Underdogs Sessay aim to oust National Village Cup holders Cleator

The Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League division one side host the Cumbrian side in the last 32 in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final.

This season’s form bodes well for Sessay captain Stephen Langstaff and his team as they have won three out of a possible five so far.

Langstaff said: “Cleator are a well organised side and we know that we will be up against it on Sunday.

“We start as underdogs but we are building momentum this season and the boys will go out with no fear.”

Having lost to Cleator by eight wickets in the last eight last year, the prize of a return to Lord’s is a huge incentive for 2010 winners Sessay.

Despite the honour of a potential Lord’s outing later in the year, Langstaff admitted the club’s main focus remains the league.

He said: “The focus has been and will remain to be aimed at the league and any positive result that happens in the cup is a bonus.

Cleator are widely recognised as a tough outfit, with a strong all-round bowling attack, but home advantage could be crucial for the North Yorkshire side.

Langstaff said: “Yes, they have a strong attack and are a well drilled side, but our home wicket and surroundings is a massive bonus.”

Sessay will be at full strength, subject to injuries in tomorrow’s league game against Folkton & Flixton, and Langstaff said it was important to keep their good form going.

The Main Street side’s captain said: “If we win tomorrow, we can just hope that we will still be in the cup at the end of Sunday too.”

Meanwhile, Sutton-on-Derwent-based Woodhouse Grange travel to Central Yorkshire League side Oulton, based between Wakefield and Leeds, at the same stage of the competition, also on Sunday (1pm).

York & District Senior League premier division champions Grange, five times Lord’s finalists and winners in 1995 and 2007, have beaten top flight rivals Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Studley Royal en route to the last 32.