Cricketers converge for Tyrone tribute

A Tyrone Wildman XI will play Sussex Seniors in the Tyrone Wildman Memorial Cricket Match at Gullivers. Play will start at 11.30am and finish around 7pm with a ‘typical Tyrone’ lunch at 1.30pm and tea at 4pm.

Managed by Hugh Milner and captained by Neil Chitty, the Sussex Seniors team will be made up of cricketers who played alongside Tyrone for the county at over-50 and over-60 level. Among them are Bexhill second team opening batsman John Holland and Peter Gould, of Hastings Priory.

The Tyrone Wildman XI will be captained by Brendan O’Leary, the Australian who was Sidley’s overseas player in 2009 and who is returning to the area for the weekend. The likes of Chris Hunnisett, Bexhill second team captain Jeremy Wassell and the evergreen Loyd Stickells are also in the line-up.

A raffle will be running throughout the day and monies raised will go to Reilley House, a Bexhill-based day centre which Tyrone supported. Anybody wishing to donate can do so on the day or, if unable to attend, contact Sidley Cricket Club and they will forward the donation on.

Tyrone is thought to have bowled more overs and taken more wickets for Sidley than anybody else during nearly four decades at the Sussex League club. An immensely popular and talented performer with an almost ever-present smile, his sudden death last December aged 59 shocked and saddened the thousands who knew him.

Probable teams - Sussex Seniors: Neil Chitty (c), Bob Daisley, Ted Elsey, Peter Gray, Andy Shanks, Simon Briggs, John Holland, John Johnston, Andy Meads, Peter Gould, Richard Seager, Mark Shimmons.

Tyrone Wildman XI: Brendan O’Leary (c), Chris Hunnisett, Garth Baker, Tim Dunn, John Kaye, Craig Ramsden, Jamie Ramsden, John Barden, Loyd Stickells, Dave West, Jeremy Wassell, Pete Savage. Umpires: Dave Morris, Mike Griffiths.

The matchballs have been donated by Bob ‘Knocker’ Noakes.