Here’s your Church Eaton CC match report for the 1st XI game vs Stafford CC on Saturday, 10 May 2025, formatted for posting on your website, Pitchero, or Facebook:

MATCH REPORT: Stafford CC vs Church Eaton CC – Sat 10 May 2025
North Staffs & South Cheshire League Division 4
Venue: Riverway Main Square
Result: Stafford CC won by 4 wickets
*Watch again on YouTube – full match and highlights available

Church Eaton 1st XI fell just short in a high-scoring contest at Riverway, as Stafford CC chased down 212 with eight balls to spare in a thrilling Division 4 clash that was streamed live on YouTube.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, Church Eaton made a steady start thanks to a composed 71-run opening stand between Matt Burslem (85 off 102) and Jordan Talbot (32 off 43). Burslem anchored the innings superbly, carrying his bat into the 40th over before falling for a well-crafted 85. However, the middle order faltered somewhat, with a mini-collapse seeing the visitors slide from 71-0 to 114-5.

Some late-order fireworks from Will Ross (31 off 21) and Rob Hogarth (27 off 22) boosted Church Eaton to a competitive 211-9 from their 40 overs, despite the best efforts of Stafford’s Mark Smallman, who claimed 3-33.

In reply, Stafford got off to a flyer, with aggressive batting from Kshitiz Mahajan (27) and Mark Evans (34) setting the tone. Gokul Selvam’s patient 50 held the innings together, and despite some tight bowling from Adrian Melbourn (1-19) and Matt White (1-35), the hosts always kept the chase under control.

Yasir Siraj’s unbeaten 41 off 42 balls proved decisive in the closing stages, guiding Stafford home in the 39th over with four wickets remaining.

Points:

Stafford CC: 21 pts
Church Eaton CC: 11 pts

A great advert for Division 4 cricket, but Church Eaton will rue missed chances and sloppy fielding on a good batting deck. With positives to take – particularly Burslem’s knock and strong late-order hitting.