Stayley live the dream

There was to be no fairytale ending to Stayley’s remarkable Village Cup run, as they fell to defeat in Sunday’s final at Lord’s. 

Despite the loss, Stayley leave London with their heads held high, having etched their names into the history books. 

They leave with memories that will last a lifetime, having made it to the Home of Cricket for the first time in their 153-year history. 

A dominant opening display from holders Foxton Granta – who became only the fifth side to retain the cup – saw them rack up a whopping 265 from their 40 overs, leaving the Millbrook side with a mountain to climb. 

In the process, Richard Kaufman became the first player in the competition’s history to score a second hundred in the final as he recorded an exceptional 122. 

Kaufman did the majority of the run-scoring in a 53-run opening stand, but quickfire wickets from teenage star Leighton Parker – who removed Adam Webster for 12 and Ash Clark for a duck gave – Stayley hope.  

Wickets from Casey Roche and Scott Devlin followed, but it did not stop the reigning champions from posting a formidable 265 for 4, the third highest Village Cup total ever. 

Despite their best efforts, Stayley struggled to get close to their target, as they were bowled out for just 120. 

A difficult opening to the innings saw them lose Liam Parkinson for 9, who was convinced he edged onto his pad before being given out lbw, and Jake Barlow for 5. 

Sohail Khan then scored a respectable 17, while Rhys Downend was gone for six, Muhammad Saqib for 15, and skipper Nick Woodhead for just two. 

Roche then managed six and Parker seven, before Dylan Barlow went for a duck as Cambridge based Foxton closed in on victory. 

With Stayley lagging behind on 81 for 9, Mehmood Ul-Hassan's final wicket partnership of 39 with Devlin made for a more respectable scoreline, as the former finished as his side’s top scorer in the capital with a valiant 23.