A DREAM appearance at Lord's is the glittering prize on offer for Cheshire's cricketers at Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday.

The county team heads to Filkins Lane for a Knockout Trophy semi-final against Devon, with the winner earning a mouthwatering trip to the home of cricket for the final.

Four Oulton Park players - Danny Leech, Nathan Dumelow, Chris Bassano and Ben Spendlove - are in Cheshire's 13-man squad for the one-day fixture and they all have an extra incentive to play at Lord's.

The quartet know a win for Cheshire would be a perfect tribute to former Oulton Park chairman Roy Ramsbottom, a respected figure in local cricket who lost his battle with cancer last November.

Roy, of Little Budworth, was a member of the MCC and would regularly be found at Lord's watching cricket.

Leech, who opens the batting for Cheshire, said: 'Roy was a big fan of Lord's and did so much for Cheshire cricket. It would be great if we won there for him, especially for me and the Oulton Park lads. It would mean a lot to u s. '

Cheshire - and Leech - go into the match in superb form.

When they beat Devon in a Minor Counties Championship match at Chester earlier this month, their talented opening batsman crashed a superb 119 in a record 287 stand with county skipper Andy Hall.

Buoyed by that performance, Leech is looking to make his mark again.

He said: 'It would be fantastic to play at Lord's. It's the home of cricket and I'm sure most players want to play there.

'Personally, I've not been involved in a better Cheshire squad. We're looking really strong this season - and we couldn't have asked for a better start.'

As well as starring at county level, Leech also believes Park have a good chance of defending their Premier Division title in the Cheshire County League.

He said: 'I've already learnt so much from playing and being around these guys.

'I've definitely improved and the guys coming to the club have been great. They've brought a fresh perspective to the club - and also to the Cheshire team.'

Play on Sunday starts at noon. The final takes place on August 27.