The latest Hill Q&A is with ex Hill and County captain Mike Younger. Mike joined the Hill in 1978, replacing Doug Ferguson as pro, after two successful seasons at Blyth. Mike was pro for an amazing 17 seasons at the Hill, his last season as pro was 1994, before he had one final season as an amateur in 1995 before his cricketing retirement, and transfer to the fairways of Hexham Golf club.
Q1. How many years have you been a member at the Hill?
A1. 20 years or so.
Q2. What other clubs/teams have you played for?
A2. Corbridge, Tynedale, Blyth, Northumberland.
Q3. What’s your best performance for the Hill?
A3. Batting – 125 v County Club. Bowling – 5 wickets in the same match
Q4. What was your most memorable game and season at the Hill?
A4. Beating Tynedale at Tynedale.
Q5. Best player you have played with for the Hill? and elsewhere?
A5. Hill – Nick Craig!!. Elsewhere – Claremont Depeiza.
Q6. Best player you have played against? Batsman, Bowler and WK?
A6. Bat – G Gouch, Bowler – C. Walsh. WK – K Corby.
Q7. Most feared opponent’s when playing for the Hill or other team?
A7. County Club
Q8. Best ground’s played at?
A8. Old Trafford
Q9. Team you always love to beat?
A9. Tynedale
Q10. If you could make one change at the Hill what would it be?
A10. Level pitch completely.
Q11. If you could make one change to NEPL what would it be?
A11. Revert to old league system (old fart that I am)
Q12. Advise for young cricketers?
A12. Devote more time to the game and work hard at it.
Q13. Favourite cricketers of all time? Batsman, Bowler and WK.
A13. Bat – Viv Richards, Bowler – C Walsh, WK – Alan Knott.
Q14. Your best ever Hill XI
NCD Craig w/k, N Hamilton, J Barrett, ME Younger, WJ Smalley, S Dunsford, C Craven, D Clark, H Dyson, L Jowsey, S Allen
Q15. Your best ever Northumberland XI
K Pearson, G Morris, M Mohammad, W Raja, ME Younger, G Halliday, K Corby, S Greensword, A Brown, PC Graham, K Norton
Q16. Team of the best players you have played against in your career:
G Gooch, R Woolmer, IVA Richards, A Border, IT Botham, K Williams, A Knott w/k, P Edmonds, J Emburey, W Daniel, C Walsh, Reserve - G Boycott!!!
Q17. Finally, funniest cricketing moments?
A17. Sight of Joe Thewliss wearing Norman Graham’s size 15 boots over the top of his own. Also as county captain I collected the chitties for travelling expenses. John Charlton gave me one for two trips from Morpeth for £5. I added a nought. The treasurer duly paid the expenses and Johns envelope was rather thicker than ours. Charley’s face when he opened the envelope was a picture, needless to say the £45 was returned.
