On Sunday 25th June 2017 Burbage and Easton Royal 1st XI travelled all the way down to Roche in Cornwall for the last 32 of the National Village Knockout. The club was supported by a coach load of players, family and friends, who braced the cold winds and rain to cheer on the lads, warmed by an early Strongbow or two. Captain David Cope and Deepak Joon were ineligible to play so helped with the warm up and supported from the boundary. The ever present WAGs were in fine form and soon tracked down the bottles of old school VK which had not been seen since the 1990s, but were stocked in full range by the social club.

At one point during the game, Deepak disappeared from the field and was shortly spotted at the top of Roche rock, which stood impressively over the ground. It was, of course, too much of a temptation not to make the clamber myself ...

Burbage had the worst of conditions, fielding for twenty overs in the rain, but managed to take regular wickets to restrict Roche to 206. Burbage got off to a solid start, and made strong progress in the middle order, but it just wasn't to be, and a batting collapse meant that Burbage fell agonisingly short at 191 all out.

It wasn't the result that we wanted, but spirits weren't down for long, and the boys will go again next year. Hope you enjoy the photos.

#uptherangers