MORE THAN 50 past players across the ages turned out to watch the current Minehead First XI in action against North Petherton in the Somerset Cricket League last Saturday.

They included Paul Thomas, Denis Compton, Martyn Knight Paul Saunders, Andrew Stevens, Ian Bowditch, Richard Furse and Stuart Tudball, who all played in that 1986 side.

There was also an international flavour to the day with David Hurley from Australia and Kevin Murrell from New Zealand who both played in the team both making the journey back to Minehead to join in with the 40th celebrations.

Another player who had travelled back from overseas was Charlie Tudball who now lives and plays cricket on the Isles of Scilly.

The oldest player on the day was David Veale who will be 90 years young in November.

During the course of the afternoon those present held a minute’s silence in memory of Sylvia Parsons, one of the tea ladies from 1986, who passed away recently.

The 1986 captain Stuart Tudball, who organised the event, said: “The whole day was a great success. In fact it was better than I could have hoped for. As captain of the team that won the title I wanted to do something special to mark the anniversary - and it was.”

Meanwhile Minehead A XI were in West Somerset League Cup quarter final action on Tuesday evening against Stogumber who, after being put into bat, posted 170 for 8, of which Justin Hayward made 71 and Theo Bennet 49, while for the visitors 14 year old Josh Dyer claimed 3 for 17.

In reply Minehead, who were chasing a league and cup double, having established a big lead at the top of Division Three, made 127 for 9, with Felix Bennett taking 6 for 26.