THE weather may have played its part in preventing Somerset from beating Kent in their last home match of the season at Taunton, but one of the rain breaks led Yours Truly being able to meet up with somebody after a break of 46 years.

The person in question is Philip Webber who was at the first day’s play after taking part in Ron’s March for Prostate Cancer for the Bob Willis Fund.

Back in 1974 when I first moved to Wheddon Cross and signed up to play for the local village side Cutcombe Cricket Club, a young Philip Webber was captain.

Back then he was a very quick bowler and a lower order bit hitting batter, something he is still doing for the team at the age of 71 in addition to which he has also played for Somerset Over 70s.

In that first season Cutcombe took part in the Porlock Six a side tournament where Phil remembered one of our team hit a six that went out of the ground and through the front door of a nearby house, much to the owner’s surprise while he was sitting in front of the television.

The West Somerset Cricket League had not started and back then all of the fixtures were against other local teams- all within easy travelling distance.

Among the teams we played were Exford, who had Merv and Arthur Saunders fronting up their bowling plus John Lethaby to open their batting and a young Kevin Atkin s - games against them were always very keenly contested.

Cutcombe also played against Bridgetown, where Doug Sherring was the main man with both bat and ball and Winsford where a young George Strickland was always a threat.

Minehead Seconds were a regular fixture and a young Stuart Tudball featured in one of the early matches. The first year Dunster played on their new ground Cutcombe were among the visitors and likewise when Carhampton reformed they played against us.

Other teams who featured occasionally were Huish Champflower, where I first met Mary Elworthy-Coggan who is now the WSCL President, Morebath and Holford and I recall that after doing cricket teas against the latter my wife had to be rushed to Musgrove Park for the birth of our youngest son!

Talking of cricket teas the ones that were laid on at the Moorland Hall across the road from the cricket field were second to none. After matches the teams would retire to the Rest and Be Thankful where mine host served a pint of Bass from the barrel, to relive the afternoon’s match and joy each others company!

It was a pleasure to meet up with Philip after all these years and during the course of our time together we chatted about some of the others who played for Cutcombe almost 50 years ago- Norman Painter, Jimmy Stevens, Eric Clarbull, Charlie Smith, John Matravers, Edgar Webber, Arthur Webber, Roger Webber, Harold Stevens , Trevor Stevens and Donald Heard -to name but a few.

Cricket always was and hopefully always will continue to be more than just a game, it’s a social activity where you get to meet so many new people and form friendships that last a lifetime. Long may that continue.