Local pair make national cup finals
by Alan Rowley, 28th June 2005

The East Midlands are represented by two clubs in national cup competitions this summer. Nottinghamshire Premier League outfit Caythorpe represent the region in the Cockspur Cup, while Lullington Park, from the Derbyshire County League, have fought their way to the national rounds of the Village Cup.

Caythorpe won their Yorkshire Area final against a strong Doncaster Town side to reach the last sixteen. In a thrilling encounter in front of a large crowd, Caythorpe batted first and racked up a decent looking 237 for 6 thanks to Sam Ogrizovic's 53.

Billy Wright and James Hawley got the Notts side off to a fine start, putting on 75 in the first 12 overs after the visitors had asked them to bat. Experienced Graeme Archer and Ogrizovic took the score to 118 before Archer was caught on the boundary. Jimmy Hindson added 21 valuable runs before he was run out and Ogrizovic suffered the same fate shortly afterwards. James Hartley added a rapid 34 from only 14 balls to steer Caythorpe to 237 for 6 from their 45 overs.

Doncaster openers Andrew Rennison and Graham Attenborough set off like an express train putting on 75 in only 12 overs. The introduction of spinners Hindson and P K Riley slowed the run rate and the visitors lost four wickets for only 17 runs. Simon Widdup and Gareth Dawson added 50 for the sixth wicket but Billy Wright stepped up to remove the tail and finish with figures of 4 for 18 to cap a fine all round display.

Doncaster finished 43 runs short to leave Caythorpe with a home tie against Ormskirk of the Liverpool League on Sunday July 10th. The final of the competition is at Lord's on Tuesday 23rd August.

Lullington Park entered the national finals of the npower sponsored Village Cup thanks to a six wicket victory over Birch Vale and Thornsett from the Cheshire and Derbyshire League. Birch Vale batted first and accumulated 161 runs from their 40 overs, Paul Dawson the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 36.

Despite losing two early wickets, Lullington cruised to the target with 15 year old Tom Poynton scoring 42 and young brothers Joe and Sam Eaton scoring 39 and 21 respectively.

Lullington's prize is a visit to Weekley Walton from Northamptonshire this Sunday (3rd). This year's final will again be held at Lord's on Sunday August 28th.