RAY Jones, the cricketer who holds the Craven League record for taking the most wickets in a season, has died aged 72.
It says much of his love for the game that he was still playing cricket and looking forward to the forthcoming season.
He transferred back to Gargrave – where his cricket career started – last year from Cowling. His ability to move a ball “both ways” was still evident in his bowling.
In 1976, playing for Jimmy Nelson’s SC he took 92 wickets which put him third in the table which was headed by Charlie Pritchard of Bradley, who took 97 and Maurice Gilbert, also of Bradley, who had claimed 93 victims.
The following year, having transferred to Pendle Forest SC, he broke the record with a superb haul of 98 wickets.
They say fast bowlers hunt in pairs, Ray’s partner in crime was Kenny Halstead. Batsmen used to quake when it was their turn to face this feared duo.
His funeral will take place on Friday, January 27 at Gargrave Parish Church at 11.30am.
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