WALKHAM Valley?s season was brought to a fitting close with a closely contested fixture against the Vicar?s Eleven in a charity match to raise funds for St Mary?s Church.

Walkham batted first, and openers James Hills and Richard Berry were obliged to negotiate a spell of quick, accurate bowling by D. Ellis before they were able to get some momentum into their partnership, which eventually flourished to produce over forty runs, Hills retiring undefeated on 27, including three fours and a six.

R Berry continued to provide the necessary stability to the innings as James Vincent plundered a quick dozen runs before falling to a good catch by D. Ellis off Jim Knight?s bowling.

J Berry then joined his son and a few quick runs ensued before the latter retired for a measured 26, bringing in the whirlwind Chris Spreadbury who hammered a six before falling clean bowled to Nick Shutt, who then accounted for Ray Spreadbury in identical fashion with his next ball.

Ken Kay prevented the hat trick and smote a couple of lusty shots before the innings closed on 134 for 6, with J Berry not out 16 and Kay unbeaten on 6.

With such a healthy total to chase, the Vicar?s Eleven set about their task with great gusto. Openers Tim Baxter and Charles Hattersley showed a commendable blend of aggression and canny shot selection as they rattled up over fifty runs, Baxter retiring unbeaten for an energetic 28 including two sixes and two fours.

D Ellis then joined Hattersley and departed not out after only a couple of overs having savaged the bowling to the tune of 26 runs including three sixes and a four.

Paul Adcock came and went quickly, caught by Hills off Alistair Peers, and Hattersley?s well judged innings then came to a close with him undefeated on 25, and the Church side an entertaining 102 for 1 wicket after only 12 overs, with victory in sight.

The next seven overs yielded a meagre six runs from the bat as five wickets tumbled, J Berry returning 2 for 2, Chris Spreadbury 1 for 1 and Sandy Ralph 1 for 1.

Jim Knight managed to dispatch one of the balls he actually saw for a meaty boundary, but the Charge of the Knight brigade was not quite enough as the innings closed on a tantalising 126 for 4, just eight runs short of the target.

The match raised a creditable sum of more than £200.