HEATHCOAT are aiming to reunite as many members of their 2000 Premier Division side as they can for this season's Graeme Townsend memorial game this Saturday.

Graeme, whose brothers Gareth and David both played for Devon, didn't allow serious disability to stop him being involved in cricket.

He was Heathcoat's secretary for many years and was immersed in cricket in and around Tiverton. Graeme died in February 1999 aged 35 and the memorial match has been played every year ever since.

One of the last successes Heathcoat enjoyed during Graeme's lifetime was winning promotion back into the Premier Division in 1998.

Terry Townsend, Graeme's dad, has been hard at work for some time assembling a team of players who were with the club in that promotion-winning season. They will play against a Tiverton & District XI.

"The willingness and enthusiasm of all players to take part is a tribute to Graeme's contribution to local cricket and the team spirit engendered by all those involved over the last 12 years," said Terry.

"At the moment we have nine of our old Premier side, including four previous Heathcoat captains — Gareth Townsend, Andy Giles, Julian Wyatt and Paul Elliott.

"Nick Folland, the old Devon and Exmouth captain, is playing, as is North Devon's ex-skipper Rob Ayre and Hemyock skipper John Hurley. I hope it is not a case of too many captains spoil the game!

"Heathcoat old boys Mark Berry, Gareth Edwards and Mark Lewis have said they will play, plus young additions to the side in Harrison Folland and Jack Townsend."

The opposition will again be made up of players from local clubs who were linked with Graeme, including Jim Cridland as manager.