ROBIN Longmore took an impressive seven wickets in just 11.4 overs for Barnards Green against Old Vigornians — 16 months after playing his last game of cricket.

Having received a text message on the morning before the Worcestershire League Division Four Second XI game, Longmore was returning after suffering a long-term back injury.

The 54-year-old self-proclaimed “very slow off-spin bowler” then proceded to complete career-best bowling figures of 7-43 to be the final winner of the season in our Worcester News player-of-the-week competition which earns him a £30 voucher to spend at the Fearnley Factory Shop.

Longmore stole the show despite his Barnards Green team suffering a losing draw against Worcester club Old Vigornians. The OVs scored 200 all out in 44.3 overs and Barnards Green replied with 140-8 in their 45 overs.

Longmore said: “It was one of those days as I am not usually a bowler, I’m a batsman. “One of our young lad’s shoulder went and I volunteered.”

When asked how he felt after his performance Longmore quipped: “I have a poor shoulder now and am a little bit stiff.

“The wicket was very slow and I aimed to take the pace off the ball and bowled very slowly so the batsmen would have to hit it in the air.”

When asked what type of bowler he considered himself, Longmore joked: “A very slow off-spinner.”

His spontaneity certainly helped when bowling as Longmore said: “There is no pressure on me as a non-bowler usually. It was a pleasant surprise as I was just there to make up the numbers.”

The veteran’s remarkable display certainly gave his team a much-needed confidence boost after languishing in the lower reaches of the division for most of the season.