大象传媒

The finishing touches are being added at Sandiacre's home ground on Longmoor Lane to ensure everything is in place for the clash on Sunday. Volunteers from the club who have been cleaning the windows described the occasion as "the biggest day in the history of the club."

The club reached and won the final of the same competition in 2003 but the semi-final was played away in that run. Off the field the members are pulling together to get all the work done, programmes are being printed and extra bars and catering outlets are having to be brought in with as many as 600 spectators expected.

Things are going well on the pitch as well as a calm John Trueman, Sandiacre's captain assured me that he had a full squad to choose from for the contest and would be able to field his strongest eleven.

Some last-minute practice

One player, fast bowler Kevin Newbold is going the extra mile to make himself available for the match. He is currently on a family holiday in Majorca but is flying back on Sunday morning to play in the match before returning for the last week of his break with the intention being back by the pool in time for lunch on Monday. First team coach Bob Hobley explained that the whole team wanted Kevin back to play in the fixture and as such were all chipping in along with the club to cover his airfare.

Already Sandiacre have had some tight finishes in their cup run. None closer than in the last round when they needed two runs to win off the last ball or one to tie which would have sent them through as they had lost fewer wickets than their hosts, Chester-le-Street. The travelling supporter's hearts were in the mouths when the batsmen failed to score a run from the final ball, a few seconds later though they were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief as the umpire called wide-ball prompting huge celebrations.

Trueman recognises that his opponents on Sunday will be strong as they were losing finalists last year and have a couple of ex-professionals within their ranks. He wants his team to focus on their own performance though rather than concerning themselves with the make up of the Kibworth side.

Only three of the victorious 2003 side remain in the present team. Trueman himself won man-of-the-match that day. Opening bowler John Jordison also played at Lords along with Rob Atwood. For the remaining eight players Sunday presents an opportunity to play at the home of cricket for the first time.

Preparing the wicket at Sandiacre

There is a lot to play for on Sunday, not only do the winners earn a chance to play in the final but they will also bag a trip to Barbados courtesy of the the competition sponsors. Trueman admits that these "big carrots" will have entered the players minds but is confident that come 1pm Sunday his team will be focused on the task in hand.

The match itself promises to be highly entertaining with both sides containg high quality cricketers. James Chapman, formerly contracted to Derbyshire and Achil Patel, brother of Samit and a Derbyshire second team player in his own right will be representing the home side whist ex-Hampshire player Simon Renshaw plays for Kibworth.

The gates will open at 11am for a 1pm start. The club have been helped by Balfour Beatty who are allowing visitors to use their secure parking off Station Road, just over five minutes walk from the ground, it is asked that spectators use this car park as their are only limited spaces at the ground itself.