The Wayfarer Blog

The Chairman’s XI were comfortable winners of the annual final match played at Whitchurch in conditions more suited to Ducks and Drakes.

Batting first the club were soon in trouble as Freddy Frost (4 for 12) showed just how much he had been missed during the season. His accuracy was too much for both openers and then Doug Vernon was well caught in the deep by ever reliable Tom Dunne. Josh Meadows soon followed before Joel Heatley and Josh Vernon brought some much needed stability. Realising that caution was the order of the day they treated each delivery on its merits before Heatley was needlessly run out. This brought Billy Barriball to the crease who set about the bowling with some energy. With the score sitting at a scant 38 for 4 the club side were in serious danger of falling apart. Barriball (55) with eight well struck boundaries was the only club batsman to dominate the bowling. He was ably supported first by Vernon (14) and then Martin Credicott (17). Once they went normal service was resumed as the last two wickets went quickly. Of particular note was the demise of Marc Kerswill caught by Tamblin off the first ball of Aaron Churchill’s over. All out for 130 was probably at least 30 runs short.

The Chairman’s XI reply was played out in drier conditions but was more remarkable for the manner in which Jez Stokes and Aaron Churchill overcame the conditions. Starting slowly and offering no chances they made relatively short work of the target. Both Josh Vernon (0 for 18) and Gavin Hall (0-17) bowled accurately but with no joy. Once their overs ran out the subsequent bowlers were treated with some disdain as the opening pair romped to the target with both batsmen gaining well deserved 50’s.