Hawkley v Viv Evans XI: HAWKLEY’S opposition on Sunday was the Viv Evans XI, a team of past and present Hawkley residents organised each year by Empshott farmer Viv Evans, who also arranges a barbecue after the game for players and supporters.

Hawkley batted first and were soon in trouble when star batsman Aaron Stewart had to retire hurt with a pulled hamstring after scoring 13 runs.

Clive Hopkin anchored the Hawkley innings with a display of patience and solid defence, while other Hawkley players including Nick Hudson, Rich Humphreys and Tom Wallace made sound starts but couldn’t progress beyond the teens.

Finally Ed Peel came to the crease and produced a dashing innings of 45 runs to take Hawkley to 118-9 at the end of their innings.

Captain V Evans and sons Rory and Sheamus Evans were the spearhead of the Evans XI’s bowling attack, and Liam Lloyd and Angus Rowan-Hamilton provided support.

The Evans XI’s innings got off to a poor start when Kevin Kinge removed both openers cheaply.

Hallam Brown fought back with a rapid 31, Rowan-Hamilton and R Evans weighed in with useful runs, and then captain V Evans and Lloyd built a good partnership to take the score passed a hundred.

Max Edgar was brilliantly run out by Humphreys and finally R Evans joined Lloyd to see the visitors home, as the Evans XI successfully completed their run chase for the loss of seven wickets.