Matthew Hoggard, Tony Lewis and Andrew Balding make Kingsclere celebration a day to remember

An event celebrating 250 years of cricket in Kingsclere drew an estimated crowd of over a thousand people last Sunday.

The match between a Park House Stables Invitation XI and Kingsclere Cricket Club saw a number of big names turn out to help raise money for multiple charities.

Former England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard topped the billing, joined by former England and Southampton footballer James Beattie, racehorse trainer Jack Channon, as well as Hampshire cricketers Ali Orr and Joe Eckland, with Michael Channon on commentary.

The toss was performed by former England captain Tony Lewis, which Kingsclere won before opting to field.

Despite the fall of both openers, Orr and Eckland both put on over thirty runs each before the Hampshire men were caught out

Jack Channon displayed his batting power, whilst Beattie was unable to trouble the scorers.

Between innings, Andrew Balding displayed three racehorses, Coltrane, Teumessias Fox and Berkshire Nugget, parading before going over the gallops.

In response to the Park House score of 127, openers Pete Frith and Dan Jones were caught off the bowling of the Balding brothers, Jonno and Owen.

Despite this, Kingsclere made good progress as Ross Andrews put on 48.

Kingsclere would reach the total without much trouble, as Henry Johnson saw the club home to a historic win.

Elsewhere, children were entertained by a tractor display and a fleet of Land Rovers provided by Marshall.

A prize draw saw entrants walk away with tickets to the T20 International at the Utilita Bowl, a signed Hampshire and Southern Vipers shirt and a net session at the Ageas Bowl Indoor School with a Hampshire coach.

All in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the day, as the sun shone down on a momentous day in Kingsclere.