A CROWD of around 600 people enjoyed the chance to watch Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan and fellow international stars Phil Tufnell and Azhar Mahmood play in the club’s annual President’s XI match on Sunday.

Sonning captain Pete Dean elected to bat first with his side amassing a competitive 156 off their 20 overs, with Zahid Mohammed and Simon Brooks both making 30 not out.

In reply, the President’s XI got off to a strong start with Vaughan leading the charge, showing his class in an innings of 50 not out.

With the game on a knife edge, Sonning looked the more likely of the two sides after an impressive display of control with the ball from Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood, but the President’s XI sixth-wicket pair of Dan Anderson and Tim Dellor took back control to steer them home with just four balls to spare.

Club chairman James Travers said the day was a great success, adding: “We would like to thank the officials of the day – Alan Kennealy and George Wilton for umpiring, Alan Bright for scoring, and Phil and Christine Wilding for looking after the pavilion on the busiest day of the year.

“And a special thank-you must go to club president Max and his wife Paula McNeill for their dedication to ensuring the day was a success. The high standards set from previous years were retained, if not surpassed.”