Over the winter, club president Alan Howick made a promise and it was one he intended to keep. "Pick me for the Overs versus Unders fixture and I'll be there".

I doubt he could have foreseen having to field for 40 overs during the middle of the afternoon on the hottest day of the year but that wasn't going to stop a man who has cricket running through his veins.

A slightly more spritely Howick first played for the club in under 18's cricket in 1965. His professional commitments ensured that he enjoyed most of his playing career in Sunday cricket rather than the rough and tumble of league fixtures.

Nevertheless his love of the game hasn't diminished over the years and he's a regular fixture during games at Marigolds and one can only presume that he surveys the scene with a huge degree of satisfaction with the transformation of the ground under his tenure.

Resplendent in his whites with the added touch of colour from an 'interesting' choice of belt Howick took the field and instantly made the decision in keeping with any wise old cricketer - to field at deep cover / mid wicket under the scoreboard for the entire innings in the shade. Not that meant he wasn't in the game as the young Colts peppered his boundary at various stages. Many balls were stopped, often with the use of his boot or ankle, and maybe the odd one just crept through but he did his job manfully and to the very last ball.

After a quick tea and change of innings who better to open than the President himself. Clapped onto the field in a guard of honour by the Colts side. Off the mark with a sharpish single Alan clearly decided if it was in his ark it was going to go as a cold beer awaited. Evie Matthews hadn't quite read the script by nipping out his middle stump but deep down one suspects it was just what the boss wanted.

As he sat back in the dressing room urgently refuelling his body with energy gels and fluids (at least I think thats what he's doing in the photograph) Mr Howick could rightly reflect proudly on his efforts and no doubt many will draw comparisons with another iconic cricketing image from 1981.