MCC help Emsworth cricketers celebrate double ton

And Emsworth Cricket Club made sure their own 200th anniversary was marked in style with a visit from the MCC.

The match against the team from HQ was the highlight of a festival week which included a match a day and plenty of cricketing entertainment for locals.

The MCC have some seasoned cricketers in their ranks and they proved too strong for Emsworth. They declared on 246 for seven before bowling out Emsworth for 165.

But the result hardly mattered and Clive Edwards, chairman of Emsworth’s bi-centenary committee, said it was a fitting centrepiece to the week. Other matches were held during the week. First up Emsworth Old Boys beat the New Boys in a Twenty20 match, then Emsworth beat Raymarine in a similar game.

After the MCC’s visit, Emsworth hosted Chidham & Hambrook and Headstone St George’s – all this in between important weekend league fixtures.

Still to come in the celebratory year are a trip to Lord’s, a golf day, a quiz night and a presentation dinner.

Edwards said: “It was a fabulous week. The weather was fine and we saw some excellent cricket. Having the MCC here was the icing on the cake.”

Funds raised during the year are being split between the club, who hope to buy equipment to encourage youngsters to play cricket, Emsworth Primary School and Help for Heroes.