It is 60 years and counting for Cyril (From Basingstoke Gazette)

It is 60 years and counting for Cyril

1:00pm Tuesday 27th September 2011 in Cricket By Graham Merry

CYRIL Thompson has chalked up 60 years involvement with the Bluebird Care Diamond Jubilee Guy Jewell Cup and is still going strong.

The 80-year-old was scorer when the 20-over a-side competition was launched in 1952 as the Basingstoke and North Hants Knock-Out Cup.

In the very first final, Sherborne St John won the trophy thanks to a five wicket success over Kelvins.

The losers batted first and made 126-5 with Bill Mancey (61) top scoring in a side which also included Basingstoke Town players Alf Jeffreys and Jimmy Haslett.

Ron Barrington led the Sherborne reply with 62 and then was an unbeaten 26 from Denis Hill-Wood, who later went on to become chairman of Arsenal.

In 1965, upon the death of Guy Jewell, probably the best ever spinner to play for Basingstoke and the brainchild behind the competition, the tournament was renamed in his honour.

Seven years later, Cyril along with his wife Rita took over as organisers of the Cup and they continued in that roll together until Rita’s death in 2006.

Looking back of the history books Cyril picked out a couple of record breaking games as his finest moments – one in 1953, when Silchester were bowled out for nine chasing 65 to win against Hook.

In recent years Old Basing racked up 325 thanks to centuries from Willcock brothers Richard and Nicky.

Cyril said: “There have been many great games over the years and I will be back for sure next year running the competition. I would like to thank all those who have helped and continue to help me.

This season to honour the 60 years of tireless work Cyril received a silver salver after the Cup final and silver picture frame presented at a special evening event to mark the diamond jubilee of the competition, where the Mayor was the special guest.

The event was held after the annual Guy Jewell against Basingstoke games at May’s Bounty.

In those matches Basingstoke and North Hants XI beat the Guy Jewell Select by 22 runs after they looked on course to win at 130-4, but were all out for 162.

The home side batted first and scored 184-8 with Steve Bucksey (50) and Joe McDonnell (46) laying the foundations with Wood (3-17) was the best bowler.

Mike Heffernan (56) and Will Phillips (41) got the Select side off to a good start, but Micky Vinn, McDonell, Dan Coombs and Russell Droy all took two wickets each to ensure a victory.

In the Vets game played on Castle Field, the Guy Jewell XI won by 121 runs after scoring 237-9 as Chris Petts top scored while Derek Dicker (3-23) was the best home bowler Basingstoke Vets were then bowled out for 116, despite Andy Neal’s 44 as Andy Stead (4-29) and Chris Swift (3-24) had a good afternoon with the ball.