1st XI Cap Numbers
1st XI Cap Numbers
1st XI Cap Numbers
After retiring from playing, Colin became executive chairman of the OD Cuaco cricket club and regularly spent his weekend afternoons watching the club's teams play, often driving between grounds to keep up with events at several games and finishing at the club to welcome all players back to the bar. He would often be heard encouraging players to greater things with his own special exhortations. "Couldn't keep chickens" and "Couldn't bowl a hoop" being two of the more popular ones. Our favourite of all was to hear Colin greet a win with "We gave 'em a bloody good hiding".
Seriously, though, Colin was always willing to offer excellent advice to any club member. He made a point of congratulating every good individual performance personally, whether they were by senior players or colts. Many a youngster has been pleasantly surprised to find the club chairman seek them out to shake their hand and talk about their innings or spell of bowling.
Colin was instrumental in the OD Cuaco club's recent successes on and off the field with his unique brand of leadership. "Get the management structure right and the rest just falls into place". Under his tenure as chairman we achieved Clubmark and Focus Club status, built new outdoor nets, established an ever strengthening link with Langley Park Boys School and have seen a healthy number of colts graduate to senior cricket. Colin's enthusiasm for everything to do with the club rubbed off on everyone and he really was loved and respected by all.
Since his passing, I am sure that we have all been recalling our many memories of Colin. In my case, every one of those memories has raised a smile or even an out loud laugh at the thought of something that Colin said or did. He was a kind, funny and inspirational man who enriched so many lives.
Rest in peace, Will, we shall miss you but we will never forget you.
Keith Fishlock
Patrick O'Rourke
We have some very sad news; Patrick O’Rourke passed away suddenly on Tuesday night, 26th June, aged 27.
Pat was our overseas player for 2009 season, but he was far more than just that. He had a great impact throughout the club with his wholehearted approach to life and cricket. Pat brought an infectious enthusiasm to the whole club with the colts, 1st XI and touring party especially benefiting.
During his time with us Pat played 25 games, scoring 672 runs at an average of 32 with a top score of 85 against Croystar. He bowled 278 overs, taking 48 wickets at an average of 19.25 with best figures of 7/23 against Wickham Park. Full stats http://odcuaco.play-cricket.com/profile/statistics.asp?id=11143333
OD Cuaco Cricket Club would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to his mother, father, brothers, family and friends. A much loved and popular member of our Club, Pat will be sadly missed. RIP mate.
From Andrew O'Rourke
On behalf of myself and my family i would like to thank OD Cuaco Cricket Club for paying tribute to my late great brother Paddy on the weekend. A special thanks goes out to Yogi who was one of Pats best mates.
Patrick's time spent at OD Cuaco cricket club was still talked about by him up until the day he passed away. He loved playing for the club and he made many a good mate in his time spent there. All he wanted to do was help get the club promoted up the divisions back to where they belong. I'm sure he would have been proud of the boys with their performance on the weekend and he would love nothing more then to see the Mighty OD's win the league.
Norman Russell Crampton,more affectionately known as The Cramp, died very suddenly on 19th September 2007 aged 69.
Norman spent nearly all of his sporting life, which was long and varied, playing for the Cuaco Sports Club. He represented the Club at nearly every sport including cricket, football, squash, tennis, darts, bowls and even chess.
However it was football and cricket at which he excelled and for the purposes of this article I will concentrate on his cricket prowess.
He first played for Morden Cricket Club and joined the Cuaco Club in 1959 as an accomplished opener and a brilliant fielder both in the outfield and close to the wicket. His hand to eye co-ordination was outstanding.
In Memoriam
Mick Allighan
28th March 1931 - 11th January 2015
Mick joined the Commercial Union Assurance Group in 1948 and became a member of the Cuaco Sports Club not long after. He played football and cricket for the Club and shortly after joining he played in the First Elevens for both sports.
He spent over 50 years playing for the Club,who’s ground was in South London,during which time he travelled from Harrow every week to play cricket which was all based south of the river.
As a goalkeeper he was not the most agile but persuaded us his success was due to his mastery of angles. Dressed in his green knitted woolley goalkeeping jumper he was part of Cuaco FC’s most successful years in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
However it was as a wicketkeeper that he showed his greatest talent. For a big man he excelled at standing up,the most difficult of skills,with some wonderful catches and brilliant legside stumpings.
Woe betide the young fielder who didn’t return the ball over the stumps, the Allighan glare was legendry, but the young fielder always got it right next time.
He kept wicket up to his 70th year then retired. Despite retirement he still was a great supporter of the Cricket Club, never missing a Tour where he was our frugal Treasurer and an ever present at our Club Dinners.
Mick will be missed not only for his exceptional talent,one of the best Club wicketkeepers over many years,but also for his gentle humour and terrific friendship however he leaves up with some wonderful memories.
Colin Willis
1939 - 2013
