Whitchurch Cricket Club, one of Hampshire's oldest sporting institutions, marked its 250th anniversary with a special charity match that raised funds for Parkinson's UK and saw a returning player take to the crease after a 25-year absence.
A Historic Fixture Renewed
The club's veterans' team, Whitchurch Wednesdays, faced rivals The Brigands at Broadhalfpenny Down, renewing a fixture played annually for more than 50 years. The match was part of the club's anniversary celebrations, bringing together generations of local players and spectators.
Whitchurch Wednesdays Captain Richard Osmond highlighted the fixture's long history: "The Brigands v Whitchurch Wednesdays up on Broadhalfpenny Down has been a fixture that has remained and been sustained for over 50 years, at the historic 'cradle of cricket.'"
Gary Shaughnessy's Return to Cricket
Among the players was Gary Shaughnessy, Chair of Parkinson's UK, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015. Having not played cricket for almost 25 years, Shaughnessy returned to the crease as part of his '60 Sports in my 60th Year' challenge, which encourages people with Parkinson's to stay active.
Shaughnessy scored 17 runs before being run out. He said: "Having not played cricket for nearly a quarter of a century and not being a good player even in my heyday, I was not sure what to expect from playing against such an experienced team. It was, however, an afternoon of friendly competition."
He added: "I was delighted not to be out first ball and to score 17 fine runs before being run out when one of our players thought I was 20 years younger than I am."
Penny Farthing Challenge and Community Spirit
During the tea interval, Shaughnessy swapped his bat for a Penny Farthing, learning to ride the Victorian bicycle with the help of endurance cyclist Dr Bill Pollard. The challenge reinforced the message that it's never too late to embrace new activities, even after a Parkinson's diagnosis.
The match was closely fought, with The Brigands setting a competitive 218-6 before The Wednesdays reached 203-9. Osmond reflected on the club's origins: "Back in the days when small towns and villages stopped work on a Wednesday afternoon to meet up and socialise, Whitchurch Wednesdays was formed to achieve just that."
"A ramshackle cricket team made up of local butchers, bakers, police and firemen, travelled the Hampshire countryside every summer to fulfil a packed fixture card," he added. "If ever there was a game that personified the true spirit of cricket, then this is it."
Shaughnessy hopes his challenge shows that movement comes in many forms, from walking and gardening to yoga and cricket, and that staying active can make a real difference for people living with Parkinson's.
