Whitchurch XI v Chairman's XI

WHITCHURCH signed off their soggy cricket season with the traditional match against the Chairman's select XI played in glorious autumnal sunshine.

The Chairman brought a strong side looking to avenge the two defeats of last season. Winning the toss, the Chairman invited the club side to bat first.

This decision was rewarded with the dismissal in the first over of dangerman Josh Meadows, off the bowling of Dave Burke. Tom Sherrell and Gavin Hall then built partnership, Hall steadying one end, while Sherrell played some big shots the other end. They had added 64 in good time, when Sherrell was bowled by Sam Hill for 32. Next in was Joe Trembath, who showed the improvement that he has made this season with some well executed shots. His 20 including four boundaries before he was also bowled by Hill, who took two for 37.

At 117 for 4, the club side looked well set to post a challenging total. However, the Chairman introduced his wily slow spin into the attack and ripped through the middle order.

Richard Hall was done by a lack of pace and chipped the first ball to Towl for a simple catch. Two overs later, his father followed him after a patient 21, stumped by Hodge. Later in the same over, club skipper Martin Credicott suffered the same fate. Tamblin with three for eight at that time.

Billy Barriball hit Tamblin out of the attack with three boundaries in an over. They added 45 in good time, before Nigel Barriball was snaffled by Daymond off Cleave. Billy continued to play his shots and finished not out on 34, top scorer for his side. The Chairman's side also generously donating 48 extras to the club's total of 194 for seven off their allotted 40 overs.

The Chairman's XI made a solid start. Rushton sealed the first breakthrough when he clean bowled Burke for 19. This brought Ian Gray to the crease who quickly found his rhythm. The runs started to flow, but Rushton (two for 45) secured another wicket bowling Matt Nand-Lal for 12. Adrian Towl joined Gray to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The hundred was up inside 14 overs but the club side refused to lie down. Meadows bowled a tight spell of spin taking one for 27 off eight, including Gray caught behind for 39.

Towl and Daymond then pushed on until Towl was trapped LBW by Tom Dunne for 26. Daymond was caught by Meadows for 47 off Richard Hall.

Steve Hodge (24 no) and Sam Hill (12no) completed the jobas the Chairman's side eased to victory by five wickets with six overs to spare.