John Prior who helped arrange Cardiff Casuals within the Sixties has been described as a ‘true legend’
A grandad who helped begin a Cardiff cricket membership has retired from the game at 86 years outdated. John Prior, who labored as an actor and drama trainer, helped arrange Cardiff Casuals XI within the Sixties and has been a lifelong servant of the membership ever since.
The Wenvoe-based membership honoured the 86-year-old throughout his final match on Sunday, with dozens of gamers previous and current gathering for the sport. The membership performed an interclub recreation in opposition to two sides referred to as The Foxes and The Hounds.
John’s remaining over was a maiden and each groups gave the lifelong cricketer a guard of honour as he stepped throughout the boundary rope for the ultimate time.
The previous trainer had performed cricket when he was at school earlier than he helped discovered the Cardiff Casuals and later adopted the nickname ‘Cunning’ for his canny legspin bowling.
John mentioned: “It was a beautiful day – probably the greatest in my life. Previous associates who had been with us firstly got here to collect spherical and reminisce.“I used to be so proud to have been the excuse for thus many aged associates to get collectively if just for the day.” By no means miss a Cardiff story by signing as much as our each day e-newsletter right here.
He defined that the workforce was based “when a bunch of gamers, broke away from a moderately authoritarian native membership to kind a membership that might play cricket in a pleasant method that might by no means make profitable the only goal.”
Membership main run scorer Will Mason-Wilkes mentioned: “Cunning is a real Casuals legend. Most can be very happy to be getting away from bed at 86 so for him to nonetheless be turning out on a cricket pitch is a exceptional testomony to his health, character and dedication.
“An actual custodian of the membership’s democratic and welcoming ethos, Cunning set the tone for a way we play the sport – not at all times with essentially the most expertise however at all times with a smile on our faces.“Nicely performed Cunning – retired however not out!”
Cardiff Casuals Cricket Membership described themselves as “an beginner cricket membership based mostly in Cardiff, South Wales”. They play Sunday friendlies and in a mid-week league (Willow League).
In the course of the first innings, the Foxes batted first reaching 121/4 from their 20 overs. The Hounds scored 115/2 from their 20 overs in reply.
For the second innings the Foxes scored 122/6 from 20 setting at whole of 129 to win. The Hounds chased down the rating with an over and a two balls to spare.
