President triumphs in close encounter

The annual President's XI vs. Chairman's XI cricket match took place this year on the same day as England were to take on Germany. As a result the game started early so we could watch the match during the tea break. The Chairman's XI, captained by Will Stevens, won the toss and choose to bowl first. The innings were split in two, with each team having 20 overs before and after tea.

The Chairman's XI got off to a great start with tight bowling from Johnny Wright and Ian Brown, with Wright dismissing the dangerous Burtt, all be it thanks to a superb catch in the gulley by Ben Hancock. Andy Bryan held the innings together and when the first session came to a close the President's XI were 125-4. In reply the Chairman's XI started slowly losing Jack Broome, Sam Imlay and Andy Norton early on. Bradley and Tom Hancock steadied the ship, batting through till tea, and reached 67-3.

Having indulged in the afternoon bbq and watched England's somewhat disappointing performance the President's XI resumed on 125-4. However the wickets tumbled with Tom Hancock taking 4 and the President's XI finishing 175 all out after 37 of their 40 overs completed.

The Chairman's XI needed 100 to win from their remaining 20 overs with 7 wickets in hand so the President's XI needed wickets. The Chairman's XI lost 4 wickets in quick succession and the rebuilding was left to the Hancock brothers who got close to the target. Johnny Wright continued the good work before being run out for the ninth wicket. Rod Birkett and Ian Brown put on around 15 for the last wicket to get within 4 runs of victory, however Toby Stevens dismissed Brown leaving the President elated and the Chairman inconsolable.

President's XI
N.Sweet ct. & b. T.Hancock 35
P.Burtt ct. B.Hancock b. J.Wright 4
A.Grimmer RUN OUT 26
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 37
M.Hodgkiss b. B.Hancock 5
A.Imlay ct. J.Wright b. W.Stevens 16
T.Stevens ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 0
E.Birkett ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 9
O.Heath NOT OUT 5
C.Welford b. T.Hancock 8
C.Cracknell ct. G.Hepburn b. T.Hancock 1
Sub Total 146
Extras 29
Total (10wkts) 175

Best Bowling: T.Hancock 4-16, W.Stevens 3-23.


Chairman's XI
J Broome ct. A.Bryan b. C.Cracknell 7
S.Imlay ct. & b. C.Cracknell 5
A.Norton b. O.Heath 1
J.Bradley ct. E.Birkett b. M.Hodgkiss 20
T.Hancock ct. C.Cracknell b. C.Welford 43
G.Hepburn ct. N.Sweet b. C.Cracknell 2
W.Stevens ct. A.Grimmer b. C.Cracknell 0
B.Hancock lbw b. P.Burtt 19
J.Wright RUN OUT 20
R.Birkett NOT OUT 13
I.Brown ct. M.Hodgkiss b. T.Stevens 4
Sub Total 134
Extras 37
Total (10wkts) 171

Best Bowling: C.Cracknell 4-44.