Foxton dreaming of another National Village Cup run to Lord’s after opening-round win

Matt Gray’s side, who valiantly lost to Woodhouse Grange in last year’s Village Cup finale at the home of cricket in September, made short work of Hardwick & Caldecote in round two, winning by seven wickets.

Despite losing the toss and being forced to bowl first, Adrian Cambridge (3-43) and George Dean (2-28) did the damage with the ball to eradicate their hosts for just 175.

Opener Adam Webster then starred with the bat, unlucky not to make a century as he fell on his sword at 98, removed by Joshua Jordan.

Last season’s hero Cei Sanderson was also among the runs as he provided a solid 44.

Christie Jones (12) and Paul Dean (16*) then steered them home and Gray was happy to have negotiated the “banana skin”.

Gray told the Crow: “It would have been easy to be complacent because of how well we did last year but we knew they had a couple of lads who had played at a high level so they could easily have beaten us.

“We were a few men short due to holidays and other commitments but it was a banana skin that we’ve overcome really well.

“The lads at the top end, [Adam] Webster and Cei [Sanderson] just batted so well.

“If we had gone four wickets down, I think Hardwick would have fancied it because we were understrength down the order but luckily the top lads got us home.”

Next up for Foxton are Norfolk side Hethersett and Tas Valley at home a week on Sunday (May 29) in the semi-finals of the Cambridgeshire & Norfolk group, a team that the Foxes know pretty well.

He continued: “We have played them twice and won twice but they’re a good team.

“We beat them in the first round of last year’s competition but they gave us a good game.

“We eventually came out as comfortable winners but they have some decent lads down there so we won’t take anything for granted again.”

He added: “Hopefully we can get on a bit of a run again.

“It would be good to get out of the area and then see if we can pull off some great wins on the road.”