DUMBLETON Cricket Club players are gearing up for their Persimmon National Village Knock-Out Cup semi-final clash at Brighton-based Rottingdean on Sunday (1pm).
Rottingdean have been told to treat the biggest game in their history like a cup final.
Henry Ledden’s side entertain Dumbleton in the semi-final of the Persimmon National Village Cup on Sunday.
The prize for the winners is a place in the final at Lord’s.
Only two Sussex sides have reached the final of this prestigious competition, Findon in 2007 and Glynde two years later.
Joe Adams was man-of-the-match when Glynde won the trophy.
He said: “When you play in the semi-final, it is really the final because the chance to play at Lord’s is the real prize.
“It is nice to win at Lord’s but just to play there is what it is all about.
“Rottingdean have got to treat it like that.
“The semi-final is hard but they have just got to do whatever they have been doing so far in the competition. They have got to carry on in the same fashion and don’t get too bogged down or too engrossed in what could happen.
“Findon and ourselves have got to the final before. If Rottingdean could get there it would be great for the county.
“They have got some good players who should be playing at a higher level. The Leddens are good, experienced players and they have others too.”
Rottingdean have produced some excellent cricket to reach the last four stage in what is only their second season in the Village Cup.
Their performances have been in stark contrast to their troubles in the league where they find themselves battling against relegation from East Sussex League division one.
Like Rottingdean, Dumbleton are second from bottom in the West of England Premier League Gloucestershire and Wiltshire division.
Ledden, who will line-up alongside brother George, is trying not to think too much about the Gloucestershire outfit.
He said: “We have approached each game exactly the same way in this cup this season. We have just been concentrating on finding our form and preparing well – and we have done all right so far.
“We know it will get harder and harder. I have spoken to a few people who have played Dumbleton and they said they are a good team.
“In a 40-over game it only takes a couple of wickets or a couple of good overs from batters and the game is turned on its head.
“We know we have got to treat this as a final, regardless of the rewards that are at stake.
“There are enough good players in the side to cope with the pressure. We have not choked yet in the games we have played. There are times when we haven’t scored as many runs as we wanted or haven’t bowled as well as we wanted to but that has not been about the occasion.”
Apart from James Grantham, who is out for the season with torn ankle ligaments, Rottingdean have a full quota to choose from.
Their squad includes a nice mixture of experience, such as Mark Smith who has played for them for more than 20 years, and good young players who have come through the colts system, like the Leddens.
Skipper Henry, whose father played for the club for many years and still helps out, knows what this game means.
He said: “We won the East Sussex League’s Intersport Cup about four years ago and that was great. But in terms of exposure for the club and the area this is easily the biggest day in our history.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here