TWO of North Yorkshire’s top cricket teams will clash in a tantalising npower Village Cup quarter-final – with a trip to Lord’s tantalisingly within reach.

Woodhouse Grange will travel to Sessay for the last-eight clash on Sunday, August 1, after both easily came through their second round national matches.

Grange, based at Sutton-on-Derwent, crushed Houghton Main CC by 113 runs, while, Sessay enjoyed an eight-wicket victory at Ackworth.

Sessay won the toss and decided to bowl and were soon on the front foot after Mark Wilkie tore through Ackworth’s openers – taking three wickets in his first four overs.

Ackworth were bowled out for 132 as Matthew Till also claimed four wickets, and Till soon went to work with the bat, hitting ten fours and four sixes in a superb 80 not out.

Grange won the toss and decided to bat against Houghton and they hit 245 in their 40 overs thanks to Andrew Bilton’s maiden century for the first team.

His 116, off 112 balls, included ten fours and three sixes and he was admirably assisted by Mike Burdett (45) and Andrew Anderson (42).

Houghton got off to a good start but once Bilton took a spectacular catch to remove Mo Raza (56 off 47 balls) Grange took command.

Young bowler Christopher Suddaby did the damage with 6-41 from nine overs and is now the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 16 scalps.

Woodhouse Grange have twice won the competition ,in 1995 and 2007, and were also runners-up in 1999 and 2008, while Sessay went to Lord’s in 1976 and enjoyed a semi-final appearance in 1983.

The sides, who both play in the Hunters York and District Senior League premier division have met three times already this season and Grange are yet to triumph.

Sessay took the season opening President’s Challenge Trophy and won the first league match between the pair but Grange had the better of a draw last Saturday.

They meet again, before their npower Village Cup match, in the final of the Senior Charity Cup, at York’s Clifton Park, on July 27.

The winner of the Village Cup clash will move to the semi-finals and just one match away from playing at Lord’s – the headquarters of world cricket.

David Farmer, secretary of Woodhouse Grange, said: “We have a young and inexperienced side but they are taking on the club traditions in this competition. I am not suggesting we are going to go to Lord’s again but it is great to see them progressing so far.

“There is a very good feeling between the two sides and we are really looking forward to a good game.”

Keith Houlston, Sessay secretary, said: “We are expecting a tough game. They are the league champions and results have split pretty evenly. I think the winners of this match have a pretty good chance of taking the whole thing.

“Our team all started off together as juniors and these games are what you play for. We get on very well with Woodhouse Grange and there is a mutual respect between the two sides.”