WOODHOUSE GRANGE stalwart Steve Burdett confessed he couldn't bear to watch even as his team were cruising to victory in the Davidstow Village Cup final against Great and Little Tew.

The Sutton-on-Derwent outfit's club captain resorted to pacing round the rooms at Lord's while Andrew Bilton and Nick Hadfield made light work of the Oxfordshire side's bowling in a ten wicket victory.

Burdett was part of a Grange bowling attack that destroyed the Tew line-up, dismissing them for just 114, and the opener recorded figures of 2-13 from his six overs.

He made the most of a strange decision by opposing skipper Andy Harris to bat on a green wicket, under cloudy conditions, after winning the toss and the veteran player believes Woodhouse's dominance was forged by some stellar deliveries after that choice was made.

"The first half was crucial," he said. "Everybody bowled the ball in the right areas. There were very few out-and-out poor balls. We put them under pressure and continued that pressure all the way through the innings. To restrict a team to only 114 is huge.

"For Nick (Hadfield) and Andrew (Bilton) to then come out and perform as they did - to put on a 100 partnership and for Andrew to get a 50 - was one of a lot of things that was hugely positive.

"I think it goes to prove how we have developed as a side and it is great to see all these young lads putting in the time and effort and getting the rewards for it."

He continued: "It was a surprise they chose to bat with overhead conditions at Lord's, an early start and a little bit of dew. They had their reasons why they chose to do so but, from our point of view, we lost the toss and you have just got to get on. We strangled them and made it difficult to score.

"I have been fortunate to play at Lord's a few times. While I wouldn't say I have struggled, I have never been happy with my performance. On Sunday, I put the ball in the right areas. I think that's credit to young Dave Suddaby, who put pressure on them. To pick up two wickets and to keep on restricting them, I was pleased, but there were six bowlers and everyone got a wicket.

"That shows great depth."

On his aversion to witnessing the Woodhouse reply, Burdett said: "I am a terrible watcher. I was walking around the back room. I didn't watch an awful lot. When we got to around 70 that was when I started to look and think we were getting close but I have played the game long enough to know that, despite the small total, you are never over the line until you are."