1985 Cricket Re-union Having toured Zimbabwe together back in 1995 for a 10-year reunion, the 1985 1st XI cricket team decided to meet up again 25 years after their unbeaten season in the more familiar surroundings of Barney. In the absence of ’85 captain Steven Foster, who had organised the match but had to pull out at the last moment due to work commitments, Jon Ashman stepped in to skipper the side. Seven of the original team were able to play with Neil Foster, Phil Lake, Richard Pettit, Ed Seery, Dean McGarr and Tony Underwood all back at their favourite cricket ground. Thanks go to Mark ‘Jock’ Lawson, Kevin Atkin and Jeff Foster who, almost, made up the numbers and to the School under-14s who provided stiff opposition for a side carrying a few more pounds (in weight) than in the mid 1980s. Having spent the previous evening reminiscing in the Old Well with cricketers and old friends alike, it was down to business on Sunday and nothing had changed in a quarter of a century with the top order back in the pavilion for very little watching the rest of the side bail them out. However the old war horses Seery and McGarr showed that they still knew how to bowl and rolled back the years to lead the old-timers to a narrow victory (although McGarr’s ‘leggie’ is now just a distant memory). But the weekend was all about meeting old friends and many had not shaken hands since Wham! were number one and mobile phones were the size of house bricks but, if appearances had changed, the sense of humour that ran throughout the side and made it so successful, was still as apparent and cutting as ever. The gathering was capped by an appearance from the man who made it all happen back in ’85 and a hobbling Paul Johnson, who was still recuperating after back surgery, pretty much summed up how we all felt physically on the Monday morning. Thanks to everyone who attended, both players and groupies, and let’s hope it is not another 25 years before we are able to, once again, watch Ashman miss a straight ball from someone 30 years his junior. 6
Back row: from left to right: Richard Pettit, Dean McGarr, Tony Underwood, Jeff Foster, Kevin Atkin Front row: from left to right: Mark Lawson, Neil Foster, John Ashman, Phil Lake, Ed Seery, and obviously Paul Johnson (coach).
Barnardians Reconnected