A bumper crowd of patrons and invited guests witnessed an extremely high quality game of cricket at Marigolds today (Tuesday) as the professionals from the World Sports Xchange agency faced the Club Cricket Conference representative team (CCC).

The Xchange side are made up of overseas full pros and semi pro's currently in the UK with the CCC team being selected from some of the best club players in the Home Counties.

After some unexpected early morning precipitation Cliff, Paul and Terry performed wonders to ensure we only lost an hour with the game being reduced to 40 overs from the original 50 aside.

The Xchange won the toss and inserted the CCC to bat on a drying wicket. Facing up first ball was former Harlow batsman Ben Yeats, currently with Essex Div 1 side Fives & Heronians. The start of the CCC innings was marked by some outstanding fielding and catching from the overseas pros, none more notable than when Jake Weatherald (Adelaide Strikers & South Australia star) somehow took a one handed grab on the boundary to conclude Ben's knock on a well made 37.

Wickets fell at regular intervals but Saihaj Jaspal (Buckhurst Hill CC) played a fine aggressive knock of 54 that included taking 30 from one single over of carnage. A final total of 184-9 in 40 overs probably didn't look enough against such strong opposition.

The CCC achieved a massive break through in the first over of the Xchange innings when Caspar Mason (Aston Rowant CC) deceived a Kolkata Knight Riders star from the IPL into miscuing with Ben taking a fine catch. However, runs were being plundered and the score raced to 60-1 off just 6 overs. The turning point was the introduction of spin through George Duke (Chingford CC) and Bilal Butt (Loughton CC). The pair reduced the scoring rate but more importantly kept taking wickets. It was George who deceived Aussie Big Bash star Weatherald with flight and Babar Choudhary (Old Brentwoods) did superbly to whip off the bails for the stumping.

The Xchange batters continued to play aggressively but wickets fell to a number of false shots and with 25 still required for the victory Mason found a leading edge that looped to skipper Butt to take a simple catch to conclude on field proceedings. George Duke ending with a match winning 4-30.

A very fine win for the CCC against such strong opposition but it was a match played in a superb atmosphere on and off the field.

Such a delight to see a packed dinning room for a superb dinner prepared by Nick and his team. Amongst the guests were a number of local dignities, club sponsors and members of the Prodger family for whom this fixture has special meaning given the loss of Simon and his and the families connections to the CCC and Harlow Cricket Club.

Club President Alan Howick joined with the CCC President to make a number of player awards and thank the assembled players, members and supporters.

A terrific afternoon that sets up tomorrows fixture between a Harlow Invitational XI and the prestigious MCC beautifully.

(Photo courtesy of Club Photographer Julie Fisk)