A superb allround performance from BBC reporter Phil Mackie wasn't quite enough to prevent a Cricket Without Boundaries XI falling to a five run defeat to an England Women's XI at Arundel.

The newshound – famed for his heart-rending CWB documentary recorded in Rwanda and Kenya last year– took three wickets, a run out and finished on 36 not out as the charity just failed to reach their target of 128 in a close-fought encounter.

Earlier, CWB opening bowlers Lee Booth and Luke Sellers failed to leave their charitable side off the pitch as Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont duly cashed in on some early donations.

But the introduction of Mackie brought the breakthrough as he bowled Winfield for 15 to reduce England to 31-1. At the other end Keane keyboardist and songwriter Tim Rice-Oxley had both batters playing to his tune, producing swing and seam from 'somewhere only he knows' (sorry Tim).

The return of the 'Mack' in the ninth over proved a pivotal point in the match as he signed off his three over spell with the wickets of both Claire Taylor (9) – caught by Booth - and Beaumont -bowled for 25 - to leave England on 57-3. Mackie finished with 3-12 while Rice-Oxley was unlucky not to take a wicket as he went for just 15 in his three overs.

With Danielle Wyatt and CWB competition winner Hannah Newman at the crease England added 23 for the fourth wicket before local boy Will McClaran-Clark - on for former New Zealand fast bowler Iain O'Brien - had Wyatt caught by Sellers for 13 with the score on 80.

A 16-run-stand between Newman and Sarah Taylor looked to have put England in a commanding position at 96-4. But there was no keeping Mackie out of the headlines as he broke the partnership by running out Newman for 5 to bring England skipper Charlotte Edwards to the middle.

The two experienced campaigners looked in little trouble against the spin of CWB skipper Simon Hards and McClaran-Clark but Taylor was eventually undone by the returning Booth.

Using all his tactical nous the fiery Yorkshireman unleashed a ball down the leg-side which baffled Taylor enough for her to leave her crease and CWB 'keeper Matt Weaver to do the honours by removing the bails.

Some friendly bowling by Jamie Burton – no stranger to ingratiating himself with England Women's players – allowed Edwards (12 from five balls) and Nat Sciver to accelerate the scoring in the final few overs. Burton can did eventually have Sciver caught in the deep for 9 by Rice-Oxley but he was unlucky not to have taken a wicket before that when Dave Terrace inexplicably failed to get his hand on a straight-forward chance at mid-off.

Chasing 128 to win CWB made a cautious start as Burton attempted to do his best not to be dismissed by his better half – CWB ambassador and England spinner Holly Colvin.

But this resistance lasted less than three overs as the inevitable happened and he was caught in the deep off the bowling of his girlfriend for just 4 with the score on 12.

This brought Andrew Ryan to the crease and together with Terrace they set about rebuilding the innings. Together the pair added 27 before Ryan fell for 10. At other end gangly social media guru Terrace continued to surprise and delight the CWB fans with an unusual mix of deft touches and slightly less-elegant swipes across the line. This approach saw him reach 40 with consecutive sixes before he was caught and bowled by Beaumont to leave CWB 60-3 in the twelfth over.

McClaran-Clark went shortly afterwards for 7 but this proved a blessing in disguise as it brought man of the moment Mackie to the crease alongside O'Brien. The pair added 42 with some entertaining stroke-play before Colvin struck again to dismiss the Kiwi star for 18. This left CWB needing 19 from 11 balls for a famous victory. But despite the valiant efforts of Mackie (36 not out) and Weaver they fell agonisingly short, finishing on 122-5.

In addition to the match the day also included a coaching session for local schoolgirls led by CWB coaches and the England players. And there was also an auction of memorabilia to raise money for CWB's work in Africa.

A huge CWB thanks go to Holly Colvin and Hannah Weaver for organising the game and for all the England players for turning out. We would also like to thank John Barclay and everyone at Arundel for their hospitality. Finally a big thank you to the CWB ringers –Tim, Phil and Iain – and all the spectators for their generosity and support.