Linton chase Lord’s return
In focus
Former winners Linton Park are enjoying another run in the National Village Cup.
Park, who lifted the trophy at Lord’s in 1999, are off to Essex to play Horndon-on-the-Hill on Sunday.
It’s their first foray into the national stages since 2004 and comes courtesy of a dominant nine-wicket success over Sibton Park in the Kent final.
Skipper Mark Christmas, sidelined with a recurrence of last season’s back injury, watched as vice-captain Dan Thirkell led the team to victory.
Christmas said: “I injured my back the game before the Kent Cup final.
“It was annoying, frustrating, after missing the whole of last season.
“I’m not normally a great watcher but this was fantastic to watch.
“This was the fourth time we’ve come up against Sibton Park.
“All the other times we were knocking at the door but we couldn’t quite put it together.
“This was just our time. Sat watching, I was thinking it was one of the most complete games I’ve seen us play.
“We applied pressure and took wickets and when we batted, it never looked like anything other than an easy run-chase.”
Christmas expects to be out for at least a month with his back, so Thirkell will be in charge again this weekend.
Victory would leave Linton four wins from Lord’s.
Christmas said: “The last time we went on a proper run in the competition was in 2004.
“That was my first campaign at Linton and we played Horndon in the first national round.
“Dan and I were in that side, along with Craig Sands, who’s also still playing.
“You can play some tough clubs in your own area but once you get to the national rounds, it’s a complete unknown.
“We feel good about our team this year because we’ve had the same players together for a while now, so all have experience of playing in the cup but it’s still a young team.
“Dan and me are the oldest at 35.”