Stuart is Easton's 'Chicken' Supreme!

Burridge (193 for 9) beat Easton & Martyr Worthy (177 for 7) by 16 runs

EASTON's league title challenge faltered at Burridge, last Saturday, but they made amends on Sunday when Stuart 'Chicken' Charman guided them into the last sixteen of the National Village Championship.

At Burridge David Birch (56) and Steve Green (54) had rescued Easton from 61 for 5, but when Birch holed out in the deep in the 45th over the target was still 40 runs. As long as Green remained at the crease the match hung in the balance, but when he was bowled by Friedrich, the writing was on the wall.

Earlier, Easton had contributed 25 wides to the Burridge total. Burridge were indebted to 54 from Dave Jackson; no other batsman scored more than 26. Shaun Green bowled a fiery and tight spell of 2 for 15 at the death as Burridge closed on 193 for 9.

After crushing virtually all opposition this season, Easton were unable to show the necessary resolve in the run chase and lost valuable ground to their title rivals as a result.

Tomorrow (Saturday 12th) Easton entertain OTs & Romsey, who are also championship contenders, and then the following weekend travel to St Cross for a mouth-watering local derby.

Village delight

It wasn't a case of "Here comes Lord's" but "Oh Lord!" on Sunday. when Easton & Martyr Worthy beat Blackheath, the Surrey and Berkshire Group Champions, in a last 32 thriller in the National Village knockout.

Set a mere 75 to win, 'Chicken' Charman was the hero after his supposedly superior batting partners had collapsed to 32 for 7 from 28 for 1.

Charman showed no nerves in a heart-thumping situation, smashing 30 not out off just 23 balls to ease Easton to victory in the 26th over.

Watched by a sun-drenched crowd of around 125, Andy Birch survived the carnage happening around him and was able to provide invaluable support to Charman, finishing on 17 not out.

Importantly, their dramatic recovery coincided with the introduction of Blackheath's second string bowlers after McDermott (4-20) and Webb (3-11) had finished their allotted 9 overs each.

Earlier, Blackheath had themselves struggled to deal with a low-bouncing wicket. Mark Stone continued his fine bowling form this season, taking 3 for 14 from his 9 overs. Shaun Green (7-2-8-1), Andy Birch (7-0-15-3) and Steve Green (7-1-9-2) maintained the pressure with tight spells of their own to dismiss Blackheath for 74 in 36 overs.

Easton now progress to the last 16 of the competition, where they face a tricky away tie at Findon (Sussex) next Sunday (20th). If they are to fulfil their dream and reach the Lord's final they must learn to show more application in the batting department - but the efforts of Birch and Charman show that they do have sufficient spirit to achieve their goal.