THERE'S no substitute for experience - and Hartford Cricket Club have the Prew-f.
For one regular in the 1st XI this season has 47 playing years behind him.
Chairman John Prew, who is 68, has played every Saturday this summer, occasionally stepping down to the 2nds.
'I usually bat at nine and they won't let me bowl, so they must be picking me for my fielding,' he claimed.
Prew played in Saturday's 90 degrees and scored five not out, though his contribution was lost in the defeat to Bunbury.
'I can still run, but I avoid the slips. My reactions aren't as sharp as they were - the ball does not hit the middle of the palm so often.
'I am a fanatic. I love the game. 'My father captained Winnington Park and my son plays. It is in my blood. It is a way of life.
'Yes we are obviously short of players and that is because we let our junior section lapse some years ago, so we have not had players coming through.
'But we have relaunched the juniors and I have got 60 of them, but it will be three years before the first are ready for senior cricket.'
Until then, Prew will report for duty if required.
'I play for fun, the social side and the exercise and I am the oldest player I have come across this season,' he added.
Hartford play in the Cheshire Alliance and a quick check around other competitions suggests Prew is indeed the county's oldest competitive player.
