The latest Q&A is with another Hill stalwart Steve ‘Lippa’ Dunsford.
Steve, who now resides in Rotherham, Yorrrkshire, was undoubtedly the most talented of the three Dunsford brothers (Chris the eldest and Phil the youngest) who all graced the Denton Bank fields for many years from the 1970s onwards. Here is what he has to say in his Q&A session:
Q1. How many years have you been a member at the Hill?
I think the first junior side was set up around 1970. I have been a member on and off since then.
Q2. What other clubs/teams have you played for?
Madeley College. British Colleges. Ickenham CC. Northowram Hedge Top CC. Barkisland CC. Walker School CC (Midweek League). Durham City CC. Brandon CC. Northumberland CCC. Whiston Parish Church CC.
Q3. What’s your best performance for the Hill?
Probably the 50 I scored (out of 80) in the win against Tynedale on the day Lunny nearly died on us!
I also once scored a few against Scarborough in the National Club Knockout quarter final one year - but we lost that game! The Scarborough players were trying to give me abuse in the bar after the game, accusing me of only having one shot (as if!). That was the night John Charleton jumped to my defence with: “Well it must have been a f****** good’n ‘coz he scored 125!”
Q4. What was your most memorable season at the Hill?
1998 – the club won everything!
Q5. Best player you have played with for the Hill? and elsewhere?
For the Hill: Chris Craven (pro) + Julian Barrett (amateur)
Elsewhere: Peter Birtwisle
Q6. Best player you have played against? Batsman, Bowler and WK?
Batsman: Jimmy Adams
Bowler: Simon Brown
WK: Andrew Pratt
Q7. Most feared opponent’s when playing for the Hill or other team?
Kelvin Williams - the most destructive player to play in the Northumberland County League?
Collie Soloman: he just wanted to hit batsmen rather than trying to get you out!
Q8. Best ground’s played at?
Bridgetown Oval
Fenners
Old Trafford
Q9. Team you always love to beat?
Tynedale (because it wasn’t very often!)
Q10. If you could make one change at the Hill what would it be?
Move it closer to Rotherham!
Q11. If you could make one change to NEPL what would it be?
Scrap lunch break
Q12. Advise for young cricketers?
Socialise with the opposition after every game
Q13. Favourite cricketers of all time? Batsman, Bowler and WK
Batsman: Viv Richards
Bowler: Shane Warne
WK: Alan Knott
Q14. Your best ever Hill XI
Picked from people I played with at the Hill over the years.
Simon Birtwisle, John Charleton, Paul Cormack, Julian Barrett, Alan Thompson, Chris Craven (pro), John Windows, Philip Nicholson (w/k), Lee Crozier, Stuart Allen, Edson Brown.
Q15. Your best ever Northumberland XI
Ken Pearson, Jon Benn, Graham Morris, Alan Thompson, Mike Younger, Philip Nicholson, Kevin Corby (w/k), Peter Graham, Ken Norton, John Windows, Lee Crozier.
Q16a. Your best ever Northumberland County XI?
No Pro's - all amateurs at some time.
Ken Pearson, Jon Benn, Graham Morris, Paul Cormack, Scott Kay, Paul Pickworth, Stuart Tiffin (w/k),Jimmy Purvis, Graham Wilson, Rami Verma, Craig Stanley
Q16b. Best team you have played against?
How about this lot of test players I have played against at some time in my career. Canny team I am sure you will agree.
Marcus North, Desmond Haynes, Roland Butcher, Richie Richardson, Jimmy Adams (w/k), Chris Old, Malcolm Marshall, Dilip Doshi, Wasim Akram, Courtney Walsh, Kenny Benjamin
Q17. Your best ever England XI
Alistair Cook, Graham Gooch, David Gower, Kevin Pieterson (sorry!), Ben Stokes, Ian Botham, Freddie Flintof, Alan Knott (w/k), Derek Underwood, Jimmy Anderson, Fred Truman.
Q18. Your best ever World XI
Sunil Gavasker, Gordon Greenidge, Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist w/k, Garfield Sobers, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.
Q19. Desert Island Album ? Song ? Book ?
Album: Frank Sinatra - Songs for Swinging Lovers
Song: Bohemian Rhapsody
Book: Lord of the Rings
Q20. Finally, funniest memory on a cricket field
Scottish cricket tour - playing at West of Scotland (1986?). Alan Turnbull (Tumbler), great darts player but never played cricket in his life, was an Alikadoo on that tour – just there for the drink! He is dragged in to play because we’re short (again!). He’s had a skin-full at lunchtime and is wearing a dress white shirt and everyone’s borrowed gear - none of which fitted! He is dispatched to field on the boundary as far away from trouble as we can put him. He’s happy as Larry with a packet of Hamlets and a lighter in his top pocket and can be seen smoking and disappearing for a piss at regular intervals during the game. Later in the innings, the ball gets smacked miles in the air to long off with, unfortunately, Tumbler being the closest fielder. He throws down his Hamlet, shouts “I’m never f****** getting that t***” and starts to gallop round the boundary. He has one hand holding his top pocket to stop his Hamlets and lighter falling out, adding “Watch me Hamlets!” as he runs towards the ball. He somehow gets to the ball, sticks out his free hand and the ball sticks in it - uttering the immortal words “Piece of piss this cricket”! The Hamlets and lighter remaining safely in his top pocket. Not only the funniest moment on a cricket field but pulling off the greatest catch in BHCC history!
Editor : Wow Steve, that's a hell of a cricketing CV !
Steve : Do you know who I am ??
