Hancock makes the President Proud

The weather could hardly have been better for Harpsden’s annual President’s XI vs. Chairman’s XI 40 over fixture. The President’s XI batted first on a firm track and got off to a great start with Andy Grimmer (44) and former mayor Ian Reissman (47) putting on 82 for the first wicket. Foster’s 3 wickets brought the Chairman’s XI back into a good position, although wicketkeeper and Chairman Rod Birkett was always kept busy by his bowlers, who gave away 35 wides and a total of fifty extras. Jack Broome held the innings together in the latter stages, taking the attack to the bowlers, scoring 4 fours and 2 majestic sixes in a hard hitting 46, only to be dismissed by a great catch from Nelson De Souza in the gully.

After tea the Chairman’s XI batsmen knew they had a lot to do chasing 228, and when they were reduced to 22 for 3, the task looked almost impossible; Andy Bryan and Sam Imlay steadied the ship, taking the score past 100 before Imlay was dismissed for 33 by a great piece of deception from Horatio Cary. Andy Bryan had spectators ducking as he smashed his way to 55, but it was the introduction of President’s XI skipper Tom Hancock that changed the game. He ripped through the middle and lower order, taking 5 wickets including Bryan, Birkett, and that of his younger brother Ben. Mick Greenwood and Johnny Wright showed some great resilience for the final wicket, putting on 40 runs, although the Chairman’s XI finished on 182, 47 runs short of victory leaving Julian Burtt, the Harpsden President, as proud as punch.

President’s XI

A.Grimmer ct. J.Bradley b. B.Hancock 44
I.Reissman b. A.Bryan 47
R.Harris b. W.Foster 1
H.Cary ct. M.Greenwood b. W.Foster 2
J.Broome ct. De Souza b. W.Foster 46
T.Hancock Not Out 26
M.Hodgkiss Not Out 12
Sub Total 178
Extras 50
Grand Total (5wkts) 228
Best Bowling: W.Foster 3 for 35

Chairman's XI

J.Bradley ct. J.Broome b. T.Ham 15
N.De Souza ct. T.Hancock b. M.Hodgkiss 0
N.Sweet ct. J.Broome b. M.Hodgkiss 6
S.Imlay ct. M.Farmar b. H.Cary 33
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 55
R.Birkett b. T.Hancock 0
B.Hancock b. T.Hancock 19
W.Foster b. T.Hancock 0
W.Stevens ct. T.Ham b. T.Hancock 5
M.Greenwood b. J.Thomson 25
J.Wright Not Out 20
Sub Total 178
Extras 4
Grand Total (all out) 182

Best bowling: T. Hancock 5 for 23