Swine flu hits cricket team for six
FIFTEEN members of a cricket club have been struck down with swine flu in less than 48 hours.
Five first-team players at Longton Cricket Club are among the casualties being treated with the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
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A further five players have also got the virus, along with five club officials.
It is thought club professional Roger Sillence sparked the outbreak after two of his work colleagues in Bristol were taken ill last week.
The 32-year-old travelled to North Staffordshire on Friday night to stay with team-mate Peter Wilshaw and managed to hit his highest score of 52 for Longton on Saturday.
But first-teamers Peter Wilshaw, James Towle, Alex Thorley and Tom Mellor, who also played against Moddershall at the weekend, are all now on Tamiflu after becoming ill.
Club captain Peter, pictured, aged 22, from Blurton, said: "I felt like I was going to die. I was drifting in and out of consciousness. I wasn't taken to hospital because of the risk of spreading swine flu."
Roger, who stays with the Wilshaw family ahead of Longton games, said: "I felt a bit rough on Friday, but put it down to being stuck in the car for a long journey.
"Then on Saturday I felt awful. I played but it was really hard work. I had to dose up on Lemsip and Paracetamol."
Club officials are hoping their star players will have recovered in time for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Knypersley. But Longton chairman Peter Wilshaw snr, aged 52, admitted: "We may have to think about postponing games to prevent it spreading."
Moddershall coach Andy Housley, meanwhile, a 56-year-old, from Meir Park, said: "No- one at our club has declared any health problems at all to do with swine flu, just cricket injuries."
Health officials have reported fewer people going to doctors' surgeries in North Staffordshire since the launch of the national flu helpline last week.
The National Flu Service can be reached on 08001 513100.
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4 Comments
by Kevin Herriman, Blurton
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:04PM
“To Pete and all at Longton CC get well soon”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 6:34PM
“Must be a slow news day, frount page of the paper this effort.”
by Ranting, Talke
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 12:52PM
“Better headline would have been.
"Cricket team finally manage to catch something"
Only kidding.. hope everyones OK.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 12:19PM
“Hope every ones feeling better soon.
Brilliant headline”