The Isle of Wight Cricket Board’s 1st XI secured a 34-run victory over a star-studded Celebrity Cricket XI in front of more than 500 spectators.
Crowds turned out at Newclose County Cricket Ground for a day of cricket and entertainment, with the event also raising money for charity.
The celebrity side featured former England Test cricketer Monty Panesar, Wimbledon FC legend Kevin Cooper, Love Island personality Calum Best and former EastEnders actors Ricky Groves and Dean Gaffney.
Also among the line-up were social media personality Cal the Dragon, Married at First Sight‘s John Shepherd, jewellery valuer Kim Rose and former The Only Way Is Essex star Dan Osborne.
The Isle of Wight side won the toss and elected to bat, with Liam Goldsmith leading the scoring with 28 from 19 balls, including 4 fours, before retiring not out.
Max Poynter added a quick-fire 25 from just 9 deliveries, smashing 2 fours and 2 sixes before also retiring not out.
Carley Dingle scored 13 from 10 balls, while Kevin Winchcombe finished unbeaten on 16 from 12 deliveries and Georgie Gobby made an unbeaten 8 from 4.
R Holdcroft contributed 9, S Holbrook scored 7 and N Goldsmith made 6, with L Vanassche and J Millward both adding 3.
Evie Bennett and L Lewis were dismissed without scoring.
Panesar was among the wicket-takers for the Celebrity Cricket XI, bowling Vanassche and Dingle and also being involved in Bennett’s run out.
Dean Gaffney took 3 wickets, while B Jarding and O Nurse also struck as the Isle of Wight innings ended on 159.
Chasing 160 for victory, the Celebrity Cricket XI lost Skully for 6 and George B for 2 to N Goldsmith.
Calum Best made 21 from 27 balls before being bowled by Dingle, while O Nurse boosted the Celebrity XI’s total with 27 from 19 deliveries before retiring not out.
Panesar then struck 27 from just 16 balls, hitting 3 fours and a six before also retiring not out.
Poynter bowled Kevin Cooper for 4 before Dingle claimed her 2nd wicket when B Jarding was caught by Poynter for 6.
L Vanassche picked up 2 late wickets, dismissing Kim Rose hit wicket for 2 before bowling John Shepherd for 4.
Cal the Dragon finished unbeaten on 8 as the Celebrity Cricket XI closed on 125/7 from their 20 overs, 34 runs short of their target.
Dingle, N Goldsmith and Vanassche each finished with 2 wickets for the Isle of Wight, with Poynter taking the other wicket.
Reflecting on the event, Kevin Cooper said:
“We were thrilled to be part of what was a brilliant day. Our celebrity players weren’t really sure what the rules were and hadn’t really taken to a cricket field before, but came away loving what was a really lovely family day.
“Lots of laughs and, surprisingly, lots of good cricket from our celebrity team too.
“We cannot wait for next year already.”
Images courtesy of Tom Beresford Photography and Video
