Branscombe Ravens Cricket Club
The Team
Darren Copp
Our Captain, Darren, brings quality, talent and experience sadly lacking in the rest of the team. An outstanding bowler, he regularly finds the edge of the opener's bat, although this obviously rarely leads to wickets. He is also a decent middle order batsman, excellent fielder and outstanding retriever of balls. A perfect choice for Captain, Darren is a real gentleman off the field but fiercely competitive on it - qualities every Raven should possess.
Gary Pinnock
Our Vice-Captain, wicketkeeper and low order batsman, Gary is the engine room of the club behind the scenes and tries hard on the field of play with varying degrees of success. His athleticism behind the sticks cannot be faulted and although the shortest member of the side, his enthusiasm for the Club, for the sport and for after play refreshments knows no bounds. He still has many years left playing the great game and time to further fine tune his skillset, especially now the negative chirruping from first slip has gone. Carry on.
Keith Fernley
A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, within a beard, under a hat. Our Captain of Vice, he is the most feared bowler in the Raven's attack. His deliveries are unpredictable, beguiling and often unplayable, especially his trademark floater that leaves many opponents playing several shots before the ball arrives. Keith is also an accomplished batsman, batting anywhere from one to twelve. A real crowd favourite, he is the epitome of the Spirit of the Ravens: competitive, gracious, gregarious and unexpectedly effective. Unleash!!!
Becky Dormor
Our much loved Fixtures Secretary, Becky is the driving force behind most of the things that get done behind the scenes. Coming from over the hill from a little piece of heaven, fondly known by some as East Branscombe or West Seaton, she is an outstanding bowler who is underestimated at your peril. Probably the most competitive player in our team and is never one to back away from a lively debate with the opposition. A connoisseur of the fermented Apple Becky not only holds her own on the pitch but also in the clubhouse afterwards. Also partial to starting a good old singalong.
Graeme Shorthouse
Big hitting batsman from Birmingham with an unhealthy obsession for the leg side and pork pies. This generous gentle giant is always happy to get his wallet out after the game, although he is miserly with the ball in hand, bowling consistent, accurate yet highly predictable overs. A decent fielder, although he often wanders away from his allotted position, much to the annoyance of the captain. Our Treasurer and Tour Leader, he incredibly managed to get all but one of the team back from Amsterdam without arrest or serious injury.
Matt Brewster
An outstanding batsman, Matt has brought much needed quality to the top order. An elegant shot-maker, he effortlessly scores boundaries, which is just as well as he is not the quickest between the wickets despite using an enormous amount of energy in his running style. He is however, the fastest talker in the team and this speeds up to incoherent levels after just a couple of pints, especially when discussing Brexit or Chelsea FC. A real gentleman, Matt is highly competitive, gregarious and way past his best.
A perfect Raven.
Rick Dormor
The gentleman farmer. Rick is a kind hearted fellow who exudes confidence on and off the field. It has been said that he is the bravest player, as he is the only member to have his wife on the team. Rick is always sure of his ability, quietly getting on with the job. A very accomplished all rounder, Rick excels at fielding, and has a very safe pair of hands. When it comes to batting Rick can most certainly hold his own, knocking up countless runs effortlessly. Rick is a real team player, always encouraging others. A thoroughly decent chap.
Bobby Dormor
Young Bob is a serious talent, indeed he has already hit an unbeaten double century in league cricket . A novel approach to 'playing himself in' generally involves a first ball six down the ground which endangers those beyond the long on boundary. A safe pair of hands in the field, and a bustling medium pacer - one can wonder how good he'd be if he actually practiced!! Still in his early 20s - means there is still plenty of time to develop a beer belly, beard and start bowling pies to join the ranks of the more fully fledged Ravens.
Dan Fowler
Cake baking, wicket taking, hard drinking, Thatchers sinking, dry humping, fist pumping, big hitting, never quitting, shaven headed, Becky wedded, Arsenal loving sex sloth. Our Fines Secretary and trash talking First Slip, Dan is one of those unexpected all-rounders. Where he lacks in finesse he more than makes up for with his massive willow. But bowlers beware when he and his tree trunk are in full swing he will reach all parts of the playing area. Dan is also no mug with the ball either. His dibblie dobblies are surprisingly effective and his subtle changes of pace mean he is often amongst the wickets. Dan is our talented opener propping up the batting and the bar afterwards.
Paul Burke
Half-man, half-smile, EyeBall Paul has fitted into the team like a pint glass in a Raven's hand. He has proven himself an excellent bowler, fielder, drinker and sledger although his devotion to the "shit or bust" batting technique, aka Brendonball, means he rarely bats for long, one way or the other. A near ever-present with clearly no other social life, his booming laugh and infinite jolity means he has quickly become a fan favourite, particularly with our more mature followers.
Will Mudd
You may not make the link between sporting prowess and Will Mudd, or his other Raven's teammates, however his classical batting style puts many a cricketer to shame. A talented opener who has played at a decent level, (nothing lasts forever), and who scores runs for fun. A reliable 8th change bowler with a plethora of mysterious deliveries, many of which pitch or land on the track. Moreover, (often what batsman cry as Will's spell comes to an end), he's a man who is well liked among his peers and blends seamlessly with the Branscombe vibe. I am sure he will keep performing for the Ravens for years to come.
Brendon Rodgers
Brendon sick note Rodgers is our poster boy when he is not at the doctors waiting to repair his knee or other body parts. He keeps himself in good shape and is often dressed sharp. Batsmen beware, when Brendon has his ball in hand, no one can tell which way he will swing it and even Brendon himself is never quite sure. While batting is an area where Brendon has produced valuable runs for the team and his hook has been a productive shot for him, it is his fielding where Brendon excels. His enthusiasm and athleticism in the field is an inspiration to the rest of us. We shall all enjoy watching Brendon fielding the balls that the rest of us can only dream of reaching.
Fin Copp