RAIN STAYS AWAY AS ‘FAMILY FUN’ WEEKEND GOES AHEAD
Despite the forecast of heavy rain on Sunday, Great Melton's ‘Family Fun' weekend came through virtually unscathed. Friday evening's Junior Bash was very well attended with around 80 Under 11s in 8 teams taking part in a series of cricketing challenges. Saturday's 3 senior matches (unfortunately all resulting in defeats) were followed by a beer festival evening with live music provided by The Cream Horns including Chairman Simon Woods on lead guitar.
By Sunday morning the Chairman had swopped his guitar for pads and wicket-keeping gloves as his XI took on the President's XI in a T20 game. Despite a heavy rainfall at around mid-day play wasn't delayed for long and the full 40 overs were completed. In a near-perfect scenario everyone had a bowl and a bat and the result was in doubt until the final over. It was good to see Melton ‘legends' Daryl and Marcus Godbold and Chris Elliott making a welcome return to Melton Park.
The President's XI batted first and totalled 158-7 with Adrian Stober (28 not out), Chris Elliott (26 retired), Kyle Weston (29 retired) and George Ryan (30 retired) the main contributors. The Rushton father and son combination of Matt (3-20) and Ethan (2-11) were the principal wicket-takers. Ben Mann (13) then Marcus Godbold and Ryan Hayward, who both retired having reached 25, got the Chairman's team off the a promising start but wickets kept tumbling and 19 were needed off the final over. However Kyle Weston bowled the returning Hayward, who did not add to his 25, and finally Godbold for 43 giving the President's team victory by 8 runs. There were 2 wickets apiece for Weston, Aiden Button and Chris Elliott and one each for Sam Davey and Nick Mackenzie. Ethan Rushton completed a good all-round performance with an unbeaten 30.
The match was followed by the village fete and family fun day and, although the weather forecast had caused the cancellation of some of the attractions, the rain stayed away long enough for most things to go ahead as planned.
