THE LORD'S TAVERNERS GOLDEN OLDIES FESTIVAL - 14TH AUGUST 2010

TAVERNERS WIN 'OLDIES ASHES'
In early August, 58 cricket teams from around the world, converged on Harrogate in North Yorkshire to play in the 14th Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival. The festival , which is held every two years was hosted by Sir Thomas Ingleby of Ripley Castle with ex England captain Ray Illingworth as Festival Ambassador.
With over 1,100 players and guests arriving from most of the recognised cricket playing nations along with the USA and Japan, 29 of some of the most picturesque grounds in the country played host to nearly 90 limited-over matches.
Being over 40 years old is the only criteria for playing. However, the oldest 11 players had a combined age 813, with the oldest player being 78 and still bowling with some pace.
For the first time, the Festival had an official charity and the Lord's Taverners was able to host a variety of fund raising events. An evening cricket forum hosted by Jonathan Agnew and Chris Cowdrey, an auction and a fine system implemented by each team for all the usual (and not so usual) cricketing misdemeanours raised over £5,000 for the charity.
On the pitch, the Taverners' team, which included actor Frazer Hines (ex Emmerdale), Chris Chitell (Emmerdale), ex Yorkshire and England cricketer, Richard Blakey and newly elected MP Nigel Adams performed well by winning two of their three games and narrowly losing the third.
Whether by chance or design, the Taverners ' faced three teams from Australia and our series victory will hopefully be a forerunner to England's success down under this winter.
The next Golden Oldies Cricket festival will be in Adelaide in November 1012 where he hope to continue our success by entering at least one team.