05 July 2009Sevenoaks District Council councillors and staff had a wicket time, and stumped up money for a good cause recently when they donned their whites for their second ever charity cricket match.
A Leader's Select XI and a Chief Executive's Select XI did battle at the Vine Cricket Ground on Monday evening (9 June) with all the proceeds from the event going to a charity chosen by the captain of the winning team.
The 20-over match proved to be a very close run thing, with the Leader’s team batting first and setting a total of 130 runs. The game went right down to the final ball of the game with the Chief Executive’s team needing three runs to win.
The task proved too much though and their total of 128 was not quite enough, leaving the Leader’s team to claim victory for the second time following on from their win in the inaugural game in 2006.
Cllr Peter Fleming, Leader of the Council and captain of the victorious team, says: "I always felt confident that my team could retain our unbeaten record even if it did go right down to the wire! It was a great evening and the most important thing was that we raised a bit of money for charity, and everyone seemed to have a fantastic time."
Robin Hales, Chief Executive of the Council, and captain of the runners-up says: "I have to say that I, along with everyone else who took part, thoroughly enjoyed the game, with the exception of the result of course! The weather couldn’t have been better and some money went to a good cause. All that’s left is for us to get our revenge next time out!"
In all £177 was raised by selling tickets for the game to Council staff, and as captain of the winning team, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Peter Fleming, chose to donate the money raised to Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust. A big thankyou also went to the Vine Cricket Ground for the generous use of their pitch.
Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust is a charity that provides youth workers to offer support and advice for young people in towns and villages across the District. For more information visit the Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust website.
