Dinton Cricket Club eased through to the national rounds of the Davidstow Village Cup with a thumping win over Castlethorpe CC in the Bucks regional final.
Having been named regional champions, Dinton are now within four rounds of playing in the prestigious final at Lord’s, where the winner will be crowned the best village cricket team in the country.
Winning the toss and batting first, Dinton put their opponents from Milton Keynes to the sword as an outstanding second-wicket partnership between Ashley Smith and Alister Gibbins ran the fielders ragged.
Ashley went on to make his first score of 150 while Alister departed for a brutal 103. Other notable contributions by Henry Woodward and Mark Ludlow enabled Dinton to amass an incredible total of 339-3 in their 40 overs.
The visitors faced a huge challenge in reply, and their hopes took a further blow when Tim Brooker struck in his first over before 16-year-old Jack Thorn took over and showed his great potential by taking four top-order wickets as he notched his best bowling figures in first team cricket in an excellent opening spell.
Fifteen-year-old Will Fisher also chipped in with a couple of wickets as did the veteran Neil Davies as Castlethorpe were dismissed for just 50 to give Dinton a resounding 289-run victory.
The next round is the first national round – the last 32 in the country. Dinton have been drawn at home with the game to be played on Sunday, June 22, starting at 1pm. The club had great support on their way to the semi-finals last year and are hoping to see as many supporters for this year’s effort.
Now into its 42nd year, 320 clubs entered this year’s knockout competition from as far as Methlick in Scotland to Ludgvan in Penzance, all vying for the chance to play at the home of cricket. The two finalists will also be accommodated in the same hotel used by the England team and provided with cup final suits.