A former Watford XI went down to a narrow defeat against Chipperfield Clarendon in their first cricket match of the summer on Friday (4th June).

The match, organised through the Former Players' Association, was a great success and attracted a healthy crowd on a glorious evening on The Common, home of Chipperfield Clarendon Cricket Club.

The Hornets side was put together by Neil Price and captained by current Goalkeeper Coach Alec Chamberlain.

The 1984 FA Cup final team was represented by Steve Sherwood and Steve Terry, whilst Chamberlain was joined by fellow 1999 play-off final winners Nick Wright and Steve Palmer.

Alan Mayes, Ian Bolton and Derek Payne also lined up in the Watford side which was augmented by programme editor Richard Walker, BBC Three Counties Radio and Hornets Player commentator Jon Marks and Matt Cobb. Malcolm Allen and Keith Cassells were other former Hornets who were in attendance.

The Hornets fielded first in the Twenty Twenty clash and the home side made a good start that threatened to set the visitors a stiff target for victory.

Chipperfield's Freddy Hampson top-scored with 32 although was also involved in two run -outs that left his team-mates stranded thanks to some fine fielding from Nick Wright on both occasions.

Steve Sherwood was the pick of the Watford bowlers and the Hornets did well to restrict Chipperfield to 132-7 from their allotted 20 overs.

Palmer and Wright opened the batting in reply but Palmer was dismissed at the end of the second over.

That brought skipper Chamberlain to the crease and together with Wright they built a partnership that gave Watford a chance of victory.

Wright, who plays regularly in the Derbyshire League, made an accomplished 32 but Chamberlain went on and was given good support from Ian Bolton and Sherwood as the game remained in the balance.

Watford needed 25 from the last two overs but the boundaries they needed just wouldn't come despite Chamberlain's best efforts and the Hornets ended nine runs short of victory.

Chamberlain's classy innings ended unbeaten on 59 which was enough to pick up the man of the match award from the Chipperfield chairman at the end of match.

Watford staff, assisted by Hornets legend Nigel Gibbs, led a collection for the Peace Hospice which was generously supported by the crowd that enjoyed the evening's entertainment.

The next cricket match is scheduled for Friday July 16th against Langleybury CC. More details will follow here at www.watfordfc.com.