THE countdown is starting for Liphook & Ripsley’s dream appearance at Lord’s in the final of the Cricketer Village Cup on Sunday week (Sept 16).

Liphook, captained by Charles Janczur, will face Yorkshire side Folkton & Flixton, both sides having fought their way through eight rounds to reach the final at the home of cricket.

In only their second season in the competition, Liphook saw off opponents from Hampshire, Oxford, Berkshire, and Somerset before defeating Sussex club Mayfield in the semi-finals last month.

“All the boys are very excited, as you can imagine,” said skipper Janczur. “We finally have a full side available which is a nice change, so Grant Rouse who missed the quarter and semi comes back in to make a full-strength squad. We will take 13 players to the game on the day. I have ten confirmed and one place left to be decided.”

Liphook’s march to Lord’s has attracted much interest, both in the village and beyond. “People who have shown no interest in cricket before are suddenly eager to come and support us, which is really exciting,” said Janczur. “I would estimate that anywhere from 300 to 500 will be with us on the day, with players from local clubs there as well.”

With (in theory) easy access to London by train, supporters will be making their own way to Lord’s. The players will go by coach on Saturday to have a team meal and stay overnight before travelling to the ground early in the morning.

Liphook’s relegation to the SPL Division Two is a bitter pill for the players to swallow, but it will be ample compensation if they can beat the tough Yorkshiremen at Lord’s.

“Relegation was definitely justified,” said Charles Janczur. “We have only performed a couple of times to our standards and only delivered a true team performance when we beat the champions Bournemouth away.

“We have just not been able to replicate the Village Cup intensity, which has been frustrating. But we’ll come back refreshed next season, looking to win the league and bounce straight back as we won’t be losing any of our players.”

• Scarborough-based Folkton & Flixton, faced with a much longer trek to the capital, are appealing to local businesses to come up with £8,000 to cover the costs of their trip.

• An under-strength Liphook lost to Portsmouth in their final league game. The home side amassed 243-5, with opener James Christian making 84. Rob Nicklin hit 67 in reply, but Liphook were dismissed for 174.