Ventnor cricketers are mourning the sudden death of their popular groundsman Graham ‘Stumpy’ Cotton, who is believed to have suffered a heart attack in the Steephill car park last Thursday evening.
Aged 73, Mr Cotton had just returned to the island from collecting Ventnor’s Hampshire League overseas player from London Gatwick airport.
Island born and bred, ‘Stumpy’, as he was affectionately known, had supported Ventnor cricket for many years and was well known locally.
It was probably no surprise that the minds of the Ventnor players were ‘elsewhere’ when they were dismissed for 126 and comfortably beaten by Havant in their Premier Division opener.
Only Tasmanian Sean Willis, with 73, made an impact as four Havant bowlers – Hampshire prospect Brad Wheal included – each took two wickets.
Openers Peter Hopson (42) and Ben Walker (24) put on 74 for Havant’s first wicket before Richard Hindley’s 28 not out completed the formalities.
Aged 73, Mr Cotton had just returned to the island from collecting Ventnor’s Hampshire League overseas player from London Gatwick airport.
Island born and bred, ‘Stumpy’, as he was affectionately known, had supported Ventnor cricket for many years and was well known locally.
It was probably no surprise that the minds of the Ventnor players were ‘elsewhere’ when they were dismissed for 126 and comfortably beaten by Havant in their Premier Division opener.
Only Tasmanian Sean Willis, with 73, made an impact as four Havant bowlers – Hampshire prospect Brad Wheal included – each took two wickets.
Openers Peter Hopson (42) and Ben Walker (24) put on 74 for Havant’s first wicket before Richard Hindley’s 28 not out completed the formalities.
