EAST RIDING CRICKET SOCIETY

Steve Kirby - December 2019 Steve Kirby is clearly not a man who is easily nonplussed. Having surely been uncertain whether he had walked into a local pub function room or the well-stocked warehouse for the nearby tinsel shop, he showed neither nerves nor diffidence as he launched straight into the evening. He spoke without notes, which is a skill I admire, but with both verve and passion – characteristic of his playing days.  Steve did not have the easiest introduction to professional cricket, almost ruled out by an early back injury necessitating a remodelling of his bowling action, then a period using annual leave from work in search of a sustainable way to play. A break came in 2001 when he was called up for Yorkshire's Ist XI to replace Matthew Hoggard, who had been selected for England. Steve eagerly rejected the day job, accepted the chance, and the rest is history.  Steve reflected little on his stats during his talk but spoke much more about his feelin...

Derek Pringle - November 2019 A capacity crowd enjoyed a wonderful evening with journalist and ex England allrounder Derek Pringle. Cathy Rennison reports: 'It is not unusual for guests to bring their favourite Geoffrey Boycott anecdote for our mutual entertainment, but Derek Pringle offered a unique insight into the newly minted Sir. In the hands of a less assured speaker, this could have been a controversial moment – the mixing of recent high politics with a marmite cricketer. But no – we were in safe company so could relax and enjoy the idea of the last PM's unexpected elevation of the England opener, and of the enduring teenage crush that perhaps lay at its heart. In many amusing and entertaining stories, Derek brought other greats of his time into the room alongside him, recalling their exploits both on and off the field. When I next see Beefy, my mind’s eye will also spot somewhere nearby a large glass containing an indecent measure of scotch topped with a calorifi...