Chairman's International XI levels the Series

Our chairman, Eric Tracey, unveiled his Invitation XI for the twentieth time in the last twenty two years (two years’ matches lost through rain) as the normal array of people from all parts of his life – family and friends from both local and faraway places. There were a couple of new names but nothing too intimidating. Eric could not play this year but was able to umpire, which we think he found even more exhausting, as it kept him out on the field for much longer than he is used to.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat. Their acting captain, who had scored runs against us in the past, looked promising but was soon out. Thereafter some very resolute batting by a visiting Kiwi and FPCC’s own Michael Rawlinson took the Chairman’s XI to a score of 207 for 1 wicket despite some good deliveries and helped by some dropped catches. The home team’s response was somewhat tepid and never really got going, finally succumbing for a mere 113.

A barbecue of Kiwi lamb and beef burgers provided by Eric and prawns from the Tisbury Fishmonger, Ashley Major and as many references to the Lions’ wonderful rugby win helped to take away any pain from such a loss!

And the score over twenty matches is now ten matches apiece!