A CROWD of several hundred spectators saw the PCA England Masters defeat an Ipswich Cricket Club XI by 79 runs in a Twenty20 match at the club’s Clay Hall ground on Thursday.

CHRIS Schofield top-scored with 69 for the team of ex-England players, before becoming one of Mark Phillips’ four victims. The 17-year-old, who bowls away swingers, currently plays for the club’s 3rd XI.

The Ipswich CC side, which included players from all four of the club’s teams, bowled and fielded well and held some excellent catches.

Rob Southall, who plays for the England Physical Disability team, took a brilliant one-handed catch above his head at extra cover, and Joe Rusby held a difficult chance on the long-on boundary.

Lalit Bose played some classy shots in his innings of 25 as Ipswich closed on 106 for six. Kieran Cloud, a member of Ipswich who plays for Suffolk Under-13s, fielded as 12th man for the visitors and held a catch.

Event organiser Rick Jones said: “It has been a magnificent day for all concerned. The England Masters have been a credit they way they have behaved and performed on the day. Nothing has been too much trouble for them, and I am delighted Ipswich Cricket Club have had the opportunity to play against them and see at first hand how first-class cricket should be played.

“Thank-you to everyone who turned up to watch and also to the corporate guests who supported us for the luncheon, and who knows, maybe next year!”

Former Essex captain Paul Prichard, who is now commercial manager of the PCA, said: “Ipswich Cricket Club have done a fantastic job. The pitch and ground was in superb condition and all the lads have really enjoyed the day. They appreciate the support the spectators have given.

“The PCA England Masters is a valuable part of our business – not only does it provide an income for players once they have retired, it also takes good quality cricket out to the clubs and enables them to raise money.”

Around 250 corporate guests enjoyed lunch in a marquee and there was a Q&A session, compered by Paul Nixon, during which Mark Ramprakash, Devon Malcolm and Neil Fairbrother answered questions.

The match was in aid of club funds and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

Scoreboard

PCA Masters: C Schofield c Alder b Phillips 69, A Brown c Southall b Watling 12, M Ramprakash c Alder b Phillips 18, M Loye c Hondo b Phillips 25, P DeFreitas c Rusby b S Bell 14, N Fairbrother c Alder b S Bell 10, P Nixon c Phillips b Hondo 0, A Tudor c Gibson b S Bell 4, M Bicknell not out 1, D Headley st Webb-Snowling b S Bell 18, D Malcolm not out 4. Extras 10. Total (for 9 wkts) 185.

Fall: 1-36, 2-96, 3-111, 4-138, 5-153, 6-153, 7-157, 8-157, 9-181.

Bowling: Hondo 4-0-37-1, Watling 3-0-41-1; Howe 4-0-29-0; Southall 2-0-17-0; Phillips 3-0-28-3; C Bell 1-0-9-0; S Bell 3-0-19-4.

Ipswich CC: J Rusby b Headley 25, J Alder c Bicknell b Malcolm 1, L Bose c Schofield b Malcolm 25, S Gibson c Nixon b Headley 3, J Rowett not out 23, S Webb-Snowling c Cloud b DeFreitas 7, A Polley b DeFreitas 14, D Hondo not out 5. Extras 3. Total (for 6 wkts) 106.

Fall: 1-3, 2-39, 3-54, 4-57, 5-68, 6-91.

Bowling: Tudor 3-1-14-0; Malcolm 4-0-20-2; Schofield 4-0-12-0; Headley 3-0-13-2; DeFreitas 3-0-17-2; Cloud 1-0-4-0; Ramprakash 1-0-10-0; Loye 1-0-15-0.