FIVE years after a narrow three run victory, the Lords Taverners returned to Steeple Aston’s ground at Barton Abbey for a long-awaited rematch in charity match in front of 500 spectators.

With former England captain, Mike Gatting, umpiring and another, MJK Smith, watching on, ex-England fly-half Rob Andrew opened the batting, but struggled to score quickly against a tight attack before becoming one of leg-spinner Stan Owen’s two wickets in two balls.

Former Somerset all-rounder Graham Rose (29) and ex-England seamer Andy Caddick (30) upped the tempo.

World Cup rugby star Will Greenwood (19) hit out powerfully in the last few overs before being sharply stumped off Greg Renk’s final delivery.

Television presenter Chris Tarrant was left on five not out as Taverners finished with 123-6 from their 30 overs.

During the tea interval, members of the Taverners joined pupils from Springfield School, Witney, for a game of kwik cricket on the outfield.

Against an attack including Gladstone Small and Caddick, Jon Scotchbrook (22) kept Steeple Aston up with the clock.

Jamie Longman (31) then helped the village side home by three wickets in the final over to secure a revenge victory.

Peter Higgins, the driving force behind the club’s fundraising efforts, hit the winning runs.

The whole weekend, which included a fund-raising dinner the previous night, raised £15,000 for charity, with Springfield School among the beneficiaries.