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Posted:
Sunday 23rd August 2009
Source: Stephen Birley
Bradninch cricketer Robert Gitsham has something
in common with cricketing legend Sir Donald
Bradman in as much as both toured Canada on a
cricket tour, combining the visit with their
honeymoons!
Gitsham, more affectionately known in cricketing
circles as ‘hootch’, and his new wife, Sue, took
part in the Devon Over 50s tour to Canada.
Don Bradman and the Australian side trod the
same path as the Devon team in 1932, and the
2009 Devon tour proved a big success with the
side unbeaten in five games. Gitsham, who in
recent years has played cricket for his home
side Bradninch and Clyst Hydon, picked up the
Man of the Match award in the opening game
against Beacon Hill when he took 3-44.
It turned out to be a superb trip for the newly
weds as Gitsham alluded, saying:
"The game in Stanley Park, Vancouver, was
memorable in itself. With the ocean-going ships
dealing in bright yellow sulphur mountains and
the ever present loud noise from float planes
taking off every 3 or 4 minutes, it's perhaps
not the scenic wonder it once was but it was
still a fascinating and interesting venue to
play cricket at. After the opening game I was
presented with a tie and so I duly donated my
Bradninch cap for their pride of place show
piece alongside the moose's head and antlers in
their club house. All in all it really was a
tremendous place to visit and any youngster
could do worse than contemplate a future in an
egalitarian, socially conscious, go-ahead
country like Canada, especially the Pacific
Northwest. I'm tempted to go back as a
groundsman as they all play on artificial
pitches because no one knows how to prepare
one!”
Pictures: Robert and wife Sue, Hootch with his
MOM tie and the Bradninch hat sat on the moose!
And Robert (hootch) standing by the coral before
taking "Oregon" out on the trail in the Rockies
for a couple of hours.
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