President's vs Chairman's 15th July 2001

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Report by Fingers

Contrary to the weather forecast that had been suggesting all week that we would struggle to play at all the weather was kind again for Club Day.

Following the delayed arrival of the President whilst he had his second helping of apple pie David Cumming and Eddie Ellis went out for the toss. Having consulted with his senior players who advised him to bowl if he won the toss the President returned and announced that he had elected to bat. James Codd and Khadim Aslam went out to open the batting and managed to survive a testing opening burst from Mo Iqbal and Osman Mahmood. Slowly the partnership developed until Roger Puri bowled James with the score on 63. Following the dismissal of Mark Mason Chris Lemm, having recovered from his nosebleed at being so high up the order, joined Khadim in a partnership of 67 for the third wicket. Khadim, having not scored until the seventh over, starting playing the type of expansive shots everyone bar him seems to know he can play, in particular on the drive, whilst Chris played in his usual forthright manner. Chris even managed to draw a round of applause from the Chairman as he opened his account with a superb cover drive for four. Khadim was finally dismissed for an excellent 59 and Mo also picked up the wickets of Chris and John Morris in a second spell of 3-14.

With the score at 164-5 the President joined Brian Cooper at the crease with five overs to go. A combination of good hitting and eccentric running saw the score up to 202-5, Eddie hitting his customary Club Day six off the penultimate ball of the innings to fully justify his decision to bat first.

Needing more than five an over to win the Chairman's XI needed a good start. They did not get it with Bob Williams having Alex Moore caught behind off the second ball of the innings. He was quickly followed by Dennis Robertson, caught at slip off Bob for the second year running, and Brian Barefoot to leave the score 16-3. With the introduction off Khadim in to the attack this soon became 42-5, David Withington accepting the advice given to him by Edward not to play Khadim as badly as he had done but strangely electing to play him worse rather than better. Finally Simon Edmondson gave Edward Choules the much needed support that his batting deserved and they managed a partnership of 30 for the sixth wicket before Khadim struck again to have Simon leg before.

With partners starting to run out Edward started to play more aggressively and played some excellent drives on his way to his first fifty of the season, bringing the fifty up with his seventh four. With Mark Mason starting to make his way through the lower order at the other end Edward finally went for one big shot too many and was ninth man out stumped for a very well made 62. The innings ended with Mark bowling Roger to give the President's XI victory by 85 runs.

Khadim Aslam was selected as man of the match.

The game as in previous years proved to be a good competitive game of cricket and was again followed by an excellent social function. Thanks go to Brenda Jenkins for doing the tea and Phil for organising the BBQ afterwards. John Morris made up for his duck by winning the draw and thanks go to Bob for all his work in this important fundraising effort.

Can the Chairman's XI stop the President making it three on the trot next year?