Downham Stow skipper reveals all in Q&A

Pat Yates discusses years of playing top-level football and cricket for Downham in Gavin Caney’s weekly column in Your Local PaperPat. What are your earliest memories of cricket?Playing whilst watching my dad play down at Mundford Cricket Club.I used to play all day and evening. I’ve also got lots of memories playing for Mundford until I moved to Downham Town at 18.What is it about the sport that you enjoy the most?There’s nothing better than being outside on a lovely summer’s day, playing sport is there? I think it’s the tension when you play all day and the game comes down to the final few overs. I enjoy the pressure and the feeling when you win. The social side is great too though and a few drinks in the bar after the game on a nice summer’s evening is always enjoyable.How do you get your cricket fix during the winter or are you happy for a break?I don’t really. I used to play football for Downham Town until last season so would switch off from cricket completely and focus on that. Now I’ve finished football, I’ll just be spending time with the family – especially as the cricket league season is a bit longer in the East Anglian Premier League (EAPL).I think we’ve got a nice holiday booked for the end of September. As an individual, how did you feel when it was first mooted that Downham Town and Stow cricket clubs could merge?Well, I was part of the small group that discussed it first, as I was captain of Downham. We thought it would be a great opportunity to pool our resources across the whole club so that we could offer more to everyone.Covid happened at the perfect time in some ways and gave us a year to trial and plan it without having to commit.There had never been any bad blood between the two clubs and I think the majority of people could see the benefit it could provide to everyone for the future.I’d hope to think we’ve shown that already in the five years since. It was an exciting time to be merging and I can’t really believe it’s already been five years since it happened.Is it fair to say that since that happened in 2020, it’s gone even better than expected?I would say so. First and foremost, we were just looking to make sure our clubs has a future and could provide cricket for many years to come.I think everything else that comes with it is just brilliant. Ladies’ teams, lots of youth success, two Norfolk Alliance titles, EAPL cricket, new state-of-the-art practice facilities, one of the best grounds in Norfolk. The list goes on and it’s testament to the hard work of everyone involved.We’re always looking to grow, especially in our youth age groups, so if you’re reading this and have children from the age of five to 15 who fancy giving cricket a go, then get up to Stow on a Friday night when we do our coaching.It’s a great sport for everyone, boys and girls.Downham have long been one of the best teams around, how did it feel to finally clinch promotion to the EAPL last year? It’s something we perhaps could have done in the past but didn’t have the ground, or the willingness from the players, to do it.To get there is massively exciting but to do it with a team with real potential to do well is even better.We’ve all been excited to play some really tough cricket and challenge ourselves in what is considered one of the best leagues in the country.You guys have started magnificently. Tell us how, and why, you think you’ve begun the year so well and is there a noticeable step up in standard? There is a big step up, yes, but we have some really talented players, lots of experience and an overseas player in Sachindu Colombage who has come in and done really well too.I think we’ve come off the back of a really successful year and when you get used to winning it only helps.I think the better standard has brought the best out of our players and we had three different centurions in the first five games which is remarkable.I couldn’t really have asked for more from the boys, the commitment they’ve shown and their performances have been brilliant and long may it continue. We’re not getting carried away because we’re only six games into 22 but it’s a good start.What team-mates have impressed you most so far? You’ve added some real quality ahead of playing at your highest level.All of them, if I’m honest. Everyone has contributed, which to be able to say after six games is some effort.All the Wilcox’s have batted superbly, Freddie Fairey had a match-winning 80 and Will Denny made 100 coming into the team.With the ball, Sachindu and Brett Stolworthy have been the pick but everyone has been terrific.Sachindu’s spell against Mildenhall, especially, was match-winning and one of the best bowling performances I’ve seen in a long time.We can’t not talk about football. For years, you were a stalwart at Downham Town FC too. Put into words the emotion of recent successes which culminated in promotion this year to, like the cricket club, its highest-ever level.It’s brilliant for the town isn’t it? To have two teams being so successful, I’m pretty proud to have been a part of both.I stepped away from football midway through last year but I was as pleased as anyone to see them carry on and take the club even further forward.From where we were football-wise at the bottom of Step Six for a long time, to get to Step Four where you’re playing teams like Cambridge City and Lowestoft, it’s some achievement by Dale Stokes and the lads.I hope they’ll do well in the Isthmian League and the club will keep punching above its weight.On the spot, quick answers. Don’t panic, it’s just fun – or is it?! Football or cricket? Downham Town or Downham Stow? Do you think you’re a better footballer or cricketer?Cricket; Can’t Choose; ‘Was’ A footballer (too old now).Five quick factsPat sells Jordans Cereal for a living. He is an account manager who sells to Tesco and is based in BiggleswadeYates has just become a father for the second time with Eddie joining Hattie. He hopes they both grow up to play cricketAccording to Play Cricket, the Downham stalwart has scored 10,668 runs in 424 matchesNot content with being just a skipper at Downham Stow Cricket Club, he was also Downham Town Football Club captain until last seasonHe’s in his ninth season of being skipper at Downham Town/Downham Stow CCRestaurant or takeaway?Film or series?Bath or shower?Tea or coffee?Sweet or savoury?Summer or winter?Day or night?Holiday or staycation?Favourite food: ThaiLeast favourite food: MushroomsFavourite TV programme: Watching Welcome to Wrexham right nowLeast favourite TV programme: Wife is watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, I don’t get it!Favourite band/musician: Not into musicLeast favourite band/musician: N/AFavourite film: The Jungle BookLeast favourite film: Most, can’t concentrate long enough