A BRILLIANT unbeaten 59 from Tom Howorth narrowly proved in vain as Eversley were beaten by seven runs by a PCA Masters side including Ashes winners Matthew Hoggard and Monty Panesar on Friday, writes Richard Ashton.

Former England opening batsman Ali Brown thrilled the crowds by blasting 76 for the visitors, with all-rounder Mark Alleyne adding 29 in a total of 161 from 20 overs.

Lewis Sharp – who came in as a last-minute replacement after Alex Sykes injured himself in the warm-up – was the main wicket-taker for the Boars, grabbing 2-45, while Stuart Lipo also collected 1-18.

Eversley looked as though they could spring a surprise as man-of-the-match Howorth and James Magowan (39) left them in a situation where they needed 32 from the last three overs, but the Masters held their nerve to restrict the Boars to 154, Alleyne taking 2-14 and fellow former England all-rounder Dimi Mascarenhas 1-17.

On Saturday, Eversley suffered a first defeat of the Thames Valley League Division 2a season, going down by 107 runs at high-flying Kidmore End.

The Boars won the toss and chose to field, but Tom Burslem and Jake Easton put on 46 until Lipo had the former caught by Jack Ford.

Kidmore rebuilt, though, and were eventually able to post a competitive 193-9 from their 50 overs, captain James Frost top scoring with 30 not out.

Lipo (3-33) and Magowan (4-32) were the pick of the Eversley attack.

The Boars’ reply began in disastrous fashion as Jeff Sheldon (4-28) tore through the top order to leave the visitors in a precarious position at 18-5.

Magowan and top scorer Alex Davidson (28) put on 46 for the sixth wicket, but once Frost removed him, there was another collapse against the left-arm spin of Alex Crawford (3-22) which ended with Eversley being bowled out for just 86.

Eversley are at home to table-topping Hayes in the first of the traditional ‘timed’ games this coming Saturday.

A stunning debut from Thomas Magowan (5-9) helped Eversley 2nds to a commanding 132-run victory at home to Aldershot 2nds in Division 5b.

Rezaul Roni (67) and Ian Smith (40) led the way as the hosts totalled 242-9 in their 45 overs, and Magowan’s stunning spell blitzed Aldershot for 110.

Youngster Alex Sharp made an unbeaten 58 and Gerald Soames chipped in with 47 as Eversley 3rds (197-7) beat Fleet 2nds (123) by 74 runs.

Kevin Manning (4-24) and Matt Salter (3-23) were the destroyers-in-chief for the Boars.

In Division 9a, Ed Campion took 3-17 from 10 overs, but Eversley 4ths (133) lost by three wickets to Kidmore End 3rds (136-7).