With Church Eaton winning the toss an overcast slightly cooler morning presented an opportunity to field first, opening bowler Ollie Rowlands took a wicket with the third ball of the game and bowled a very tidy first spell taking 3 wickets in 5 overs.

Our other opening bowler Steve Pedley was complaining about having a stiff shoulder so managed 2 overs before being replaced by stand in skipper Elliot Robinson who bowled a fairly tight 5 overs for no reward.

With early wickets leaving Oakamoor at 49-3 they slowly began to rebuild a score. First change bowler Chris Marshall was patient before getting the 4th Oakamoor wicket leaving them 109-4. With his 5 over spell complete on came Steve Taylor for a change of angle with no luck and at from the opposite end Fred Melbourne. After a flurry of cross batted shots left him slightly frustrated. He eventually won the battle and got his man. Oakamoor 142-5.

Another change to the bowling attack. Ollie Rowlands back on and ready for his second stint, Taking the important wicket of the batsman who had ruined Church’s chances of victory last year by hitting 60 fairly quickly. Ollie ran out of overs to get the fivefer leaving him on a 4 wicket haul. From the football field end, James Peasley, fresh from taking 3 wickets in the T20 on Tuesday he started slowly struggling to find the form from midweek. His luck changed in his second over as the skippers belief in him payed off as he took 3 more wickets in his next 3 overs. Oakamoor now 175-9.

Chris Marshall finished the Oakamoor Innings with a caught and bowled. Oakamoor 175 all out.

Honourable mentions (1st innings)

I Booth 39
G Dawson 38

Ollie Rowlands 4-15 off 8 overs (2 maidens)
James Peasley 3-26 off 4 overs (1 maiden)

Overall a solid performance with the ball well stuck at with a very fast outfield left Church Eaton with a tricky 176 to win.

Opening the batting for Church Eaton was Sam Pedley and Steve Taylor hoping for a tricky right and left hand combination, the first wicket fell on the final ball of the fourth over with Sam Pedley chopping on to his stumps, wicket one for the left arm seamer.

Rich Smith came in at three, with Steve Taylor looking to settle down he played towards a swinging ball and it kept swinging to tickle his off stump enough for the bails to be dislodged. Church Eaton 21-2

In came George Tilley, after a quick single from Rich Smith, the next over George skied one and there was confusion as George sprinted to the other end with Rich watching the ball fly past the sun and be dropped by the fielder. Much to Rich’s dismay he had left his crease and was left standing next to George at the bowlers end therefore being runout. Was this unlucky or a sign of things to come. Church Eaton 22-3

With James Peasley coming to the crease George hit 3 runs in the preceding over to leave James on strike, after defending the first four balls he played across the line and was bowled 27-4. In stepped Ollie Rowlands fresh from his 4fer he blocked one and tried to send the second ball into orbit but missed and was bowled. Church Eaton were left on 27-5.

With a rebuild needed in came Chris Marshall to partner Tilley at the crease, a steady rebuild looked on the cards as George and Chris battled away and saw off the opening bowlers before Chris was bowled scoring a commendable 23. The much needed partnership left Church Eaton 73-6

Arran Peasley was next in line, fresh from a hatful of runs the week before and feeling tired from the Duke of Edinburgh award. George took the reins and plodded away soaking up pressure and letting Arran hit the runs Church desperately needed. A change of bowling tempted George into trying to hit the spinner off his first ball and was caught behind for 24 runs. A very solid effort given the circumstances. Church Eaton now 92-7 with just about 13 overs to go.

Next to the crease was Elliot Robinson, paired with Arran the only option was to increase the run rate, 84 to win from 77 balls , a slow start made it tough work, 83 from 72 balls to win, murmurs from the Oakamoor field made the run rate fairly obvious. A full toss first ball of the next over provided ample opportunity, 6 runs scored, 5 wides from the second ball, a solid end to the over saw Church Eaton needing 71 off 66 balls.

Peasley and Robinson carried on scoring well and looked settled. 9 runs on from the next over left them on 62 from 60 balls needed, with the run rate in mind the Oakamoor field slowly got quieter, 2 overs and 9 runs later left 51 to chase of 48 balls, another six from Robinson and quick feet from both turned the tide. The next few overs passed with Peasley showing wonderful shot selection and level head, and Robinson power hitting from the other end, his half century came from 35 balls. Going for victory he played 1 shot too many and was caught. A partnership of 81 saw Church Eaton 173-8 and virtually over the line.

Fred Melbourne came to the crease with Peasley facing the next over, a single from the first ball left Melbourne facing his first ball, the faintest of touches allowed the batters to get the runs needed for victory.

Overall a very competitive game that ebbed and flowed all the way through on a scorching spring day.

Honourable mentions (2nd innings)

H Forrester 4-9 off 8 overs (3 maidens)
H Bradbury 2-30 off 6 overs

E Robinson 50
A Peasley 34*