Legends are star turn at Guiseley's big bash (From Wharfedale Observer)

Legends are star turn at Guiseley's big bash

12:30pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Sport

Guiseley’s fund-raising Twenty/20 game against the England Legends proved to be a big hit in every sense.

The day started with an excellent marquee lunch for 250 guests provided by Apperley Bridge-based GC Taverns, with entertainment provided by MC Pete Emmett and impressionist Kevin Connelly. Thankfully the weather proved more favourable than forecast and the rain held off long enough for the match to take place at 4pm by which time a healthy crowd had assembled. The England Legends won the toss and got off to a fast start with the former Lancashire pair of Chris Schofield and Warren Hegg opening the batting .

Their former county colleagues Mal Loye (71) and Neil Fairbrother (31) took the Legends total up to daunting 226-7 with David Pennett, Damon Reeve and Chris Wain each taking two wickets. Two of the later order batsmen, Devon Malcolm and Alex Tudor, continued to enjoy the marquee hospitality as the innings unfolded.

Alex Bell departed early in the Guiseley reply but 21 from Callum Fraser and an excellent 50 from Harrison Durkin who retired, together with late contributions from Steve Dickinson and Rob Butterfield, took the home side to a respectable 161-7, which meant defeat by 65 runs.

The Legends team entered fully into the spirit of the day and after the game wicketkeeper Paul Nixon gave a few tips to Guiseley stumper, Charlie Best, in front of an enthralled crowd. After the match everyone adjourned back to the marquee where musical entertainment was provided by singer Victor Michaels.

Legends star Fairbrother said: “Guiseley Cricket Club should be extremely proud of the day they have put on for us from the quality of the lunch and entertainment, to the quality of the wicket, to the way the ground was presented as a whole. “It is clear that a number of people have been working extremely hard to put this event together and we would have no hesitation in coming back.”

Guiseley Chairman, Nick Fraser, commented: “Today has been the culmination of seven months hard work but thankfully everything came together as we would have hoped.

“I want to express my thanks to the PCA players , to Chris and Nick Green of GC Taverns for their support throughout, to Wharfedale Brewery and to The Clipper Group for their generous sponsorship. “We haven’t finalised the figures yet, but we hope to have generated around £1,000 to share between our chosen charities, The Stroke Association and Marie Curie Cancer Care.”