Horspath open Village Cup quest at Cookham Dean

HORSPATH face a new challenge in The Cricketer Village Cup after being placed in the Berkshire group with a first-round tie at Cookham Dean this Sunday.

The Cricketer have organised the Village
Cup since its inception in 1972

Traditionally sides battle it out to become champions of their home county before going on to national rounds. But with the tournament suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the government only allowing recreational cricket to resume earlier this month, the groups have been redrawn.

Nine Oxfordshire clubs entered, and so one has been moved over to the Berkshire group - which was short on numbers - and that just happened to be Horspath. The winners of Cookham Dean and Horspath will be at home on August 2 to Peppard Stoke Row, who have a bye into round two - effectively the Berkshire semi-final. In the other half of the draw, Wraysbury entertain Pinkneys Green in the last four after both were handed first-round byes.

The rearranged tournament will stick to its original 40-over format, with rounds taking place each Sunday until the final, which is scheduled for September 13 at a venue to be confirmed. Visit www.nationalvillagecup.com for updates on the tournament over the summer and follow @TheCricketerNVC on Twitter and @VillageCup on Instagram.

BERKSHIRE GROUP

1st round (July 26): Cookham Dean v Horspath. Byes: Peppard Stoke Row, Wraysbury, Pinkneys Green.
2nd round (Aug 1): Cookham Dean or Horspath v Peppard Stoke Row, Wraysbury v Pinkneys Green.

OXFORDSHIRE GROUP

Langford v Eynsham, Horley v Shipton-under-Wychwood, Cumnor v Oxford Downs, Tiddington v Great & Little Tew.

Posted by: Russ