Family are the leading lights at Beacon
IT'S been a special few weeks for the Howarths with three members of the family all reaching the landmark of 100 Shropshire County Cricket League appearances for Shrewsbury-based Beacon CC, writes Stuart Dunn.
They have each been presented with a commemorative burgundy and gold baggy cap – the club's colours – taking the number of players to have received the honour from Beacon up to 11.
The Howarths showed a perfect sense of timing by achieving the milestone within two weeks of each other – with dad John joined in the centurion club by sons Alwyn and Dave, this season's first team skipper.
John made his Beacon debut in May 2010 and has since become an economical opening bowler in the club's second XI. He has taken 138 league wickets with his best return 5-27.
The two brothers both debuted in 2008. Alwyn, the elder of the two, has established himself as the second team wicketkeeper and a reliable middle order batsman, but his only game in the firsts this season ended with him in hospital having dropped a catch behind the stumps off Dave's bowling when the ball struck him painfully just above an eye.
Dave, the youngest of the trio, is currently averaging just under 37 with the bat and with his highest score an unbeaten 67. He has also claimed 17 wickets this summer and will continue to balance his availability with playing football for West Midlands League Premier Division club Haughmond.
A talented striker with a keen eye for goal, he was named the League's player of the year last season.
