is a poem composed by David Gale, a member of the Over 70's side of which Mike was a player.
Mike Delf sadly suffered a fatal heart attack whilst playing for Norfolk Over 70's against Essex Over70's at Little Baddow in Essex on 30th April 2015.
The Funeral for Mike Delf took place on Tuesday 2nd June 2015 at St Faiths Crematorium,Norwich at 2.45pm.
Many family, friends and colleagues attended with Andrew Jenner representing Essex along with representation from Suffolk. President Barry Battelley and Chairman John Lund represented Norfolk Seniors. Many of Mike's Over 70's colleagues were also in attendance, some in the blue polo shirt and others in the Norfolk Seniors Cricket shirt.
After the funeral many of the attendee's joined with the family at the Quebec Public House.
Mike played his first game for Norfolk Over 70's against Suffolk at Worlingworth on 30th April 2014,scoring 48 in a 5 wicket win for Norfolk. He became a regular member of the side throughout the 2014 season although he picked up a calf injury towards the end of the season that restricted his availability.
The 2015 season saw Mike play in the two pre season friendlies in which Mike scored 23 against Suffolk.
He was in fine form scoring 35 against Essex on the day he collapsed with what turned out to be a fatal heart attack.
Mike was also a part time and reluctant bowler.
Mike's Record for Norfolk: Played 7 games
Batting: Innings 7. Not out 1. Highest Score 48 vrs Suffolk. Total Runs scored 201. Average 33.50
Bowling: 21 overs .0 maidens. 2 wickets. 150 runs. Average: 75.00. Economy 7.14
Best 8-0-1-32 vrs Hertfordshire
Below is a poem composed by David Gale, a member of the Over 70's side of which Mike was a player.
Mike Smith Over 70's Captain for 2014-2015
Born into a large sporting family of boys,playing sport was a given and Mick competed in many and won awards for athletics, boxing and even flirted with professional footbal with Grimsby Town in their old Division 2 days. However Cricket is his first love
Involved with Norfolk Seniors cricket for the Over 60's since the early 1990's when Kent's late Barry Smith started up friendlies between County Over 50's. Mick never averaged less than 30 in all forms of the game over this period.
Mick followed an elder brother into league cricket in the Great Yarmouth area as a teenager and scored his maiden league half century at age 14 against Rollesby. He joined the RAF straight from school and spent the next 30+ years travelling the world persuing his RAF career and playing cricket. He has played in some unusual places such as Libya, Cyprus and the Ascension Islands where he captained an "England XI" in Test Matches against St Helena.
Other highlights of his time in the RAF includes in the 1960's skippering an underdog station side to victory in in the RAF Cup Final against the odds on favourites; could'nt lose as a young Nobby Cobb was also in the team! In the 1970's also played cricket for Corstophine in Scotland and took 50 off the Cross Arrows for the Adastrians C.C in a game at Lords when Tim Lamb was their opening bowler and Don Wilson first change
In the early 80's, joined the 40(XI) Club and enjoyed over 20 cricket tours to Holland and Denmark along with games in Bankok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Towards the end of of the 80's he was recruited by Chris Palmer to play in the Alliance for Bradenham CC where he later became Chairman and now its President.
Although having always enjoyed the game, he believes that the last five years have been amoung the best when he volunteered to form a Norfolk Over 70's side jointly with Suffolk. These were a wonderful 3 years, playing with fun and forming great lasting friendships. The cricket was always competitive but played with a smile. This period also saw wins against a visiting Over 70's side from Australia and culminated with Mick being selected for The England Over 70's Test team. Unfortunately rain ruined what would have been the icing on a great cricketing career.
Mick ended his playing career at the end of 2015 when he stepped down as Norfolk Over 70's captain having made 85 appearances in all for the Seniors over the years. Mike became the first recipient of the Mike Delf Memorial tropy which was presented to him by a member of Mike Delfs family at the annual end of season dinner.
He has now accepted the role of Vice Chairman for the Norfolk Seniors Cricket Club
Involved with Norfolk Seniors cricket for the Over 60's since the early 1990's when Kent's late Barry Smith started up friendlies between County Over 50's. Mick never averaged less than 30 in all forms of the game over this period.
Mick followed an elder brother into league cricket in the Great Yarmouth area as a teenager and scored his maiden league half century at age 14 against Rollesby. He joined the RAF straight from school and spent the next 30+ years travelling the world persuing his RAF career and playing cricket. He has played in some unusual places such as Libya, Cyprus and the Ascension Islands where he captained an "England XI" in Test Matches against St Helena.
Other highlights of his time in the RAF includes in the 1960's skippering an underdog station side to victory in in the RAF Cup Final against the odds on favourites; could'nt lose as a young Nobby Cobb was also in the team! In the 1970's also played cricket for Corstophine in Scotland and took 50 off the Cross Arrows for the Adastrians C.C in a game at Lords when Tim Lamb was their opening bowler and Don Wilson first change
In the early 80's, joined the 40(XI) Club and enjoyed over 20 cricket tours to Holland and Denmark along with games in Bankok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Towards the end of of the 80's he was recruited by Chris Palmer to play in the Alliance for Bradenham CC where he later became Chairman and now its President.
Although having always enjoyed the game, he believes that the last five years have been amoung the best when he volunteered to form a Norfolk Over 70's side jointly with Suffolk. These were a wonderful 3 years, playing with fun and forming great lasting friendships. The cricket was always competitive but played with a smile. This period also saw wins against a visiting Over 70's side from Australia and culminated with Mick being selected for The England Over 70's Test team. Unfortunately rain ruined what would have been the icing on a great cricketing career.
Mick ended his playing career at the end of 2015 when he stepped down as Norfolk Over 70's captain having made 85 appearances in all for the Seniors over the years. Mike became the first recipient of the Mike Delf Memorial tropy which was presented to him by a member of Mike Delfs family at the annual end of season dinner.
He has now accepted the role of Vice Chairman for the Norfolk Seniors Cricket Club
Nobby Cobb. Over 70's Captain for season 2016
Born in 1941, Nobby went on to become an Engineering Warrant Officer with the RAF where he served until age 55. He represented the RAF at both football and cricket and went on to become a football league referee. Whilst in the RAF, he travelled extensively and represented both RAF Germany and RAF Australia at cricket. During his time in the RAF he was fortunate to be awarded the British Empire Medal (B.E.M) for his services to both aircraft engineering and sport.
On leaving the RAF, he gave up all sport but in 2000 he was encouraged to play cricket for his local village team and this lead to him becoming one of the founder members of the Norfolk & Suffolk Over 70's side that competed in the Spitfire Over 70's Championship.
In 2014 he became vice captain of the stand alone Norfolk side under Mike Smith. Two years later he took over from Mike Smith as Captain of the Over 70's and it was in this season that he scored his highest ever Over 70's score with 98 not out against Suffolk at Felixstowe in an opening stand of 226 against Suffolk with fellow opener Martin Pearse.
At the end of the season Nobby became Norfolk's highest Over 70's run scorer with 1570 runs from 72 appearances.
Nobby stood down from the captaincy at the end of the 2016 season but collected the Mike Delf Award at the annual end of season dinner.
Although having relinquished the captaincy, Nobby hopes to contine as a player with the side
