Gentleman cricketer Derek Tulk, one of the few surviving members of the formidable and all-conquering Old Tauntonians team of the early 70s, has died.

Derek, who was 88, made two first-class appearances for Hampshire during his brief spell on the Northlands Road groundstaff.

His debut in 1956 was against Gloucestershire for whom England's Tom Graveney opened the batting.

The following year, he played once more against a powerful Cambridge University side that included England internationals Ted Dexter and Bob Barber. He also played at Lord's in a Second XI Championship match against Middlesex.

"Derek was old school. He threw the ball up above the eyeline, gave it a big tweak, and aimed to induce a false shot. He was ideal for Saturday afternoon club cricket and stuffed us all at one time or another," recalled long-time opponent John Wolfe, from New Milton.

Derek spun the ball a lot and, with his accuracy, perfectly backed up the OTs opening bowlers Tony Baker and Bernie Thomason.

READ MORE: It's 100 not out for this cricket-loving centenarian 

Tulk, who lived in Rownhams, had begun to make his mark in local cricket as a promising teenager for Tauntons in the Hampshire Schools’ Altham Trophy and in 1951 began a long rivalry with Itchen Grammar School’s Don Cartridge, who became one of the best batsmen ever to play locally.

He joined the Hampshire groundstaff in 1956, and later, having forged a lifelong career in insurance joined Old Tauntonians, where he played a prominent role in the club’s Southern League championship successes, alongside numerous wins in the old County Ground knockout competition.

Derek always had a word of encouragement for those on both sides who’d had a bad day with bat or ball.

"He was one of the finest players and finest people I had the honour to call a teammate," reflected Phil Green, who kept wicket to him on numerous occasions.

Both of Derek’s sons, Stuart and Ian became leading club cricketers and played in the same OTs team on a regular basis. His grandson Harry is now a prominent all-rounder with OTs & Romsey, whom Derek watched regularly.

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