CHESTER Boughton Hall can secure a televised appearance at the home of Hampshire CCC with victory over old rivals Bootle this Sunday.
A tense afternoon of twenty20 cricket is in prospect at Filkins Lane as Jim Gillson’s men lock horns with the Merseysiders in the North West final of the Cockspur Cup.
The winner will join three other regional champions on September 23 for a national finals day, which will be played at Hampshire’s Rose Bowl ground and screened live on Sky Sports – one day after England take on Pakistan at the same venue.
The prize for the overall national champions is 10 days in Barbados in November.
After a week in which the Pakistan ‘no ball’ betting scandal dragged the sport’s reputation into the gutter, Boughton Hall captain Gillson is promising Chester cricket lovers an afternoon of fun and excitement.
He said: “Everyone at the club is really excited and I’m sure it will be a great day.
“Twenty20 cricket is probably the most attractive form of the game for people who don’t necessarily follow cricket. “There’s the coloured kits, the pink ball and the bars will be open – and I promise there won’t be a dodgy no ball in sight!
“It’s a cracking chance for us to get to play at a first-class ground. It would also give us a chance of winning the trip to Barbados – but I haven’t got the sun cream out just yet!”
Boughton Hall’s Cockspur Cup adventure began when they won the Cheshire County League’s twenty20 competition – the Fred Graham Trophy – last month.
They progressed to the area final at Wood Lane CC, where – cheered on by more than 100 supporters – they accounted for North Wales side Mochdre in the last four before defeating the host club in the final.
Hall chairman Jim Law said: “Sunday promises to be an exciting day for the club. We have an old rivalry with Bootle, who will be as strong as ever.
“Our mixture of youth and experience has taken us this far and we’re really looking forward to a great occasion.”
Boughton Hall and Bootle are old foes. The clubs used to cross swords regularly prior to 1997, before the Chester side left the Liverpool Competition to join the County League.
Sunday’s match promises all the razzmatazz of twenty20 cricket with music, coloured clothes and full spectator facilities. There will be a barbecue and inside and outside bars. Admission is free. The club is open from 11.30am and the match starts at 1.30pm.
