BOOMING CRICKET CLUB TURNS TO RALPHH FOR HELP

A cache of splendid catches marked the biggest gift of defibrillation equipment to a single club in any sport by the national charity RALPHH.

Now Hertfordshire Seniors Cricket has all its teams covered with a defibrillator, potentially saving lives and providing welcome reassurance to all of its 195 squad players.

Established in 1988 with a single Eleven, the popularity of the sport among over 60’s players has grown considerably, with league and other game players against counties as far afield as Durham and Cornwall. The Saracens Hertfordshire League is known as one of the best in the country and now includes teams from neighbouring counties such as Bedfordshire and Middlesex.

The spur to Club Chairman Mike Dobner making contact with the charity was the number of occasions when it was known that players had been taken ill on the pitch, and where the availability of a defibrillator had undoubtedly saved a life crisis. RALPHH was happy to help, given that many of the picturesque cricket pitches where matches take place are often a lengthy distance from any local Accident and Emergency services. 

The presentation of the equipment was made by Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts (RALPHH) Chairman Richard Allen (right) at the Bayford Cricket Club Ground near Hertford, just prior to a match against an Oxfordshire Eleven. Pictured left to right are: Kevin Kelly, Over 60’s 3rd team; Brian Coulshed, Over 70’s Stags; Andrew Jackson, Over 60’s 3rd team; Mike Dobner, Club Chairman; and wearing wicket keeper gloves is Simon Newell, Over 60’s 3rd team Captain.

As well as having a current England international there are two Sri Lankan internationals among the Hertfordshire Seniors membership, who now have aspirations to establish at Over 75’s team in the near future.