Devon Cricket Board - Woodman playing at cradle of cricket

Woodman playing at cradle of cricket

FORMER Devon bowler Mark Woodman has opened a new chapter in his cricket career by playing for one of the oldest clubs in the world.
Woodman, 45, played 65 Championship games for Devon between 1987-1998 and in 26 one-day games.
For more than 20 years he was a mainstay of the Exmouth bowling attack and won eight Premier Division titles with the Maer Ground club between 1990-1999.
Woodman (pictured) learned his cricket with Ottery St Mary and returned to Strawberry Lane for the 2009 season.
He finished playing for Ottery last season and has since moved to Waterlooville in Hampshire and joined Hambledon CC.
If Lord’s is the home of cricket, Hambledon was the cradle where the game was nutured in the early days of odds matches and All England XI games.
Woodman said it is a smashing place to play cricket.
‘The ground at Ridge Meadow is beautiful with lovely views,” said Woodman.
‘We are competing in the Hampshire League Division Three South, whch t is of a similar standard to Ottery 1st XI.”
Woodman was one of several generations of Ottery cricketers who had their ground in the game with John Lovell, who died last week.
Lovell, a retired solicitor, spent more than 40 years as an Ottery member, progressing from player, to groundsman, to umpire and active member of the East Devon Youth League administration.
Woodman remembered Lovell with great affection.
‘He was ‘Mr Cricket’ and a tireless worker for the club,’ said Woodman.
‘He would spend hours at the ground after work helping to coach the colts in the nets.
‘John was a very useful number four batsman and used to play with my father.
‘When he packed up his whites, he became an umpire and got involved with East Devon Youth League cricket as secretary.
‘He loved cricket and never gave up watching even when he became unwell and will be sadly missed.’
John Lovell is survived by his wife Sandra and two sons. His funeral is at the East Devon Crematorium, Whimple on Thursday, May 15 at 1.00 pm.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773