Posted: Wed 02/09/2009

Datchworth played against the President's XI in the annual fixture and both teams entertained the Bank Holiday crowd with some fantastic batting displays. After a wonderful BBQ lunch, Datchworth Captain Will Nash won the toss and asked Ian Little's side to bat. A strong batting line up got off to a flier with Steve Gregory (35) punishing George Wallace's first over, striking four boundaries.

Jeremy Goodacre joined in the fun, and the President's XI reached 45-0 from the first 4 overs. Reece Pybus (1-54) then managed to produce a maiden but the first wicket fell with the score on 61 as Wallace bowled Gregory.

Phil Driver (34) started conservatively, as Will Nash (1-36) stemmed the flow of runs. Tom Bennett (3-79) received some treatment from Goodacre with some big sixes into the Tennis Courts. Driver was stumped off Bennett in the 18th over with the score on 162, and Alex Richmond (6) followed five overs later, 178-3.


Datchworth started badly against a good early spell of blwoing from Simon Little and the pick of the bowlers Sandy Reynolds (8-1-26-2), and they lost both openers early. This started the Bennett brothers' fight-back, as both boys consistently drove Little down the ground and over the rope for boundaries.

Tom, however, made just 15 before being stumped by Gillham off the bowling of Wells.

Will Nash followed soon after, falling foul to a sharp run out throw from Gregory, although the score was now on 98 and the chase still well and truly on.

Rob Nash joined Luke Bennett at the crease and the two put on a rapid 75 runs in a mere 6 overs - with Bennett doing most of the damage. As it looked like he had steered the home side to victory, Bennett eventually fell for an explosive 101 from 72 balls which dashed all hope of a home win. In the wake of Bennett's wicket, Nash started to attack as if all was lost, and started finding the boundary (and the field behind the trees). Jon Lancaster (15) provided good support, but Nash popped a caught & bowled up to Richmond and the game seemed dead.

Lancaster and Adrian Bennett nurdled the ball around and picked up singles but both were out with 30 needed from the last 3 overs.

With the chase still on, a quick change to the batting order by Nash, umpiring at square leg, brought together the two youngest team-members, George Wallace and Reece Pybus. Still expectant of a bat, the demoted Jim Briffett sat and watched their aggressive, yet sensible, strokes and good positive running. The last over required 11 runs to win, and started with a George Wallace boundary, straight down the ground. A single was pinched next ball, before Pybus (9*) struck his own boundary, followed up with a quick run 2. With 2 needed from 2 balls, Richmond sprayed one down the leg side, which Gillham had to pounce on. Wallce, seeing the opportunity, called his partner for a single. Brusher umpiring at the bowler's end then adjudged the ball as a wide, signalling the win for Datchworth.

Click here to view the scorecard