Liphook & Ripsley are rank underdogs going into tomorrow’s National Village Cup semi-final tie in East Sussex – but that’s possibly how they would prefer it !
Battling against relegation in second from bottom place in Southern Premier League Division 1, they face a Mayfield side that currently tops the Sussex League Division 2 (the feeder division into the ECB Premier) and is vying for the title with Three Bridges.
Mayfield have been dubbed as favourites to lift the trophy itself at Lord’s on September 16.
Liphook haven’t won an PSPL match in six weeks, but it’s been a different story on Sundays with a series of notable scalps taken in the NVC, including Cookham Dean (Thames Valley League), Oxford Downs (Cherwell League) and North Perrott (WOEPL Somerset), all three leaders of their respective leagues.
Grant Rouse, who gets married today, misses the trip to Mayfield, who boast arguably the best club ground in Sussex, where Liphook will be cheered on by a coach load of supporters, who are leaving Petersfield at breakfast-time. Harry Munt will probably don the gloves.
Otherwise, Liphook will be at full strength: Ryan Covey, Rob Nicklin, Harry Munt, Suman Ganguly, George Neave, Ric Williams, Jonny Pryce, Jamie Hall, Sean Burton, Charles Janczur, Dave Elliot.
Liphook haven’t been short on advice ahead of the tie as Mayfield knocked out Rowledge in the sixth round and the phone wires have been hot between the two clubs.
The other semi-final takes place in the East Midlands, where Coventry based Fillongley host Folkton & Flixton, from North Yorkshire.
* You can watch the Mayfield-Liphook & Ripsley semi-final, which is being streamed lives on www.mayfieldcricketclub.co.uk
* For supporters going to the match, Mayfield (south of Tunbridge Wells) is roughly a two-hour drive. Ground is Wellbrook Ground, Wellbrook, Mayfield TN20 6EA. [01435 872749]
Battling against relegation in second from bottom place in Southern Premier League Division 1, they face a Mayfield side that currently tops the Sussex League Division 2 (the feeder division into the ECB Premier) and is vying for the title with Three Bridges.
Mayfield have been dubbed as favourites to lift the trophy itself at Lord’s on September 16.
Liphook haven’t won an PSPL match in six weeks, but it’s been a different story on Sundays with a series of notable scalps taken in the NVC, including Cookham Dean (Thames Valley League), Oxford Downs (Cherwell League) and North Perrott (WOEPL Somerset), all three leaders of their respective leagues.
Grant Rouse, who gets married today, misses the trip to Mayfield, who boast arguably the best club ground in Sussex, where Liphook will be cheered on by a coach load of supporters, who are leaving Petersfield at breakfast-time. Harry Munt will probably don the gloves.
Otherwise, Liphook will be at full strength: Ryan Covey, Rob Nicklin, Harry Munt, Suman Ganguly, George Neave, Ric Williams, Jonny Pryce, Jamie Hall, Sean Burton, Charles Janczur, Dave Elliot.
Liphook haven’t been short on advice ahead of the tie as Mayfield knocked out Rowledge in the sixth round and the phone wires have been hot between the two clubs.
The other semi-final takes place in the East Midlands, where Coventry based Fillongley host Folkton & Flixton, from North Yorkshire.
* You can watch the Mayfield-Liphook & Ripsley semi-final, which is being streamed lives on www.mayfieldcricketclub.co.uk
* For supporters going to the match, Mayfield (south of Tunbridge Wells) is roughly a two-hour drive. Ground is Wellbrook Ground, Wellbrook, Mayfield TN20 6EA. [01435 872749]