Sessay Cricket Club’s marathon journey to the Scottish outpost of Freuchie ended in success as they secured a place in the last four of the Persimmon National Village Cup.

Batting first, the holders were in trouble at 6-3 following the early dismissal of Mark Wilkie, Matthew Till and Nick Thorne, but wicket-keeper Nick Harrison and Christopher Till put together a stand of 102 for the fourth wicket to help to recover the innings.

And Sessay then pushed on to a total of 170, a target that Freuchie fell well short of as they were bowled out for 123.

Stephen Langstaff and his side will now go on to face Woodhouses CC in the semi-final, just one match away from repeating last year’s appearance at Lord’s.

Langstaff was delighted to see his side through to the last four, especially given the opening exchanges of the match which all went the way of the hosts.

“Upon arrival it was clear it was a low, slow wicket so I knew it was an important toss to win,” said the Sessay skipper. “Unfortunately I lost the loss and we had to bat.

“We were in a spot of bother at 6-3 but Chris (Harrison) and Nick (Till) batted very, very well. It was a bowlers’ wicket really so any batsman that got in was going to be key.”

The efforts of Harrison and Till mean Sessay will travel to Woodhouses CC, in Manchester, for the semi-final. Added Langstaff: “They look like they have been winning all their games comfortably so it is certainly going to be a tough test.

“We are taking one game at a time but, at the same time, at this stage of the competition you are getting excited.

“We would love to go to Lord’s again but we know only one team can win the semi-final so we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Langstaff praised the efforts of 18-year-old Joseph Watson, who picked up 3-14 in his seven overs.

“Joseph bowled fantastically well,” said the Sessay captain.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him. He went to Lord’s last year but he was more of a bit-part player. This year he has been more central and he rose to the occasion in the semi-final.”

Nevertheless it was wicket-keeper Harrison who took home the man-of-the-match award, adding some fine catches behind the stumps to his pivotal knock of 62.

“He batted through the innings and held the innings together so he just edged it,” said Langstaff.

Altogether it was a fine weekend for Sessay, beating Clifton Alliance in the York and District Senior Cricket League the day before their success north of the border.

Langstaff has previously suggested that last year’s Lord’s triumph might be the reason behind this year’s indifferent form in the league but, one fixture away from the home of cricket, it’s a problem you imagine Langstaff would quite like to get the opportunity to rectify next season as they bid to retain the National Village Cup.