PEPPARD Stoke Row’s Lord’s dream was ended as they were thumped by nine wickets at Cookham Dean in the final of the Berkshire section of the National Village Cup on Sunday.

The visitors won the toss but made a poor start as David Williams was brilliantly caught behind by Rob Mettler off the bowling of Richard Lucas (2-17 from five overs) and George Lee was bowled by Chris Nunn (2-20 off six) to leave them 7-2.

Andy Watts and Dan Hayden tried to stem the tide, but the latter was quite magnificently caught by Sim Mangat at backward point for 14 as Cookham – top of the Thames Valley League and a side who made the quarter finals two years ago – showed their class.

Ash Hayden and Watts were the next to go – bowled by Nunn and Simon Foster respectively – before Olly Nicholson, who struck two fine maximums in his knock of 28, feathered an edge behind to give Sohil Mangat a wicket.

Rich Ashton was knocked over by Foster (2-15 off eight overs) and Alfie Clifton was bowled by Sim Mangat as PSR’s demise continued, and while Max Baker-Smith (24) counter-attacked to some degree, he was bowled by leg spinner Greg Davis.

Number 11 Dion Sampson hit his first ball straight back over Davis’ head, and combined with Michael Chard the last wicket provided some entertainment, but eventually PSR were bowled out for 129.

Cookham made light work of the target, with the visitors’ sole success the dismissal of Ben Millar (27), the Dean captain yorked by a decent delivery from Clifton which gave PSR the slightest opening.

This, however, was quickly yanked away as Kurran Mangat (55no at a run-a-ball) and Mark Lowden (28no from 24 balls) asserted their class and took Cookham Dean into the national stages of the competition for the fourth time in five years.

They next travel to the winners of the Hampshire section – Liphook and Ripsley – before a potential home game against the winners of the clash between Oxfordshire champions Oxford Downs and Gwent and Glamorgan victors Miskin Manor.