But at age 52 the former Sheffield Shield representative hasn’t just returned to the field, Storey is helping prop up a depleted first XI and is resuming captaincy duties.

“I thought doing more work off the field would mean less work on the field,” Storey said.

“But it’s not about me, it’s just the best thing for the club at the moment. We have a really young first grade side with a lot of injuries and they just needed a few older heads around to see them through this period.”

Storey has joined 40-year-old former Newcastle representative fast bowler and Wallsend coach Nathan Holloway in the Tigers fray for the last two outings.

The first was a late call up at home against Merewether on November 26 and December 3. Storey stayed and tossed the coin against Cardiff-Boolaroo at Wallsend Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers junior takes over as skipper, temporarily, from Jake Montgomery, who at 21 is basically the next oldest playing in the team.

“We just wanted to try and take some pressure off Monty and let him bat and bowl,” Storey said. “He is a good kid and I’m sure he will captain again one day but this was a chance for him to concentrate on just playing.”

Storey expects him and Montgomery to shoulder most of the bowling load, which yielded 3-27 from 25 overs with his left-arm orthodox deliveries, especially without the likes of Cameron Roxby (back), Matt Wicks (side), Pat Magann (Randwick-Petersham) and Jared Forbes (Sydney).

On the flip side Storey said the likes of Ben Herring, Liam Taylor and Luke Norris have been given opportunities in the top grade.

In the meantime Wallsend’s more immediate challenge this weekend, in search of their first win this summer, will be chasing down the 341 scored by last-placed Cardiff on day one after the visitors were sent into bat.

“I dobbed them in as such, because I knew we needed maximum points to stay in touch with the semis,” Storey said. “But it didn’t quite work out.”

Storey, who moved to New Lambton about four years ago after a stint at Foster for work, said he was confident in the future of the club with coaching, juniors and facilities all being discussed by the committee.

AROUND THE GROUNDS (Round 9): Newcastle City 147 v Merewether 4-62; Toronto 134 Belmont 1-177; Charleston 205 v Wests 0-0; Waratah-Mayfield 296 v Hamilton-Wickham 3-17; University 8(dec)-287 v Stockton-Raymond Terrace 2-10; Cardiff-Boolaroo 341 v Wallsend.