For those readers that know Keynsham Cricket Club, the likelihood is they will also have come across Jerry Hare and Sam Wheller; either playing or drinking in the club house. Both enjoy their time together either side of the boundary and this point was evident when I caught up with them during the pandemic.
It is interesting to learn how they both ended up playing for the 1st XI at Keynsham, the cricket ground situated between Bristol and Bath and arguably most famous for where Marcus Trescothick started his cricketing journey and its annual Beer Festival. As will be made apparent, both took different routes on their way to playing West of England Premier League Cricket together. Nevertheless, both turned first to watching their fathers playing the sport as being a key part of the reason behind their love of cricket.
Developing initial skill sets at Primary School and on Friday evenings at Junior Training, Sam and other members of future Keynsham Youth & Senior teams played lots of Driveway cricket together. For those of you not familiar with this particular style of cricket, (other versions include hallway or changing room cricket) the aim is to try and bowl a tennis ball as fast, and as short, as possible at the batsman in the aim that they do not hit the ball, but in fact take one to the body - who’d be scared, it’s only a tennis ball – or to ‘snick off’. Some may argue this sounds rather barbaric. On the contrary, it can be argued that this formative version of the game contributes to the skills needed to deal with a short ball later in ones cricketing career (unfortunately not for the author).
Jerry, following a move from Keynsham to local village team Timsbury CC (via Lansdown CC), started a new chapter playing for Timsbury Youth teams whilst also experiencing an early taste of adult cricket from the age of fourteen. As a keeper batsman, he admits he found the standard in the 3rd XI relatively comfortable and impressed in his first season. It was on his promotion to the 2nd XI that saw Jerry initially struggle facing the bowling and resorted to his chat behind the stumps to help out his slight inability to follow up with the bat. Working on his batting over the coming seasons, Jerry soon solidified his place in Timsbury CC 1st XI. Jerry was part of a good ilk of youth players coming through to represent the senior teams which were supported by the injection of seasoned cricketers joining Timsbury having previously played their cricket for other local clubs at a higher level. Jerry also experienced a rare journey as a cricketer through the Village Knockout Cup. The cup run which resulted in him and his Timsbury compatriots progressing through to the final held at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground, in 2006 helped the village side to one of their finest, if not the finest, season as a cricket club. The memories and the journey they had live long for the players and residents of the village, even if they did not manage to return the Cup back to North Somerset.
Meanwhile, Sam started, and continued, through the age groups at Keynsham and experimented with different styles and actions following a back injury, to finally decide slow left arm bowling, akin to Jeremy Snape’s Moon Ball, was the way forward. A tough decision to make and commit to after initially coming on to the scene as a pace bowler, re-emphasised by the fact that slow bowling is normally targeted the most by batsmen, even in the youth arena. Alongside trying to make a mark on the local youth leagues, he was also given the opportunity to play, and adjust to the step up to, senior cricket. This exposure and prospect supported by other club members who had been playing longer than Sam had been alive (and who continue to do so in some instances), similar to Jerry’s experience down the road at Timsbury, guided Sam in improving his game to take wickets regularly. It is apparent in both instances, and indeed nationwide, that those cricketers who have continued to pay their respects to their club, and who have spent Saturday afternoons ‘giving back’ and helping to support the next crop of players in the senior development teams are invaluable to the continuation of the future of cricket clubs.
The highlight for the pair came when they both took to the pitch representing Keynsham 1st XI in the West of England Premier Two Division. Two years, and approximately 50 matches, together for them was what they had envisaged from a young age – caught Wheller, bowled Hare, & vice versa being a particularly special occasion. The opportunity of playing against professional cricketers turning out at club level on Saturday also signified the standard they played, and indeed the strength of the leagues – even if they were on the wrong end of a few incredible innings!
Sam continues to play a key role in the 1st XI at Keynsham who were relegated at the end of the 2019 season to Bristol & Somerset. His role, not only as a bowler, now reflects the form of the support he and Jerry received as youngster, trying their hand at senior cricket, and he is confident that the youth players coming through will be extremely influential in the future success of Keynsham CC in both the West of England and Bristol and District cricket leagues. Sam also holds a place on the committee at Keynsham so hopefully his experiences at the club can be shared and his input will be beneficial to the club going forward. Jerry has since moved from the Bristol area to pursue his career and has turned out for Ascot cricket club. Nevertheless, Sam has ventured up to Ascot to join him on a Saturday afternoon and it was good to hear their cricketing escapades continue! Since the catch up on Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic, Jerry now may not have as much time now for cricket after the arrival of his little boy, Henry.
It was a pleasure, to hear both points of view from Hare and Wheller on their respective cricketing journeys; from watching their fathers playing, to joining youth teams and themselves playing senior cricket, to their culmination of playing the game in WEPL together. It was always interesting umpiring them and their team mates at Keynsham in the summer even if they were always on the lookout for the next person to wind up!
The final mentions must go to the cricket clubs mentioned above and others across the country. Whilst we looked back, during the pandemic, at better times gone by on the cricket field, a reference to the future of club cricket for the 2020 season and subsequent summers must be noted. With cricket still not certain to return, those who are members of clubs facing financial struggles can seek assistance, support and guidance from the England and Wales Cricket board here: https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/club-support/club-funding
After all, it is paramount that recreational club cricket continues despite a global pandemic to ensure the game we all love continues to provide an opportunity for friendships and anecdotes to be shared in years to come, just like Jerry and Sam's.
Full interview available to listen to here: https://www.overtimeandumps.com/interviews
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