THE cricketing vicar of Buckfastleigh was batting for Exeter Diocese yesterday in the biggest match of the clergy season – the final of the Church Times Cup. John Rowland and 14 other clergyman from the south west travelled to the capital on Wednesday, with an overnight stay paid for by the bishop to ensure they were fresh when they walked out on to the Southgate Compton ground yesterday. They were taking on last year's cup finalist and favourites, London Diocese. Exeter had comfortable wins against Leicester in the quarter finals and Chester in the semis. The diocesan team has also played against Devon Dentists, Devon Vets, Ottery St Mary and Hatherleigh. But Rev Rowland admitted that yesterday's match would be a David and Goliath contest. 'London Diocese has a lot more clergy to choose from and are often in the final. Exeter hasn't been in the final since 1970. If we play to our full potential, we might give them a run for their money.' The team's captain is Mark Ryland, a canon at Exeter Cathedral, and the team includes Richard Grinsted, a retired priest from Christow. The Rev Rowland has played in the Church Times Cup three times – the last time 15 years ago for the Liverpool Diocese and before that for Nottingham, while he was working there. If the cards had fallen differently, he might have had a very different career – as a professional footballer. He was picked by scouts to trial for Torquay United when playing in the Devon Youth Cup Final under 18s and was in their Reserve team for three months. Setting off for yesterday's match, he said: 'It is great to have a get together with the other clergy and meet with people you were at college with. It will be competitive. We will want to win, that is for sure.'
