Lord's starts to come into view as National Village Cup reaches regional finals stage

THOMAS BLOW looks at the best ties from the next round of The Cricketer Village Cup

The Cricketer Village Cup regional finals take place this weekend, with 64 teams vying it out for a place in the nationals.

One team desperate to reach the next stage is defending champions Folkton & Flixton, who have a home tie against Cayton. The 2018 winners have looked dominant so far, recording a 10-wicket victory over Heslerton and hammering Ebberston by 211 runs.

In Glamorgan & Gwent, Miskin Manor host 2001 champions Ynystawe. The visitors will be favourites for this clash as they have already beaten Sully Centurions by 10 wickets. However, Miskin Manor will be up for the challenge after they beat Tondu on virtue of fewer wickets lost.

Two of the tournament's best – two-time champions Linton Park and a clinical Borstal team – will battle it out for a place in the nationals. Competing in a strong Kent group, both sides have eased to victory in their first three matches.

Crossflatts will be fearful as they welcome 2006 winners Houghton Main. The visitors have been in ominous form this year, bowling out Great Preston for 55 and Frickley Colliery for just 53. However, Crossflatts did score 213 for 8 in the last round, so they’ll be anticipating a much harder game.

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The Oxfordshire final will be contested between 1995 runners-up Tiddington – who have already recorded three wins in this year’s tournament – and Cunmor, who impressively scored 250 for 0 in the first round.

Two-time champions Goatacre welcome Burbage & Easton Royal in Dorset & Wilts. The hosts are yet to be challenged in this year’s tournament, recording a 10-victory over Beehive & Southwick and 134-run win against Redlynch & Hale. Yet the visitors have also been impressive – bowling out Aldbourne for just 36 in the second round.

In Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, Reed will be looking to continue their bid for a third national title when they host Preston. Both teams have looked impressive in 2019, but Reed, having scored 313 for 3 in the third round, will be favourites.

Worlington will be keen to beat Woodham Mortimer as they look to rectify last year’s quarter-final defeat. The big-hitting side have already posted scores of 404 for 3 and 310 for 5 this year. However, Woodham Mortimer do have an attack that bowled out East Bergholt for just 82.

The East Sussex final sees 2011 runners-up Rottingdean welcome 2009 champions Glynde & Beddingham. The hosts will be fearful of the visitors after they beat Plumpton & East Chiltington by 263 runs in the last round.

Finally, last year’s runners-up Liphook & Ripsley travel to Sarisbury Athletic in a bid to progress from a competitive Hampshire group. Although the visitors have convincingly won all three games this year, so have Sarisbury. The winners of this tie will be in strong position heading into the nationals.

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