In 1985 and sponsored by “Dunlop” Lord’s launched a Counties Veterans Cricket Competition for the Over 50’s which today is known as the England Cricket Board (ECB) Competition. Dorset had no problem putting out a side and in that season played one match against Gloucestershire which was subsequently lost.
1986 saw two fixtures taking place against Wiltshire and Wales respectively and sadly, both ended in defeat. Not to be deterred and with the competition becoming more popular with the addition of more counties 1987 saw Dorset register their first victory which was against Hampshire at Blandford. With this maiden victory under their belt the Dorset 50+ side went from strength to strength.
1989 saw a change in sponsors to “The Perry Contracts Hire” and the Southern Counties Group consisted of sides from Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Wales, Devon and Cornwall. This was a highly competitive group which saw the Dorset side win 3 and lose 3.
As the years have gone by the ECB competition has gone from strength to strength with 5 groups of 8 Counties across the Country with the winners and runner-up’s of each of the groups contesting a knock out stage to find the overall champions. The best Dorset has achieved is runners-up to Lancashire in 1993 losing by 8 wickets.
2007 saw the introduction of a second Competition for Over 50’s cricket, the Southern Counties Senior Championship (SCSC) was launched with Dorset winning the Competition in the inaugural year.
Counties in the groups of Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire, Wales and Channel Isles with each County playing each other once. The Dorset 50+ County are now sponsored by “J & G Environmental” and are looking to move forward following the recent recruitment drive to attract new players.
So, it is very clear that Cricket for the Over 50’s is very much alive with over 40 Counties across the Country involved.
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