Pictured above is the Tavistock CC 1st XI in 2010 when they were captained by Andy Gauler. Back (left to right): Shaun Daymond, Rhys Davies, Matt Price, James McGahey, Shaun Cleave, Abhay Bygott; front: Peter Brown, Dave Manning, Gauler, Lee Baker and Dominic Scaglioni
BY TAVISTOCK CHAIRMAN DAVE MANNING
ANDY and I first crossed paths nearly 40 years ago, when I would go to watch my dad play for Milton Abbot in the Launceston & District evening League. I think I used to annoy him by pestering to bowl at me in the somewhat makeshift net!
Andy was captain of the 1st XI when is started my senior cricket career at 13, and he was adamant that myself and many other talented youngsters should be playing and fulfilling key roles, not just making up the numbers despite many dissenting views amongst the selection committee at the time. I know it is a belief he holds firm to this day: if they are good enough, get them in.
Andy was still the first-team captain when I made my debut and over the years we have captained and played under each other too many times to remember. Andy was always forthright and frank with an opinion, but you always got 100 per cent.
A nagging bowler who insisted bowling was quite straight forward really, bowl wicket to wicket, they miss you hit!. When bowling, anything that struck the pad was definitely out, and refusal from the umpire was always met with disbelief, which used to get under the skin of many an opposition batsman.
However, I do recall one occasion when he was bowling from the end that umpire Jack Neville (they had previous, known as the Cockington bat incident) was standing, upon striking the batsman on the pad Jack shouted out ‘don't even bother Andy; before he could say ‘how?’ As a moment it was only topped by Andy actually appealing for an lbw while umpiring during a second-team match recently! Needless to say his finger went up.
Andy was known as unorthodox as a batsman, best known for the ‘Crab Dab’ and unlike when bowling, was never out when struck on the pad (though you definitely wouldn't by a second-hand set from him).
He would frustrate opponents with his dogged defence, he was however flawed when it came to running between the wickets, he worked on the theory, I've hit a good shot so I'm running and has left many a partner stranded (including yours truly on many an occasion).
The most famous being the late Stuart Munday, after batting out many overs for a losing draw at Budleigh Salterton. only to run each other out on the final ball. As you can imagine, no one accepted any blame…
Ultimately a club man through and through who would always have your back both on and off the field, albeit not the best of roller drivers.
