Selsley Cricket Club v The Presidents XI at Selsley Cricket Club – Sunday July 9

A LARGE crowd assembled to watch the showcase fixture of Selsley Cricket Club’s calendar.

The ground was exceptionally presented on a beautiful summers afternoon and the wicket, prepared by Jody Stokes, Chris Hooper and Paul Ind was true and firm.

The President’s XI captain, Paul Wheeler won the toss and invited Selsley to bat first on an afternoon umpired by Tony Raybone and Jolyon Gardiner.

Adam Hunaban and John Osborn opened the bowling and were delighted to dismiss the Selsley talisman and Captain Paul Ind, early in the innings.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals due to further good bowling from Wasi Ullah, Paul Wheeler, and Rhys Goode.

However Luke Parmer held the Selsley innings together scoring 48 runs before being caught in the slips by Phil Smith.

Selsley were finally dismissed for 93 runs and tea was called.

After the wonderful refreshments prepared by Elizabeth Gardiner, Sally Canning, Ghislaine Davis, Carole Norman and others, the Selsley team took to the field.

The Presidents openers of Rhys Goode and John McGahey controlled the opening spell of the innings.

However some good bowling from Selsley’s Phil Biggs, Kevin Turfrey and Garth Hewings led to a close finish.

Some flashes from Ben Gardiner, Steve Eggleton and Steve Bartlett took the Presidents XI near to the total, however it required John Osborn and Paul Wheeler to see the Presidents team home for eight wickets.

The score was immaculately kept through the match by Phil Deacon and Jamie Smith.

On this wonderful sunny afternoon, the crowd had witnessed some great batting, spirited bowling and an exciting finale, however with 22 men in whites, mouth-watering teas, and a wicket carved into this Cotswold hill, the real winner from the day was Gloucestershire Sunday village cricket.