CHAMPIONS Easingwold pulled off a final over victory to lift the President's Challenge Trophy from under the noses of York Senior Cricket League rivals Woodhouse Grange.

The annual pre-season challenge game between the Hunters Premier Cup winners (Grange) and the premier division champions (Easingwold) provided a feast of runs.

Grange posted a formidable 252-9 from their 40 overs but were overhauled in the final over by the host club who won with seven wickets to spare.

Grange were given a sound start by Jon Bean and Nick Hadfield who reached 46 before Bean fell to Paul Redshaw for 28. Jason Sergeant then removed both Hadfield (31) and Simon Dwyer (8) but the remainder of the innings was then dominated by wicketkeeper-batsman Mike Burdett.

He shared a 38-run stand with brother Steve who was bowled by Jon Marwood for 26. Mike Burdett pressed on as he moved to a fine century, reaching 109 not out as Grange's innings closed at 252-5.

Burdett's 109 came off 73 deliveries and included 13 fours and three sixes. He moved from 50 to 100 off only 17 balls. Such was Burdett's dominance that Chris Pitts' share of an unbroken stand of 114 was 18 with 132 being added in the final 12 overs. Sargent's 2-47 was the pick of the Easingwold bowling.

In reply, Easingwold made a good start and had reached 53 before left-arm spinner Andrew Bilton had Easingwold skipper Martin Piercy caught by Paul Grewer for 27.

Bilton grabbed another wicket four runs later but this was to be his side's pinnacle since new batsman Paul Skilbeck set about the Woodhouse bowlers with a vengeance. He outpaced his partner Marwood and seemed to be set for a quickfire ton before he was bowled after making 93 out of a stand of 136.

Marwood then took control and paced himself superbly to steer Easingwold home with one ball to spare.

The opener's chancless innings saw him make 106 not out which, after his brillinat catch in the first innings, represented an extremely satisfactory day for Marwood who had also returned his side's most economical bowling figures.

Easingwold skipper Martin Piercy was presented with the President's Trophy after the game by George Myerscough who was appointed League President for a three year spell at the League AGM last November.


Woodhouse Grange: J E Bean c Copeland b Redshaw 28, N G Hadfield lbw b Sargent 31, S R Dwyer c Dawson b Sargent 8, M N Burdett not out 109, S D Burdett b Marwood 26, J Rudd c Marwood b Banks 9, C J Pitts not out 18. Extras 23. Total 252-5 (40 overs).

Bowling: P Skilbeck 8-3-35-0, J Bryan 5-0-57-0, J P Marwood 8-0-32-1, P Redshaw 8-1-35-1, J Sargent 6-1-47-2, T Banks 5-0-41-1.

Easingwold: M J Piercy c Grewer b Bilton 27, J P Marwood not out 106, T R Piercy c M Burdett b Bilton 3, P Skilbeck b Dwyer 93, D Copeland not out 12. Extras 14. Total 255-3 (39.5 overs).

Bowling: T S Quinn 5-0-37-0, S D Burdett 8-1-35-0, A J Bilton 5-1-36-2, N G Hadfield 8-1-24-0, P Grewer 4.5-0-34-0, C J Pitts 2-0-33-0, S R Dwyer 6-0-49-1.

Easingwold won by 7 wickets