EWES Priory Cricket Club president, Ron Cosham, died after a short illness on his 68th birthday. Ron was a popular and well respected local sportsman who holds a unique distinction of having captained his home town of Lewes at cricket, rugby and football. He also played hockey for Lewes and was a keen local golfer.
When successive hip operations put paid to the more physical sports in the early 1990s, Ron turned to bridge and was soon winning tournaments. A true sportsman, during his active playing days Ron once played organised games of rugby, football and cricket on the same day! Only a month ago John O'Connor and I had the privilege of going on a cricket tour of Holland and France with Ron acting as umpire.
Ron attended Lewes County Grammar School and in 1951 went to Loughborough College to become a physical education teacher. During a univeraity final, Ron once faced the legendary England fast bowler, Frank Tyson, who failed to take his wicket in either innings. Ron then taught for a year at his old school before moving to Chailey School where he enjoyed a distinguished career for more than 30 years before retiring from teaching in 1989.
Many local cricketers playing today have benefited from Ron's dedicated tuition. He always played with a straight bat, although he never really mastered the art of running between the wickets as many of his run-out victims will testify!
Fittingly, the day after Ron's death Priory won their league and will play in the premier division of the Sussex cricket league next season. Ron, a true Lewesian, leaves a wife Daphne, a son David and a daughter Elaine. The funeral will be on Thursday (September 23) at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, at 2.30pm. Donations should be made to arthritis charities.