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Elephant's Nest v President's XI

THE annual President's game took place on Sunday at The Elephant's Nest Inn at Horndon, with the President's team trying to win the magnificent trophy for the first time in five years from the pub's cricket team. 

The Nest were put into bat on a wet wicket. Openers Chris Miller (14) and Tim Neale made a solid start before President's bowler David Cherrington (8-0-25-3) took the first couple of wickets.

Ian Gray came to the crease with Pete Wilson (14) and rescued the Nest's innings by dispatching the bad balls. He put on a useful partnership with Wilson. Gray departed for 68 after another good ball from Cherrington senior.

The President's team cleaned up the tail with good bowling from Nick Simpson (4-0-5-2) and youngster Louie Cherrington despite some gritty batting from Ed Carr (11) and James Palmer (14).

The Elephant's Nest finished on 153 all out.

The President's team in reply soon lost opener Reuben Grice. Fellow opener Will Simpson batted superbly for his 57 and was well supported by captain Ben Neale (41). This took the score to 99-1 and the trophy looked in the bag, however the Nest came back with great bowling from Gray (8-0-30-3), Tony Skeet (7-0-23-2) and Wilson (8-0-28-3).

Debutant Nick Simpson coming in at number 11 batting with the determined Cherrington (22 not out) to save the game.  With the scores tied on 153, he showed no nerves and dispatched Skeet over the square leg boundary giving the President's team a win by one wicket with 3 balls to spare.