Headley 228-6dec (Vaughan-Davies 76*; Chapman 53) lost to Presidents XI 229-8 (J.Midmer 6-65) by 2 wickets  

The setting sun brought drama up on Headley Heath as a thrilling climax to Presidents Day 2008 saw the Presidents XI hold off a brave fight-back from Headley and take the spoils in the final over.

Earlier in the day Headley openers William Midmer and James Moss had strolled out in blazing sunshine and played some attractive shots against a tidy opening spell from regular Brook seamer Ed Katzler. Moss was looking to repeat his heroics of 2006, but found the going tough as both he and chairman Andy Pickering fell early to Katzler, leaving Midmer and Headley's No.4 bat John Vaughan-Davis to take the score up to the 100 mark. Vaughan-Davis began watchfully before thumping a towering six over long on which experienced observers agreed to be one of the largest ever witnessed by the ground. The shot ended up deep into the bracken jungle and, despite the attentions of a sizeable search party, succeeded in removing the new ball from the Presidents attack. At the other end Will Midmer continued to spray a range of cut shots around, but having looked in little difficulty he drove uppishly to extra cover on 43, departing with the score on 110-2. With spin now on at both ends the scoring rate began to slow, but Vaughan-Davis accumulated steadily to take Headley past 150 mark, and reached a well deserved half century with the minimum of fuss. With around an hour remaining, Headley skipper Philip Chapman decided the time had come to change gear, and entered the fray with a trademark slog. Ignoring some cutting remarks from opposition fielders, Chapman heaved a succession of pulls and slog sweeps over the road, and with the score now well past 200, put one high and handsome over the pavilion to register a quickfire half century.

The Presidents XI didn’t seem overly fazed by  a slightly modest total and their strong top four unleashed some scorching shots, driving and pulling with authority to take their score to 100-1 in quick time. Headley pulled the game back through Alan Clarke and Grant Waller, who stuck to their guns and took a key wicket apiece, Waller's with the aid of a great catch in front of the pavilion by Will Midmer. The Presidents men continued to look far the better bet however, as their opening bat Charlie Pickard eased past 50 and was joined by Katzler, who connected with a series of massive blows to send the score racing past 150. Things were starting to look grim, but Headley refused to lie down and James Midmer led a dramatic fightback with the help of some much improved fielding. Bowling some unusually straight bustling seam, Midmer removed Pickard in his first over and then got a slower ball to climb off the pitch which Katzler could only nick behind to keeper Anjai Patel. The crowds interest had now returned from the evening Pimms as Headley wreaked carnage on the Presidents middle order, with Midmer striking four more times thanks to some good catching from Messrs Mearns, Waller and Midmer W and a quick yorker which castled the away skipper. With the game now firmly in the balance at 190-8 but Presidents men were made of stern stuff and held admirably firm under pressure, with ITN News anchor Mark Austin cracking a quickfire 25 to guide the visitors home in the final over.  

The match was of a high quality throughout and provided a thrilling finish which befitted the occasion. Thanks must go to the spectators, the caterers, both umpires and most of all the President for putting on such a splendid day. Roll on next year!