Charles Randall

28 July 2014

Dave Allen has died on the field while representing Hertfordshire Over-50 II in a game against Surrey II at Maori CC at Oxshott.

Allen, 49, a seam bowler with Preston CC in the Hertfordshire League, had just completed his second over when he collapsed. The efforts of several qualified first-aiders among his colleagues and the ambulance crew were unable to save him.

Preston, located near Hitchin, paid this tribute on their club website: “Known to us all as Mad Dog, Dave was an integral part of the Saturday seconds and, in later years, the thirds line-up as a specialist opening bowler who could swing the willow later down the order. With channelled and fiery aggression Dave was well known in cricketing circles and was effective for every skipper he played with. A true club man of the traditional order, he was always available, Saturday and Sunday, and gave 110 per cent in every game. He passed away playing the game he loved. All of our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the Allen family right now.”

Allen's was the second on-field death suffered among Hertfordshire clubs this season after the passing of the Kings Langley seamer Dave Percy at the age of 50 in May.