Geoff Owen, one of the most prolific run scoring batsmen of his generation in Hampshire club cricket, has left the crease for the last time, having died recently, aged 69, after a brave battle against cancer.
He scored a phenomenal 33,000 runs for Havant, who he led to a succession of Southern League titles in the Seventies, and over 5,000 for the Hampshire Seniors.
He was a popular, inspirational and hugely respected PE teacher, who knew exactly how to get the best out of his pupils.
A teacher at the Havant and Southern Grammar and then Mayfield School, Geoff was raised in the West Country and played cricket for Tavistock as a teenager.
He studied at St Luke’s PE College, now Exeter University, before taking up his first teaching appointment at Havant Grammar School – a move which introduced him into Hampshire sport, from which he went on to make an indelible mark by becoming one of the area’s most versatile sportsmen, summer and winter.
He played Hampshire League soccer for Ryde Sports at Partlands and was also a flying winger for Havant hockey club’s first team in the days of grass pitches.
“He always wore glasses and the sight of him scampering down the wing with that ubiquitous knotted thin white elastic securing his spectacles to his head is something I’ll always remember,” smiled close friend and long term Havant team-mate Robin Sykes.
But alongside his family, cricket was always his first love – and his staggering statistics bear out what a fine batsmen he was.
Doughty, courageous and resolute are three words that come to mind to describe his batting.
Bowlers simply hated bowling at him.
His batting stance was unorthodox, but his ability to get to the pitch of the ball and power shots through the covers was beyond reproach. He was always the guy to have in your side.
Owen played for Havant for over 45 years, nine of them as captain, and was an excellent role model as a cricketer. He was competitive, but always played within the context of fair play and with a degree of fun.
As a captain, he carried masses of statistics in his head and during the game could often figure out the results before Duckworth/Lewis.
He was always able to reel off his batting average, usually a healthy one at that!
An outstanding Southern League career in its twilight years, Geoff slipped down to play second and third team cricket at Havant, skippering the thirds with great skill and understanding, especially with the younger players trying to make their way in the game.
But the competitive element of his game was far from over as he became a major player for the Hampshire Seniors for over 17 years, scoring over 5,000 runs, including six centuries.
He captained Hampshire 60s and was elected to play for the England Seniors team in 2009, having scored a magical 850 runs in his final 2014 season, after which his illness was diagnosed.
Owen was a warm, supportive and generous man who filled almost every role possible during his long association with Havant, where he was the club’s President.
Tributes have poured in, one from Cornish cricket legend Geoff Husband, who taught Geoff in the West Country and played with him at Tavistock.
“As a long retired teacher, the three former pupils whom I have most etched on my memory all became prominent sportsmen. One, an England International rugby player was David Trick. Another, Jack Davey, was to have a long and distinguished career with Gloucestershire. But the third was the one who will stay most vividly in my memory is Geoff Owen. I like to think I had some influence on his development into as fine a club cricketer as you could wish to meet. He was a lovely man and a hard opponent on the field, but generous nevertheless,” he said.
Mr Husband also revealed that Geoff Owen was a talented bowler at the embryo stage of his career.
“I vividly recall Geoff playing against a powerful Worcestershire Club & Ground side one day for Tavistock and taking 3-50 off 17 overs. George Headley and Norman Gifford Bob Broadbent, Martin Horton and Bob Carter were all in the Worcester side.”
Geoff’s life will be celebrated at The Oaks Crematorium, Bartons Road, Havant PO9 5NA next Monday (4 April 2016) at 2.30pm and afterwards at The Brookfield Hotel, Havant Road, Emsworth. MV.
He scored a phenomenal 33,000 runs for Havant, who he led to a succession of Southern League titles in the Seventies, and over 5,000 for the Hampshire Seniors.
He was a popular, inspirational and hugely respected PE teacher, who knew exactly how to get the best out of his pupils.
A teacher at the Havant and Southern Grammar and then Mayfield School, Geoff was raised in the West Country and played cricket for Tavistock as a teenager.
He studied at St Luke’s PE College, now Exeter University, before taking up his first teaching appointment at Havant Grammar School – a move which introduced him into Hampshire sport, from which he went on to make an indelible mark by becoming one of the area’s most versatile sportsmen, summer and winter.
He played Hampshire League soccer for Ryde Sports at Partlands and was also a flying winger for Havant hockey club’s first team in the days of grass pitches.
“He always wore glasses and the sight of him scampering down the wing with that ubiquitous knotted thin white elastic securing his spectacles to his head is something I’ll always remember,” smiled close friend and long term Havant team-mate Robin Sykes.
But alongside his family, cricket was always his first love – and his staggering statistics bear out what a fine batsmen he was.
Doughty, courageous and resolute are three words that come to mind to describe his batting.
Bowlers simply hated bowling at him.
His batting stance was unorthodox, but his ability to get to the pitch of the ball and power shots through the covers was beyond reproach. He was always the guy to have in your side.
Owen played for Havant for over 45 years, nine of them as captain, and was an excellent role model as a cricketer. He was competitive, but always played within the context of fair play and with a degree of fun.
As a captain, he carried masses of statistics in his head and during the game could often figure out the results before Duckworth/Lewis.
He was always able to reel off his batting average, usually a healthy one at that!
An outstanding Southern League career in its twilight years, Geoff slipped down to play second and third team cricket at Havant, skippering the thirds with great skill and understanding, especially with the younger players trying to make their way in the game.
But the competitive element of his game was far from over as he became a major player for the Hampshire Seniors for over 17 years, scoring over 5,000 runs, including six centuries.
He captained Hampshire 60s and was elected to play for the England Seniors team in 2009, having scored a magical 850 runs in his final 2014 season, after which his illness was diagnosed.
Owen was a warm, supportive and generous man who filled almost every role possible during his long association with Havant, where he was the club’s President.
Tributes have poured in, one from Cornish cricket legend Geoff Husband, who taught Geoff in the West Country and played with him at Tavistock.
“As a long retired teacher, the three former pupils whom I have most etched on my memory all became prominent sportsmen. One, an England International rugby player was David Trick. Another, Jack Davey, was to have a long and distinguished career with Gloucestershire. But the third was the one who will stay most vividly in my memory is Geoff Owen. I like to think I had some influence on his development into as fine a club cricketer as you could wish to meet. He was a lovely man and a hard opponent on the field, but generous nevertheless,” he said.
Mr Husband also revealed that Geoff Owen was a talented bowler at the embryo stage of his career.
“I vividly recall Geoff playing against a powerful Worcestershire Club & Ground side one day for Tavistock and taking 3-50 off 17 overs. George Headley and Norman Gifford Bob Broadbent, Martin Horton and Bob Carter were all in the Worcester side.”
Geoff’s life will be celebrated at The Oaks Crematorium, Bartons Road, Havant PO9 5NA next Monday (4 April 2016) at 2.30pm and afterwards at The Brookfield Hotel, Havant Road, Emsworth. MV.
