Foxton Granta create long-lasting memories with Lord’s victory in Voneus National Village Cup final over Dumbleton

Celebrations went on long into Sunday night after Foxton Granta’s seven-wicket victory in the final of the Voneus National Village Cup at Lord’s.

Opponents Dumbleton – winners of the nationwide competition two years ago – batted first after winning the toss and thanks to an unbeaten century from Charlie Garratt (119 not out), they racked up a score of 240-8 from their 40 overs.

The Foxton Granta reply got off to a stuttering start when Douglas Rice was trapped LBW for a three-ball duck, but the combination of Adam Webster and Richard Kaufman put on a partnership of more than 200 runs to move their side to within touching distance of an historic triumph.

Having scored an 80-ball century Kaufman was eventually dismissed for 110, but opener Webster (97 not out) remained unbeaten throughout and fittingly it was he who smashed the winning runs with a six to spark scenes of celebrations at the home of English cricket.

Captain Lewys Hill said: “It’s difficult to put it all into words – the whole day was incredible.

“As soon as we got to the ground a couple of hours before the game started we were treated like international cricketers.

“It was an amazing experience. To be in the Lord’s pavilion, the go into the Long Room and be in the home dressing room, those are special things.

“Then you’re playing at a ground like Lord’s with some of your best mates and you win in front of your family and friends – it doesn’t get any better than that.

“We’ve all got plenty of pictures and videos from the day. These are memories that we’ll all cherish for a long time.”

Hill, who conceded that he would have also batted first had he won the toss, felt that his side had leaked too many runs towards the back-end of their innings.

Thanks largely to some big hitting from Garratt, Dumbleton added 92 runs during the final 10 overs to move themselves towards 250 runs.

Nevertheless, with batsmen like Webster and Kaufman in their ranks, it was a target that Hill always believed was within reach.

He added: “It did feel like we’d let them get a few too many and I’ll be the first to admit my bowling wasn’t the best, but their batsman batted incredibly.

“It was probably a blessing in disguise that they batted first because it allowed us to see how quick the outfield was and how small the boundary was on one side.

“And then that partnership was fantastic. Webby was the anchor, hitting the bad balls to the boundary and Kauf set out with a game-plan in mind and he executed it brilliantly.

“He actually said to me at the halfway mark after their player had scored his century how good that must have felt for him. It acted as motivation for him and he seemed to relish the chance to match that achievement at a ground like Lord’s.

“Looking down watching it he always seemed to be in control, as did Webby, who went so close to a century as well.”