Cyril Davey helped Loose win a Kent Village League match for the first time in three seasons - five months after the heart attack that almost killed him.

Davey feels lucky to be alive after falling ill at home last December.

The 77-year-old lived to tell the tale and recovered so quickly that doctors gave him the all-clear to keep playing cricket.

Fresh from two friendly wins, Davey helped Loose beat Bobbing Court by three wickets in their Division 6 opener.

He took 2-38 with his spin, including a caught-and-bowled, as Bobbing closed on 178-7.

And he was out in the middle with Rob Wood, his successor as captain, when Loose scored the winning runs.

Davey said: “The heart attack nearly killed me.

“I’d never known pain like it - I can’t explain how intense it was.

“I was rushed to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and they did a superb job.

“The paramedics and the staff at the hospital saved my life and I’m so grateful.

“When I came out I’d lost 80% of my body strength. I couldn’t even lift two pints of milk.

“After treatment I started cardio rehab and a few months down the line, the consultant was so pleased.

“I’m glad to be alive. I’m on a free life and I’m determined to enjoy it.

“I stayed on as president of Loose but I gave up the chairmanship and the captaincy so I could just enjoy playing.

“I’m not going to worry about anything. I don’t want the responsibility any more. I can sit back and enjoy life and have the mickey taken out of me.”

Davey poked fun at himself as he talked about Loose’s first win since the 2014 season.

He said: “We didn’t win a game for two years with me as captain, so I can’t have been very good!

“We needed fresh blood and we just seem to play better with Rob.

“We’d won our last two friendlies and it was really good to get that first league win.”