Chris Wood assembled his team of Petersfield ex pats to face a Chairman's XI packed with a mixture of club stalwarts and up and coming young players on the first game at the Heath since the recent vandalism.

As is customary the President's XI won the toss and elected to bat, Nick Troth being bowled with the 1st ball of the 2nd over by 1st team youngster, Oscar Walker. Patience was then the order of the day and the Chairman's XI cycled through their bowling options before Justin Jordan (49*) and Dave Greatham (41*) upped the scoring rate by attacking anything short pitched or wide of the stumps. Club Captain Henry Shore followed the bowling of promising prospects Adam Kidd and Olly Heapy removing Arthur Crocker. Philip Lacey and Graham Hughes were then both victims of Georgie Russell, our girls U14 player, before Chris Russell, the club Chairman picked up 3 quick wickets including those of club vets Dave Squires and Rob Allerston. That left the Club Chairman bowling at the Club President for a few balls before their innings closed on 189/8 from their 40 overs as both teams departed for an excellent tea prepared once again by Barbara.

The Chairman's XI started their reply with gusto fuelled by the excellent range of cakes. Rich Stephens rolled back the years with a quick fire 31 with last season's Jim Smallbone award winner and club junior now senior player Joe Clarke following suit retiring on 42 including 2 sixes. This encouraged the normally cautious 2nd team Captain Steve Gibson to throw caution to the wind with 25 before returning wicket keeper and local hero Tom Sherry played a series of hockey shots before holing out to Arthur Crocker in the deep for 29. This brought the youngsters to the crease with instructions to bring the game home. Adam Kidd added 7 before departing leaving Oscar Walker (24*) and Georgie Russell (5*) to bring home the victory for the Chairman's XI by 5 wickets with 7 overs to spare.

Thanks all for a great day and many thanks to Jude and Jo for keeping the bar open at all times.