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Green & Gold Legend #8 - Peter Bullock (January 26, 2010)
Peter "Basher" Bullock is a man mountain and yet another great character who came to the club around merger. Even now, his life tends to revolve around the rugby field. At school in Stowe, he was quickly identified as a useful terrier-like scrum half and fast tracked into the Northampton club. In those days, it was still “who-you-knew” and not how good you were (it says here in an unnamed biography) and so after struggling to get an extended run in the 1st XV, he moved to Birmingham and finally to Blackheath “the oldest rugby club in the world” where he played very successfully for many years. In those pre-professional days, it was a diet of club matches and friendlies against the bigger welsh sides or exiles like London Scottish, Welsh or Irish. Having seen Peter’s spirit in evidence in many arena, he would no doubt have given professional rugby a shot if he’d been around at the right time. These days he can be found at Pulborough RFC where he's (we believe) finally hung up his boots after a few seasons with the port drinkers. He now assists with the coaching of one of his son's age groups with few people knowing much of the great man's history. Hopefully this piece will have gone someway to belatedly giving him some rugby recognition in West Sussex
In the summer of his youth, Peter tended to play tennis which he still does across the Rec. at West Chilt Tennis Club. Basher got into cricket through Windy Miller (it’s all nicknames as you know at our club). Windy encouraged him to come down & watch West Chiltington to see if he wanted to join. He played the odd game but really came into his own as part of the Thakeham gang that assisted in getting the Club to where it is today. (Peter was actually the last Thakeham club captain pre merger – mainly because his rugby bark certainly brought people into line). Following merger, he was a steady 1st XI middle-order batsman until the end of 2008 when he decided (no doubt prompted by his wife) to quit playing cricket and concentrate on his tennis. Peter rarely made ducks – his stock score was in the twenties. This showed that although he wasn’t a natural cricketer, his bulldog determination ensured he fought for every run when batting.
Since his rugby playing days, Peter has struggled with old war wounds notably his knees but being the bulldog he is, he still keeps very active. He recently cycled the South Downs Way – several others walked most of the hills but not Bash. He also loves skiing and whenever he’s at a “do”, can be relied to dress up (even when it’s not fancy dress...) and is always last off the dance floor.
Certainly we missed him at the club last season and with all his boys seemingly knocking the game on the head, he won’t be around so much now. However no doubt if we clinch promotion, he’ll re-appear at the bar with that knowing smile of his!
Awarded legend status for his grit & determination and for being the last Thakeham captain!
Peter Bullock – Green & Gold Statistics
Seasons at West Chilt & Thakeham: Eight (2001-2008)
Batting: 55 innings, 882 runs at an average of 17.29;
High Score: 56 runs at St Matthias opening in a 1st XI League game.
Bowling: Seven overs, one wicket for 23 runs.
Best: 3-0-10-1 in the opening day friendly at Slinfold in April 2005.
Game results: Peter won 54% of WC&T games he was involved in
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