Easton and Paultons reach Village KO semis

Easton & Martyr Worthy and Paultons have landed home ties in the National Village Championship county semi-finals next weekend.

Quarter-finalists two seasons ago, Easton beat Sparsholt by six wickets to secure a home tie with Bramshaw, while Paultons win over Amport means they will host Dogmersfield on Sunday week.

Mark Stone (3-5) and Stu Charman (3-15) had Sparsholt reeling at 30-6 before Ian Stuart (65) came to the rescue and lifted the visitors to 138-8.

But Easton cruised home through Dave Birch (44), Shaun Green (31) and Kevin Neave (24 not out).

Left-hander Andrew Hart (78) and Ben Arnold (38 not out) guided Bramshaw to a five-wicket win at Hambledon, whose 205-9 (James Brighton 48) was comfortably overhauled. Jamie Terris (4-29) and Arnold (3-39) did the damage for the Foresters.

Duncan Park hammered 86 and Matt Campbell hit three successive sixes in the final over as Paultons posted 190-8 before dismissing Amport for 119.

Tony Richman, John Robinson and Paul Wilde shared the bowling spoils for Paultons.

Basingstoke-based Dogmersfield are through to the Hampshire semi-finals for the first time after beating Penton (93) by nine wickets.