Whitchurch XI v Chairman's XI SPECTATORS could easily have thought that they were in the middle of June instead of witnessing the last game of the season. The Whitchurch House ground basked in glorious sunshine looking a typical English village cricket ground. The Chairman's XI were asked to bat first. Matt Witcher opened proceedings with an explosive flurry of sixes and fours. Both Josh Towl (1 for 43) and Dan Poole (0-39) suffered as Witcher (33) and Heatley (29) had an opening partnership of 50 in fewer than 10 overs. After they had gone Billy Barriball (2-22) put the brakes on the run rate; his accurate bowling causing problems for both Freedman (16) and Jacobs (33). An attacking field brought the reward of two wickets but did mean that anything that went through the cordon usually notched up a boundary. The club side started to gain some control of proceedings after drinks, conceding only 17 runs from seven overs. However, in the last five overs Nigel Barriball (27) and Adrian Towl (36) used their experience and finished the innings with a quickfire partnership of 52. After the break the club XI set after the target of 223 to win. The early loss of Credicott to Jenkins (1-28) brought together Steve Hodge (41) and Andy Wallace (25). Playing with understandable caution they put together a partnership of 37. After Wallace played down the wrong line to Ben Hodge (1-18), Josh Towl made a brief appearance which brought Billy Barriball (79) to the crease. He and Rob Bone (36) turned the game around. With the target approaching the field was spread and the tension started to build. The chairman changed the bowling and reduced the pace on the ball, bringing on Jerry Warland (3-27) and Matt Witcher (2-52). He was rewarded almost immediately when Barriball was caught by a stunning catch by Pete Freedman on the boundary. Although there were brave contributions from Poole (10) and Tamblin (11) the run rate was too high. The Chairman's XI won by just seven runs in a fitting end to a lovely season.