Sheriff Hutton Bridge powered into the semi-finals of the National Village Knockout competition for the first time in their history with a dominating display over league rivals Sessay.
The Bridge will now entertain Midlands' side Christleton/Exhall & Wixford with a place in the Lord's final the reward for the victors.
Sheriff Hutton Bridge's Moor Farm ground was packed to see the two York Senior League sides lock horns. After winning the toss, Sessay skipper Richard Till chose to bat but then saw his team come up against an inspired Bridge attack.
The influential Matt Till was first to fall, and after four centuries in this year's competition, was caught behind off Mike Sinclair in the second over without scoring.
Bridge then tore the Sessay batting line-up apart. Mike Smith dismissed Chris Till thanks to a superb catch by Steve Crowder at first slip. Soon after, Smith followed up to take the wicket of Nick Harrison, caught behind by wicket keeper Dave Gilbertson.
Wickets tumbled as Steve Crowder took another sensational catch, this time off Sinclair, to send opener John Flintoff back for 14. Spinner Dan Snowball came on to bowl out both Tom Kay and Darren Atkinson, and after skipper Paul Oldfield, with the help of Crowder again, took the wicket of Rich Till, Sessay were left reeling on 39-7.
Sinclair ended his nine-over spell with impressive figures of 2-16, and Snowball a brilliant 2-12 including four maidens.
After a short rain delay, Stuart Peirse and Steve Langstaff battled hard, putting on a valuable 67 for the 8th wicket. Peirse was run out in the final over, but his excellent 45 and Langstaff's unbeaten 19 helped Sessay reach 108-8 off their 40 overs.
In reply, Peirse soon played a part with the ball, taking the wicket of Bridge captain Paul Oldfield early on. Steve Crowder then joined Mike Smith at the crease and the pairs' 66 took the Bridge closer to their target, Smith falling to Matt Till for 32 who took an economical 1-10 off eight overs.
Peirse bowled man of the match Steve Crowder for 44, and then added the wicket of Pete Crowder to finish with figures of 3-31. However Paul Scaling's unbeaten 23 completed an emphatic six-wicket win for the home side with nine-overs to spare, meaning that Sheriff Hutton Bridge are now just one win away from a trip to the home of cricket.
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