Dumbleton are going back to Lord’s after reaching the final of the National Village Cup with a thumping seven-wicket win over Woodhouses yesterday.

The South Lancashire side were restricted to 156-9 in their 40 overs and the home side knocked off the runs with almost 50 balls to spare.

Adam Stuart was unbeaten on 51 while skipper Ross Martin hit a run-a-ball 42. Stuart and Charlie Garratt (37 not) put on 86 to steer their side home.

Martin had a fine all-round game because he had earlier taken 3-13 from his eight overs while new-ball partner Ollie Horne claimed 3-19.

Dumbleton will now play Cambridgeshire’s Foxton Granta in the final after their narrow eight-run win at Cornish side Grampound Road.

And the West of England Premier League Premier 2 Glos/Wilts high-fliers will certainly head to the home of cricket next month in confident mood because it was only two years ago that they last played at the ground in the National Village Cup final.

And their supporters won’t need reminding that it was a very special day as they thumped Calmore Sports Club by 85 runs.

“It was one of the best days out you could possibly imagine,” said chairman David Smith. “The cricketing gods were smiling on us that day.”

This year’s final will take place on Sunday 15^th September.

Meanwhile, Dumbleton’s overseas cricketer Tom Kelly, who is ineligible for the National Village Cup, played his final game of the season for the club on Saturday and he signed off in style as he hit an unbeaten 140 in his side’s seven-wicket win over Hatherley and Reddings, a win that cements their position in second spot in Premier 2 Glos/Wilts.