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Posted:
Wednesday 11th June 2008
Source: Stephen Birley
Black Torrington had to call off yet another North Devon League
Division Five game when they could not raise a side for a
meeting with Bradninch on Sunday but although this was cry off
number five out of their six matches this season, they are
determined to try and �keep things going� at their Beara Court
Ground. The cricket club plays on land that a local person
purchased for some �15,000 three years ago with the promise that
the club could use it for their home base for as long as they
wanted to but to Club stalwart and Secretary Brian Harrington
that may just be their biggest problem:
�We have worked tirelessly to improve the standard of
the outfield and square but there�s only so much a hearty
few can achieve. I think the younger lads locally have
decided that to play cricket they need to go elsewhere and
we are desperate for an injection of players."
Harrington and the two Vallance�s, Kenny and his wife Eileen
are part of the small but very enthusiastic group who are
battling to keep the club going. Vallance is officially the
grounds man and as he explained pitch preparation is a family
affair:
�Eileen and I were working to dusk and beyond on
Friday to get a pitch ready for Sunday�s game with
Bradninch. She (Mrs. Vallance) was on the tractor and I was
on the roller. It�s a labour of love for sure but we don�t
mind. All I want to see is the cricket continued and some
younger blood to step forward and play for us.�
With the side still facing eight fixtures, starting with a
June 28th trip to Witheridge for a game with Nomansland there is
a ray of light with the news that local village side Halwill are
also facing it a struggle to field a side and perhaps a link up
between the two will help Black Torrington keep the �grim
reaper� at bay. The final word rests with Harrington who says:
�This is the heart and soul of grass roots cricket,
the ground was originally part of the Beara House grounds,
hence the name today. We are a keen and committed small
group of cricket lovers but time is against as we are
getting no younger, hopefully something will come from this
present crisis and maybe, just maybe, we�ll have a brighter
future.�
Anybody interested in helping out at Black Torrington is
asked to contact Kenny Vallance on (01837) 53650. | 
