Yorkshire side Sessay win Village Cup at Lord's

North Yorkshire side Sessay beat Oxfordshire's Shipton-under-Wychwood by seven wickets in the Village Knockout Cup final at Lord's on Sunday.

Andy Hemming top-scored for Shipton with 59 out of his side's 227-5.

But Mark Wilkie hit 78, backed by opening partner Matthew Till's 56 as Sessay reached 228-3.

And John Flintoff, who missed the 1976 final through injury the last time Sessay made it to Lord's, was there at the end to help his side home.

Sessay won the toss, opting to insert a Shipton team chasing a third title in nine seasons and boasting seven of the side that won the competition in 2003.

A combination of a green-tinged wicket and some tight, stifling bowling forced Shipton into a cautious start, scoring at just under three an over in the first 10 overs before openers Hemming and Charlie Brain began a much-needed acceleration.

Hemming and Brain shared a first-wicket partnership of 81, before Brain departed for 33 when he deflected the ball onto his own stumps.

When Hemming departed, having passed 700 runs in this season's competition, big-hitting Jason Hunt then smashed 22 from his first five balls, making 38 as the Oxfordshire side set a very competitive total. Steve Bates remained unbeaten on 46.

In reply, Wilkie and Till then put on 127 for the first wicket.

Man of the match Wilkie went sweeping, but Nick Thorne continued the good work with 42 as Sessay lifted the Village Cup for the first time.

And it was fitting that 55-year-old Flintoff was there at the end when his partner Nick Harrison stroked the winning four to send the Yorkshire contingent wild.