In a unique roll, this day was dedicated to St Clare Hospice with all profits being set aside in their favour including monies raised at two previous social events around the beginning of the season.

The match itself serves several benefits to our club. The selection procedure is competitive between the two team leaders, but the game is always played in the right spirit, win at all costs!!!

My rational in team selection is based on inviting active and non-active past players, guest’s players and the infill being promising youngsters from our club. This years team almost fitted that criteria until third party interference rendered two of my ‘big-guns’ NA but I had a backbone within the team being the Butler/Jessey combo.

I knew well, their presence in the field was good enough to rattle the oppo with their unique knowledge of sledging and frantic fielding. Well, that was the principle in mind, not so sure it happened.

My team was expertly led by our good friend Joe Holland. Well supported by new boy Peter Day (son of past Captain Ray) making a tidy half ton, great performances by our young blood in Alfie, Ben, Ronnie and Billy and co.

Mark Sullivan (Sully) came all the way from Oxford, leaving some poor sole on the operating table Sunday morning to arrive in time for tea and bowl. This suited Matt Hurley thinking all he must provide is a strong opening batting stint then be a sub to allow The Professor to spin his way through the oppo after tea. Wrong, your fielding mate, numbers wrong!

For ‘all-round’ performance must go to our 1st XI Captain Tom. Both in physical appearance and performance. Not his fielding, not his batting and bowling. But it was those secret activities he will be best remembered, puffing on his vaper in the out-field, relieving himself by the Ash Tree alongside the old pavilion, receiving a liquid refreshment looking very much like a beer and a fine for imitating an opening bowler.

It was good to see ‘old faces back’, Welcome Rehman, out to a very dodgy C&B, from Master Yeats, but a good day, the result, of no importance being together with old friends, mixing with our splendid crop of youngster’s made the day perfect.

Match Report - provided by Club Chairman, Simon Baulcomb

Presidents XI 252-7 40 overs
A Jessy 58
P. Day 51
M. Hurley 47
B Yeats 2-19
G Jessey 2-44

Chairmans XI 256-3
B Yeats 100*
D.Waters 62
A.Muhammad 53
T.Garner 2-52

Chairmans XI win by 7 wickets

On a cool and overcast day, the sides convened for our first Charity Day in support of St Clares Hospice. Lunch was well supported. The weather intervened briefly to render things a bit moist. On winning the toss (Grrr) the Presidents XI batted. Matt H and Billy C started things off against Jack and Tyler. Progress was steady with Jack in particular, very unlucky not to pick up at least one wicket, passing the edge 3 or 4 times an over. Tyler made the breakthrough, with Dave completing the catch on his backside at Mid on !

Bowlers were rotated and the score ticked along Alfie and Peter Day upped the rate and something approaching 300 looked on the cards. However, Fisky Dave and Ben all managed to go for less than a run a ball, with guest batters (James Butler, Lee J Rehman and Joe Holland) coming and going to smart bowling and catching by the Chairmans men. Apart from Ben T teeing off in the last over a par score was in our sights. As it was 252 was going to be a stretch.

Tea was had (thanks Nick, glorious). The veranda was full of friends and family. Our total for the Charity was revealed at £1691! Stunning, I think we might be doing this again !

Ben and Arshad started our reply, initially with care, but then with vigour and some quite sublime stroke play. They took their partnership to 123 before Arshad perished looking to hit one into next week. Dave and Ben kept up the momentum with Ben completing a superb 100 and walking off for a sit down.

With the rate just about manageable, at 8 an over, we were getting close, then Dave missed a Tom Garner straight one, with the finish line in sight.

Adam Dack entered after Harry fell with 12 needed from 11 balls. There was audible squeaking from the watching throng....Come the moment - Adam smashed the Club Captain back over his head, to ease the nerves.

Max, plundered and as we entered the last over 1 was required. The first ball went through square leg for 4 and victory was assured for the Chairmans XI. Well done Lads, proud of you all!

A fantastic afternoons entertainment played in great spirit with a magnificent result for the Charity!

Special thanks to Pip for Umpiring all afternoon and to Charlie for scoring.

Roll on next year!