Exeter City Football Club swapped their red stripes for their cricket whites last Thursday, as players and management took on supporters and sponsors in a Twenty20 cricket match at the Bonfire Field home of Topsham St James CC.

The event was staged to raise funds for the Grecians Academy and the Football in the Community department.

The fundraiser was once again made possible by the sponsorship of EMCAS, the Devon-based financial claims management specialists.

City won the toss and opted to bowl – and the Topsham St James Invitation XI set a target of 124 with some decent batting – although they were helped by being handed plenty of extras with a lot of questionable bowling from the Grecians!

In the run chase, midfielder Jimmy Keohane, on his cricketing debut, showed himself to be a natural with bat in hand as he dispatched three boundaries in just four balls on his way to a total of 24.

Last year’s heroes for City, John O’Flynn and manager Paul Tisdale, were both dismissed for just two runs apiece; the former being clean bowled, and the latter being caught right on the boundary rope.

However, the middle and late order fired City back into the contest and a neat single by Jacob Wannell in the final over ticked the Grecians on to victory.

The game was followed by a fundraising raffle and a post-match ‘question-and-answer’ ssession with Paul Tisdale to preview the forthcoming season.

Exeter City’s youth commercial manager David Evans, who helped set up the event, said: “It was great to have such strong support and coverage of the cricket match once again, and it’s nice to see the Grecians off to winning ways this season!”

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone that supported the event, and in particular EMCAS for sponsoring the match and making it possible.”

Craig Bernhardt, chief executive of EMCAS, was amongst the supporters and sponsors team.

He said: “It was great fun to get stuck in with both the bat and ball to give the Grecians a real challenge. Most importantly of all, the game helped raise much needed money for two great causes.”

“Exeter City Academy and Football in the Community play a key part in developing local youth and sporting talent and events like today’s game not only help to raise vital funds, but keep the profile of these important organisations firmly in the news.”