Cricket Match
Monday 21st September
The Match
We were blessed with beautiful weather on Monday 21st September for the eagerly anticipated 1100th anniversary cricket match.
The crowds arrived at The County ground, Taunton in droves to see Bishop Peter's XI take on a Somerset Chairman's XI.
The 30/30 overs match began at 2pm with the Chairman's team winning the toss and batting first.
Rick Ankers stepped up to score the first 27 runs of the match and retired having passed the agreed level of 25 runs. He was replaced by Ed Nash, son of the Somerset County Cricket Club Chairman, while young Jos Buttler, a former England under 17's player, hit 28 runs before he, too, retired to be replaced by Toby Strang. Ed hit 26 and Toby scored 27 before their retirements brought Bobby Gould (yes, the ex footballer and manager) and John Hibberd to the wicket.
Things started to get exciting when a tactical fielding substitution brought Bishop Peter on to the field amid cheers from his devoted followers. 
This must have spurred his players on as Keith Powell, bowled out John Hibberd for 3 runs. At the other end captain Brian Pearson dismissed the SCCC Chairman, Andy Nash, for 9. (Sorry, Andy; no way to treat our host!) Chris Gould had impressed with the bat until Dominique Shillabeer (a Langport ‘ringer') sent his middle stump cart-wheeling! It was left to Paul Toseland and Mick Gorman to complete the innings, leaving the former Archdeacon of Taunton (now Bishop) Richard Frith to wait in vain for a bat. With 20 extras conceded, the Chairman's XI innings closed on 179 for 3.
Following the interval the Bishop's XI set about their run chase led by Richard Newport and Mike Nurton. Both reached the designated retirement score having played a variety of attractive and effective shots. Paul Peterson and Roger Peach continued the good work, scoring 27 and 26 runs respectively, and with the tension mounting it was indeed ‘game on'.
A mid-order wobble with Rob Walrond being caught off Jos Buttler, Andrew Spear bowled by Mick Gorman and Keith Powell also falling victim to the impressive Jos Buttler, a revival was needed. 
With the crowd were on the edge of their seats, cheering and clapping every run, the Bishop's XI still needed to score at more than a run a ball; this was no place for the feint-hearted!
Out to the wicket strode Dominique Shillabeer who proceeded to dispatch the ball in all directions, retiring on 26 runs scored off just 11 deliveries. It was going to be close. It required another all or nothing performance and that was delivered courtesy of Sam Powell, 
(Keith's son, playing as a last minute replacement for the injured Mark Rylands) who scored 12 runs, all in boundaries. David Williamson was the other not out batsman. The 25 extras conceded by the Chairman's XI completed the total of 183 for 3. So, the Bishop's XI pulled it out of the bag and won the match by seven wickets but all agreed it was, of course, cricket which was the real winner!
Before they left the field, a delighted Bishop Peter presented the players and officials with their medals and Brian Pearson, accepted the winner's trophy on behalf of the Bishop's XI. Match umpires Dickie Allen and Terry Sterland adjudicated the ‘Man of the Match' award and nominated Dominique Shillabeer to receive the commemorative trophy. (Rumour has it that Andy Nash, Chairman of the SCCC, is keen to redeem himself and there are already whispers of a re-match next year.)
It was a most marvellous experience for participants and spectators alike - with not a few onlookers commenting on the (surprisingly?) high standard of play. But without the kind co-operation and generous hospitality of the Somerset County Cricket Club the event would not have been possible and we take this opportunity to express our very special thanks to them for the kind donation of the Ground, their catering and all of their valuable help in organising this event.
(A DVD of the match highlights will be available in due course - watch the website for updates)
The evening
Following the spectacular cricket match was a black tie dinner in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the County ground, Taunton. 190 guests were present at this affair including 120 corporate sponsors who we would like to give a mention:-
Heath Lambert Group, Wessex Water, 
Deverill, Jelf Group, Gould and Swayne, Meeting Place Communications, Morgan Ashurst, Mazars, Greenslade Taylor Hunt and The Hookway Partnership.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for taking part and for their generosity during the evening.
We were very fortunate to have Mr Vic Marks as our guest speaker for the evening. Vic played for Somerset from 1974 to 1989, including two seasons as captain. His Test debut for England was in 1982 against Pakistan. 
In his six Tests his all-round utility made him a handy team member, particularly in one-day internationals. After retiring as a professional cricketer, he turned his hand to journalism and broadcasting. He writes regularly about cricket for The Observer newspaper.
We raised £1,520 through the evening's raffle alone and a further £550 through auction of a spectacular signed cricket bat, which went to Mr Arnie Wills of the Jelf Group through his wife Julie. 
The cricket match and dinner was a great success and very enjoyable. We give thanks to everyone who was involved and hope to keep in touch with the potential of doing something similar in the future.
