Church Eaton 1st XI vs Stafford CC – Saturday 26th July 2025
Match Report: Grit, Guts & G. Burslem – Church Eaton Bounce Back with Big Win Over High-Flying Stafford CC.

Church Eaton returned to action looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Little Stoke the previous weekend. The mood was optimistic despite a damp morning, but the toss proved crucial—and in true tradition, skipper Matt White lost it again. Church Eaton were sent in to bat by a confident Stafford CC side who have been in and around the promotion spots all season.

There were three changes to the XI, with father and son duo Steve and Sam Pedley returning after a week of sun (well not for sam) alongside Oliver Wilson, replacing Dan Smith, Mike Holdcroft and Jay Arnold.

Conditions early on were testing—green pitch, moisture underfoot, and low bounce. Stafford’s new ball attack of Connolly and Haynes bowled probing lines and made scoring difficult. However, Matt Burslem and debutant opener Oliver Wilson provided a steady start. Wilson, after finding some fluency, cracked four boundaries before driving straight to Oscar Bell at mid-off for a lively 22. (29-1)

In-form Jordan Talbot followed soon after, and then Matt Burslem was bowled by Sean Connolly, attempting a premeditated slog sweep . Sam Pedley was dismissed three balls later, and CE were wobbling at 34-4.

Enter George Burslem and Will Ross, who steadied the ship with a crucial 36-run stand. Ross looked to rotate and nudge, but fell for 22 driving on the up to extra cover. At 70-5, skipper Matt White joined G. Burslem in what would become the defining partnership of the innings.

Burslem absorbed the pressure and anchored the innings while White punished anything loose, including a beautiful straight 6. The pair added 39 vital runs before White was bowled by Andy Hopwood for a composed 23. (109-6)

Abdullah fell quickly to Glayshier, but Burslem, now set in the 30s, found a willing partner in Rob Austin. The two began to build momentum—Burslem working ones and twos as Stafford spread the field, and Austin offering some clean hitting, including two fine boundaries.

Just as Burslem looked to push on & also feeling out done by his batting partner. G.Burslem then ran Austin out & told the skipper to put his back at 11 next week.
controversially—replays (which we don’t have) suggest the fielder may not have been in control of the ball when the stumps were broken. (137-8)

Undeterred, Burslem pressed on, bringing up a gritty and invaluable half-century—just his second boundary came well after 50, testament to the patience and purpose in his innings. He was eventually bowled for a fantastic 60 from 78 balls by Joshua Williams.

There was still time for a cameo from veteran Ade Melbourn, who rolled back the years with a beautiful straight six into the sightscreen against his old mate Hopwood. CE were bowled out for 180 in 39.5 overs—a score that felt well above par on a tough wicket.

Church Eaton’s bowlers knew early breakthroughs were key. Will Ross struck first, finding Mark Evans’ edge with a sharp catch at gully by skipper White. Stafford responded with some boundaries off Abdullah’s pace, but Ross soon removed Darmody (bowled) and Gilbert (caught at gully) to leave Stafford 45-3.

Oliver Wilson then joined the party, knocking back Dan Howe’s stumps. Stafford's dangerous middle order now faced the spin duo of Matt Burslem and Ade Melbourn. Burslem struck with his first over—removing Joshua Williams with a lovely off-spinning delivery. (74-5)

Sam Haynes didn’t hang around long either—swinging from the first ball and holing out to Jordan Talbot at deep midwicket, much to the disbelief of umpire Mark Evans, furious at his captain’s shot selection.

Hopwood and Bell offered some resistance, taking Stafford past 100, but Melbourn struck twice in quick succession. Hopwood was trapped LBW, then Bell was controversially given out in similar fashion despite appearing to inside edge it. Stafford were now 117-8.

M. Burslem returned to mop up the tail. Fulton was caught out by a ball that seemed to bounce twice before hitting him infront of all 3, Connolly was the last man to go, chipping to Ross at short extra.

Stafford all out for 129 – Church Eaton win by 51 runs

An excellent all-round bowling performance saw the wickets shared evenly:

Will Ross – 3-28 Ade Melbourn – 3-16 Matt Burslem – 3-30

Man of the Match: George Burslem – 60 (78)
Came in at 34-4 and departed at 178-9. A calm, mature innings on a difficult pitch that set up the win.

Dick of the Day: Will Ross – for incorrectly calling a no-ball from square leg, moving to Altrincham, and (perhaps worst of all) giving up alcohol. Silly, silly Will.

Highlight of the Day - the images taken of Rob Austin's power hitting- check out the gallery for these!

Next Fixture: Away at Ashcombe Park – another high-flying side and another tough test.

Scorecard - https://churcheaton.play-cricket.com/website/results/6880947