Indeed, there were enough to put out two very impressive teams that could have produced a belter of a match in their heyday.
The Waringstown club is renowned for its ability to retain the interest of former players, a characteristic of a club built on family and community values over many years. Of course, a couple of the former players in attendance have a vested interest in watching their sons perform, but week in, week out, former Waringstown players take an active part in the administration of the club and on match days there’s a rota of activities delegated to willing members to make the occasion a day to remember for both their own supporters and their visitors. And of course, that includes the Ladies Committee where the welcome is always warm and friendly, irrespective of what’s happening on the field. Not surprising, the number of ladies at the cup final was just as impressive as the that of former players and if anyone cared to look at the impromptu match taking place on the top ground at the same time as the final, then guess whose youngsters were involved? Yes, Waringstown!
Take a bow Roy Harrison, the acknowledged Waringstown guru and Chairman, who continues to keep the Villagers at the top of local cricket on and off the field. And what a team in attendance at the final, including big Alwin Spence, now living in Ohio in United States.
Perhaps in batting order they were-
Roy Harrison
Michael Reith
David Dennison
Ivan Anderson
Garfield Harrison
Deryck Harrison
Alwin Spence
Brian Hanna
Ian Harrison
Eddie Bushe
Alan Nelson
And this mythical team was good enough to have former players like Gordon Irwin in reserve.
Not to be outdone former Instonians players were also there in numbers, including Club President Willie Oakes, the former Ulster rugby scrumhalf and a very useful cricketer and golfer. Resplendent in his club blazer Willie’s team of “Golden Oldies” was very impressive and included Dixon Rose, Carson Rose’, Trevor Walker, David Walker, Don Richardson and Michael Howard. There were surely others, but this writer failed to see them all on a nostalgic day that brought back good memories of past encounters and happy days on the cricket field.
Long may they continue.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
