Player Profiles               

Past Greats

Richard Blake

All rounder Richard 'Blakey' Blake was a regular and important member of the HCC side throughout the 1990's, reaching almost legendary status by the end of his career. Cunningly disorientating batsmen by his four pace run up, he would consistently bowl a near perfect line and length and regardless of conditions, impart the 'Blakey wobble'. Rather like a fine bottle of Claret or Amanda Donohoe, he improved with age. During the latter part of his career he had achieved almost metronomic precision, 'wobbling' at will both on and off the field. A top order batsmen with a sound technique he was a consistent and heavy runscorer, often putting his body on the line for the team. Testament to this was the fragile 'Blakey Back', a forerunner to the Owen hamstring. Such was his importance to the team, that Father Beake would often lead his congregation in prayer for a healthy 'Blakey back '. During the mid 90's players were no longer expected to pack the bag if they failed to score, but to administer a massage to the Richard's back as a prelude to the next match. Ever one to encourage his team mates, a string of low scores in 1996 enabled half the team to achieve their Stage One Massage Proficiency badges. It was suggested that at one point some team members were ready to abandon their careers for a life as a qualified masseurs. An innovative and entertaining fieldsman it was revealed that Michael Flatley's riverdance was directly inspired by Richard's slip fielding. Forever the entertainer, he would excite the crowd by his hilarious 'Hot Potato' catching style that would be practiced to astounding effect in later years by Stephen Ritchie. By "The Colonel"

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