Recreation Ground, Torquay

Somerset CCC have used many out grounds over the years but with the exception of one all have been within the current and / or historic county boundaries of Somerset within reason.  The one exception and therefore unique is The Recreation Ground Torquay, the home of Torquay CC, which between 1969 and 1975 played host to an annual Sunday League Match (under two different sponsors titles).

The inaugural match was against Sussex CCC – a side containing Jim Parks jnr who subsequently saw his first class career out with Somerset CCC.  Jim returned to The Rec in the early 90s as manager of the Old England XI.  The match also saw an early encounter between Greg Chappell and Tony Grieg with Chappell (and Somerset CCC) coming out the winner by 4 runs.

The following year, Somerset CCC returned to take on an Invitational XI – no scoresheets appear on CricketArchive though.

Somerset returned to “competitive” action in 1971 taking on Surrey CCC.  The visitors included a youngish Pat Pocock who also returned to The Rec with the Old England XI and was dispatched onto the roof of the rugby club bar by a certain Phil Bradford – a local master blaster of the late 80s / early 90s (Peter Such the England spinner at the time received the same treatment the same year in a testimonial match for John Childs).

The visitors in 1972 were Nottinghamshire CCC.  The visitors included a young Derek Randall who a decade and a half later virtually demolished Devon on his own in the NatWest Trophy at The Rec.

Sadly, the match in 1973 against Leicestershire CCC fell foul to the weather thus denying Roger Tolchard a member of Torbay’s local Tolchard / Twose (nephew Roger played a few matches form Somerset CC 2nd XI before finding success with Warwickshire CCC and New Zealand) cricketing dynasty an opportunity to play in-front of his local followers.  “Tolly” as he was affectionately known as was subsequently another returnee with the Old England XI though.

The weather was only marginally kinder the following year when Lancashire CCC were the visitors.  Included in the Red Roses XI was Jack Simmons who subsequently returned to the county to play for Roger Mann’s XI end of season match at Westward Ho! on at least one occasion.  Roger who sadly passed away late last year, served on Torquay’s committee for a time and had a cricket memorabilia second to none.  1974 saw the first major emergence of players that formed the Golden Years XI.

Earlier the same season as the visitors, Somerset CCC inflicted a defeat on Minor Counties South in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

The final “competitive” match was in 1975 when Somerset CCC took on Northamptonshire CCC.  Included in the victorious Northamptonshire CCC side was Bob Cottam who subsequently was Head Coach at Somerset CCC went onto  manage Torquay CC 1st XI briefly (his son Andy, spent time on the staff at Somerset CCC).  Sadly, Somerset signed off with a 46 run defeat despite having the nucleus of the team which subsequently formed the Golden Years team including Lord Botham and Sir Viv Richards.

Somerset CCC however returned one final time during the heat wave of 1976 to take on an Invitational XI – no scoresheets appear on CricketArchive though.

Somerset CCC did return for one final competitive match in 1990 however, for the second time as the opposition when they put Devon CCC to the sword in the NatWest Trophy – many records beaten and many lost balls.

The most recent “social” visit was in 2001 to help Torquay CC celebrate their 150th anniversary.  The side was led by Peter Anderson the CEO at the time, who played for Torquay CC around the same time as the early matches the club hosted, when he was stationed with the police on the English Riviera.  Also in the side was Matt Bulbeck who after his first class career came to a premature end, skippered Torquay CC 1st XI.

With “time” being called on virtually all out grounds.  The chances of The Rec ever hosting Somerset CCC again “competitively” is slim.  However, the ground is still a breeding ground for up and coming stars such as Sonny Baker.