LINTON PARK AWAIT FINDON

TWO-TIME National Village Cup champions Linton Park, who play three miles from Maidstone in Kent, await Findon on Sunday in the National quarter-finals. Linton won the competition in 1978 against Toft of Cheshire by four wickets, and by 20 runs against South Yorkshire based team Woodhouse Grange as recently as 1999.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jul 2004, 12:55 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:10 BST

Linton opening batsman Nigel Thirkwell played in both successes and along with his son Dan, a dangerous number 3, and opening bowler, form an integral part of the side.

Their progress to the quarter-finals has been nothing short of impressive. Batting first, which is how Findon like to play as well, they have scored 299-3 (v Bells Yew Green), 236-5 (v New Ifield), 258-4 (v Shipbourne), and 239-7 (v Hurndon). In the last 16, they defeated Rowledge by five wickets, chasing 158 to win.

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Their captain is Dave Castle, who has scored two hundreds so far in this year's competition. He smashed 151 from just 111 balls against Bells Yew Green.

However, it is unlikely that they have yet faced a bowling attack which can contain batsmen as well as Findon's has this year.

Linton have scored over 200 four times, while Findon are yet to concede a score above that total. The most a team has managed against them was Clymping's 194-9 when they needed 210 to win.

Both teams are used to winning. Findon are Sussex Invitation League champions and lead the way again this season, while Linton are Kent Invicta champions and are also top.

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Both teams will also face tricky 'warm-up' games on Saturday. Linton host their title rivals Holingbourne, while Findon entertain Southwick '” the team they have just dislodged from the top of the table.

Linton opening bowler 6ft 5in Matt Large, who is in his early 40s, had a heart by-pass operation last year and hardly played any cricket last season, but has won his place back in the side with some impressive performances.

Findon captain Nigel Waller is looking forward to the clash and said: "We know nothing about them, and they know nothing about us, and that's the way it has been all year for us. I prefer it that way."

Findon will be meeting at 10am for the 2pm start, and will be travelling by mini-bus and cars again for the journey, something which may have to change should Findon get through. They will face a trip to either Cornwall or Wales. The team will stop for lunch on the way to the game, then at the ground, some of the players will practise while others will do their own thing.

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Linton had a crowd of over 100 for their last-16 home tie, and around 200 will be anticipated for Findon at their picturesque ground, where runs are easy to find on a large outfield.

Findon squad: Nigel Waller (capt), Steve Waller, Graham Waller, Toby Kingsbury, Nick Gifford, John Rogers, John Cox, Mark Stewart, James Iago, Paul O'Sullivan, Andy Vickerstaff, Mark Higgins, Chris Smith

Related topics:Kent