£800 raised for Wilts Air Ambulance as The Boot wins the new Paul Gahan Memorial Trophy
On a hot August bank holiday Monday, Ollie Turner's occasionals arrived to represent The Boot against Fonthill in the now traditional charity game, and got off to a great start scoring 136 in their first 20 over innings with well-hit shots peppering the boundary. Fonthill were 22 adrift of this score after their 20 overs. It was a hot day with much-needed liquid refreshments being taken at regular intervals to keep fluid-levels high, especially by The Boot players, all of which meant the bar staff were kept busy. This further lubricated their scoring-prowess in the second innings leaving Fonthill facing a gargantuan 201 to get in their second innings, and they fell short by forty at close, despite some brisk running in the heat and some fine fours.
Ron and Ruth Turner of The Boot in Tisbury kindly donated a new trophy for this annual fixture, named in memory of Paul Gahan who for many years umpired the game and who sadly died earlier this year. His widow Jo and son Tom were at the ground all day and made the presention to The Boot's captain Ollie Turner. There was a good crowd to enjoy the day and the assembled throng were reminded by Chairman Eric Tracey that profits from the bar, match fees, raffle and barbecue will be donated to The Wiltshire Air Ambulance appeal in Paul's memory. The Club is pleased to announce that this will be £800, which is a magnificent achievement, and makes a "grand" total of £1000 donated by the Clubto the cause this season. A big thankyou to all who played, ate, drank and donated raffle prizes and supported the day, and also to Eric Tracey, who umpired for 80 overs in the searing heat.
It was agreed that the new Paul Gahan Memorial trophy will reside in the cricket pavilion during the summer months and at The Boot over the winter. The pub last won two years ago, only to be beaten last year and then win convincingly this year. They vow to return and defend their custodianship of the trophy next August.
Follow this link to see more of Tim Jones' great pictures of the day: