{"id":882124,"date":"2026-09-06T13:20:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T13:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/882124\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T13:20:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T13:20:20","slug":"village-cricket-club-set-for-lords-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/882124\/","title":{"rendered":"Village cricket club set for Lord’s showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

“You dream of being a professional cricketer for England, but this is second only to that,” says Captain Richard Bostock.<\/p>\n

A village cricket club in Cuckney, Nottinghamshire, is playing its first-ever Cawston Press Village Cup Final at Lord’s on Sunday, when they will face four-time winners Blackheath from Surrey.<\/p>\n

It will be the second time in three years that Cuckney has had a team playing at Lord’s, following the First XI’s National Club Championship triumph in 2023.<\/p>\n

Bostock added: “It’s a club you’ve put your life into.”<\/p>\n

Cuckney Cricket Club’s Second XI reached the final after beating Yorkshire side Woodhouse Grange by nine runs in a dramatic semi-final.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Lord’s has hosted the Cawston Press Village Cup Final every year since its inception in 1972 [Getty Images]<\/p>\n

Bostock knows what it feels like to walk out at Lord’s.<\/p>\n

He was part of Cuckney’s National Club Championship-winning side in 2023 and says returning to the famous ground with his teammates will be a special moment.<\/p>\n

“You’ve got all your mates here, all your families here, and to walk out side by side with them is amazing,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I want everybody to enjoy the experience.<\/p>\n

“Take the photos, enjoy the moment, because it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”<\/p>\n

Opening bowler and coach Oliver Wilson, who has been involved with the club for more than 25 years, says sharing the occasion with lifelong friends makes it even more meaningful.<\/p>\n

“Lord’s is an iconic venue in world cricket,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I’ve been lucky enough to watch England there, but to go back and be part of it as a player is really special.<\/p>\n

“To experience it alongside some of my best friends, after more than 25 years at the club, makes it even more special.<\/p>\n

“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often, so we have to grab it with both hands.<\/p>\n

“We’ve got some young lads coming through who are about to experience something they’ve only dreamed about.<\/p>\n

“It’ll be a fantastic day for the club, and I know we’ll have plenty of travelling supporters behind us. I can’t wait.”<\/p>\n

The club have put on coach travel for fans, with more than 150 expected to make the journey to what is considered among devotees as the “home of cricket”.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Cuckney Cricket Club will be playing at Lord’s for the second time in their 129 year history [BBC]<\/p>\n

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, or on Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or via WhatsApp<\/a> on 0808 100 2210.<\/p>\n

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