Smith: We will be giving it 120%
by Alan Rowley, 6th September 2004

Ockbrook and Borrowash skipper Trevor Smith is fully confident that all his players will be giving 120% in their Lord's encounter with Leicestershire side Kibworth in the Cockspur Cup final. Smith was speaking before the players and officials left for headquarters to prepare for the biggest day in the club's history.

The party left Victoria Avenue at Monday lunchtime for a hotel stay in the capital and a pre-match meal arranged by the sponsors. As recent Lord's visitors from the county, Elvaston and Sandiacre Town, will testify, the players, officials and supporters are in for an unforgettable experience.

Smith (pictured) told 'the follow on': "I'm just hoping the day will be awesome. It's a great effort for us to get there, but the original idea for entering was for a good early season game. We didn't really start thinking of Lord's till we got to the later stages. Everyone is really excited about the whole 'experience', and it has been very difficult to try and keep them focused on the league games."

Smith continued: "I'm hoping that everyone will do themselves justice. I don't want anyone to leave disappointed because they feel they could have done better."

Smith said that he didn't know much about his Leicestershire rivals, but he acknowledged that they must be a "pretty good side" otherwise they would not be in the final. He said: "I've seen a few scorecards and I recognise a few names".

With the Indian summer setting in, it looks like it could be a great day weatherwise on Tuesday. The whole of Derbyshire cricket will be hoping that it will be a great day for club cricket in the county, following Sandiacre's victory in 2003 and Elvaston's recent Village Cup exploits. Smith said: "The hard work has been done by getting there. So now i just hope everyone, including all supporters and officals of the club, have a great day."

If you can't make it to the game, 'the follow on' and the official League website will be giving full coverage direct from the famous Media Centre at Lord's. Log on to 'the follow on' on Tuesday morning and navigate to the Sting In The Tail forum for full details of match coverage.