Nick
The Destroyer
Like a local version of the terminator he is widely
feared on the cricket field, can hit and throw a cricket ball harder
and further than any other club member, holds the record for the
most centuries in the club and is only the second Rainham player
to turn out for the county. His supporters would say he is more
than human.
Nick Plumridge turned up at the club with his father
Keith in 1988 as an aspiring fifteen-year-old bowler and coached
batsman. Very quiet and well behaved, I first remember him bowling
accurate medium pace at Headcorn. At the time I thought he lacked
aggression but this has changed and he can be vociferous and aggressive
as a bowler. Perhaps this is due to his experiences at the tough
and renowned former Woodlands school - who knows? In league cricket
he is a feared sight. Although he doesn’t possess a luminous
red eye or a metallic internal structure (well, not as far as I
know anyway...), his build and strength on the cricket field rivals
any Arnold Schwarzenegger.
After being nurtured in the Second XI in 1989/90
he began to make a real name for himself during the 1991 season
when the First XI did the league and cup double for the first time.
He took 5-28 against Sharsted for the First XI, scored 50 for the
Second XI against Castle and made many smaller contributions. His
ability was soon widely recognized and he was snapped up by Dover,
then a year later by Gore Court in the Kent County League. At around
the same time he made several appearances for Kent Second XI and
caused a sensation by bowling out future England batsman Marcus
Trescothick for single figures against Somerset Second XI.
Not wishing to betray his home club, Nick continued
to play for Rainham on Sundays and during the same period physically
filled out to become a powerhouse similar to Darren Gough in physique.
In 1994 this led to Nick scoring his maiden century against Detling
with 153 not out, followed up the next day with 114 against Beckenham.
With 6-38 against Holmesdale and 5-45 against Australian touring
side Quokka, Nick began to develop a reputation as an aggressive
and feared all-rounder. On the 1996 tour of Shropshire Nick was
a particular hit with 103 against Llanfyllin, 68 against Knockin
and 57 not out against Burbage. During the same season he took 8-27
against Willesborough for the Second XI – this was his best
bowling analysis until 2002, somewhat ironic considering he was
in fact bowling off breaks due to a foot injury at the time!
Although Nick was limited to Sunday and midweek
cricket for Rainham he still managed to produce the goods. Probably
his best and most mature innings during this period was his 112
not out against Sevenoaks Wednesday in 1998. He followed this up
with a magnificent 152 not out against Harbledown and 99 not out
against Tenterden in 1999.
During the famous 2000 millennium season, Nick played
a crucial role in the Rainham championship winning team as he returned
to the club on a full time basis. He took 38 wickets at an average
of 10.47 in the league for which he won the league’s bowling
award. He also contributed regularly with the bat and put in some
very useful all-round performances with the best being against High
Halstow with 98 not out and 3-32. During the same season he terminated
Headcorn with sheer batting aggression, scoring 132 not out in an
innings that included 22 fours and 4 sixes. He also punished Yalding
with 5-32 and St Mary Cray with 5-32.
As well as being a hero, Nick could also be the
villain and against Paddock Wood he made a big contribution to 41
no balls and wides. This could be partly excused as the broad shouldered,
muscular armed and wide framed Nick had started to bulk up even
further. This affected his knees because of the extra weight but
strengthened his arms so much that when he threw the ball in from
the boundary it often passed yards over my head behind the wicket
and sometimes went for four overthrows off the first bounce. When
he hit the ball while batting the ball seemed to travel with greater
power and distance than previously. Nick literally didn’t
realize his own strength.
With promotion to Division Three of the Kent League
Nick decided to stay with Rainham and not play at a higher level.
This was a good decision as the local destroyer ended up in eleventh
position in the league batting averages with 496 runs (at an average
of 45.9) and Rainham finished in sixth position in Division Three.
During this season his destruction of the opposition wasn’t
so widespread but he still smashed Gravesend for 142 not out in
a devastating innings that included seven sixes and eight fours.
He also hit Macknade for 100 in a partnership of 121 with Phil Bellars
and destroyed Chestfield and Old Elthamians to the tune of 81 not
out and 90 respectively. Nick was rapidly developing into a cricketing
terminator as he destroyed everything in sight while at the wicket.
During the 2002 season, in which Rainham won promotion
into the Kent League Division Two, Nick turned into an awesome local
cricketing superstar. Not only did he single-handedly destroy Bexleyheath
in the last league match of the season with 8-22, his best ever
analysis for Rainham, but he also took more wickets during the season
than any other league bowler, pushing ex Kent and England bowler
Martin McCague into second position - a great feat for the local
bowling hero. Further to this when he reached 94 in his innings
of 118 against Whitstable he became the first ever Rainham player
to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in a season. He had so
many successful individual performances during this season that
even the greatest doubters began to think that his Herculean achievements
were of superhuman proportions.
Aside from his Bexleyheath performance his highest
score was 122 against Harbledown and his best all round display
was 53 and 6-40 against Bapchild. He had so many other individual
successes that he was almost a one man wonder in the side and the
name Plumridge became familiar to those in the cricketing world
each side of the Medway.
As in all situations, things don’t last forever
and in 2003 Nick was struck down by injury early in the season and
didn’t reappear until July. Although this inhibited his achievements
he still had several good performances with the best being his 122
against Bearsted and 68 not out against Farningham as Rainham just
failed to win promotion to Division One by one point.
Although Rainham struggled during the 2004 season
Nick stood almost alone in some of the games, scoring 103 against
Sibton Park, 74 against RACS, 4-34 against HSBC Bank, 6-33 against
Farningham and 5-40 against Barbados Overseas. Rainham lost all
of these games. However, his 81 not out and 4-37 against Walmer
was vital in a match that Rainham had to win to avoid relegation.
Record breaker Nick is now firmly placed in the annals of local
Rainham history and has the potential to take the title of greatest
ever Rainham cricketer. Only time will tell if he achieves this.
In the meantime many more teams will no doubt have to deal with
the wrath and might of Nick the Destroyer.
David Wood 2005
