The Cricketer Village Cup 2020: Tournament preview

After months of waiting, the 49th edition of the grassroots tournament begins this weekend

Earlier this summer, there were doubts over whether this year’s Village Cup would take place. But after weeks of work behind the scenes and the announcement of recreational cricket’s return, the competition begins this weekend and rounds will be played weekly ahead of the final.

While some clubs have withdrawn with the blessing of the organisers due to the impact Covid-19 has had on the summer, fixtures are taking place in 19 of the 32 regions on July 26, including the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire group, where there is an interesting opening fixture.

Although they are not able to play their 1st XI due to rules on premier league clubs, defending champions Reed are still hoping to compete. They host Redbourn, who have never participated in the competition but will be confident having secured consecutive league promotions in the last two seasons.

In Yorkshire, the team who Reed defeated in last year’s final, Houghton Main, will be looking to go one step further in 2020. They begin their campaign with the visit of Crossflatts, who they defeated in last year’s regional final.

“We had a really good time playing against them last year,” says Simon Ward, Houghton Main’s wicketkeeper. “The spectators from both clubs enjoyed it too. It won’t be all smooth sailing this year though as we have lost both Imran Khan and Biswick Kapala [the competition’s two leading wicket-takers in 2019] to premier league clubs, so we no longer have the same bowling attack.

“However, some of last year’s signings are now able to play, so we are hoping we can have a decent crack at it again. We travel to Cleethorpes on Saturday and were hoping to have a decent night out after! But that’s been knocked on the head now and we have two big games this weekend.”

Another club who will be up for it is Sessay. The two-time winners can play their 1st XI again after their relegation from the Yorkshire premier leagues and are among the favourites. But their opponents Sutton-on-Hull are no slouches having finished fourth in North Yorkshire’s fourth tier last summer.

There is an interesting tie in the Cambridgeshire & Norfolk group as Worlington, on loan from the Essex & Suffolk region this year, travel to Milton. Worlington are famed for their firepower and have scored more than 400 on numerous occasions.

Mayfield will also be strong as they face a tough away trip to Buxted Park. The hosts recorded wins over Laughton and Hadlow Down last year and will be keen to get another victory under their belt. But Mayfield, who made it all the way to the semi-finals in 2018, will have a point to prove as they return to full strength following relegation in 2019 from the Sussex premier league.

In Cheshire & Clwyd, former champions Caldy would love to become three-time winners this summer. But they have a difficult opening match at Pontblyddyn, who have just been relegated from the premier league. Yet Caldy are not too concerned and are just happy to be back playing cricket.

“We’re a young squad who haven’t changed much from last season,” says Caldy’s Harry Daniel-Jones. “We’ve had a few T20 friendlies, some players have come back in good nick and some are still waiting for a few things in their game to click. We don’t know much about the opposition, but they did very well a few years ago so it should be a good game. We’re just looking forward to playing again in the Village Cup.”

The Cricketer would like to thank our sponsors Pipers Crisps, ExtraCover Insurance, Bola and Lord’s Taverners for their continuous support throughout this challenging period.

Keep up to date with The Cricketer Village Cup by following the competition on Twitter (@TheCricketerNVC) and Instagram (@villagecup)

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