PLAYING cricket in The Gambia… 'howzat' for a bizarre way to spend the first day of your honeymoon?

Yet that's exactly what cricket-nut Richard Blagden did after marrying his sweetheart Elaine out in The Gambia.

Richard is a member of the Torquay-based Cavendish Cavaliers club, whose members accompanied the couple to West Africa for the wedding celebrations.

With the ceremony out of the way, there was time for a limited-overs game against the Gambian national team on the ground at the medical centre in Fajara.

"Some of the Cavaliers were quite perturbed at the sight of vultures lurking in every tree as they walked out to face the bowling," said Blagden.

"We hobbled to 48 all out and most of the runs came in extras, although Terry Finnigan top-scored on his debut for us.

"The Gambia chased down the total in nine overs for the loss of just four wickets."

The Cavailers roped in Gambian friend Opa Keita to make up the numbers and he impressed the host team sufficiently to be invited to train with the national team!

Blagden said the match was the icing topping off a perfect occasion.

"My wife may not agree, but it was the perfect start to married life," said Blagden.

"Our hosts were fantastic, even arranging transport to the hotel and back, and until the moment we stepped out onto the pitch we felt like proper international cricketers.

"It was a real honour to play them. Hopefully Opa will get the chance to make a name for himself there as well."

Our photo of the Cavendish Cavaliers shows (from left) Bryan Alway, Ed Barrow, Kerry Smith, James Ryder, Si Cahill, Rich Blagden, Bob Fulford, Charles Ryder, Andy Ryder, Opa Keita and Terry Finnigan.