YORK CC captain Dan Woods has called on cricket fans to make the journey to Clifton Park on Sunday for a “big game” in the ECB National Club Championship against Richmondshire.

The day before, the current Hunters Yorkshire Premier League North leaders will host fellow high-fliers Scarborough in the league.

Sunday’s game represents the regional final of the 40-over knock-out competition, and the first round of the national stage. To get here, the Clifton Park side – who lifted the trophy for the second time in 2012 – saw off Stockton back in May and Stamford Bridge in June.

Richmondshire, who finished runners-up in the North Yorkshire & South Durham League premier division last year, have played three games in this cup campaign, defeating Clifton Alliance, 2016 winners South Northumberland and 2009 winners Chester-le-Street.

Woods commented: “It’s a big game and the boys are looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good game of cricket.

“We’re hoping for good weather and a lot of people down to support the team – the more people there makes it a really good experience for the players and club.”

An extra attraction for the fans, Woods noted, will be the likely presence of Richmondshire’s captain Gary Pratt, who famously ran out Ricky Ponting as a substitute in a 2005 Ashes test.

Fast bowler Jonny Moxon, the son of Yorkshire’s director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, is set to be drafted in for York.

York’s strong start to their league title defence has understandably left Woods feeling pleased, having lost only one game from nine outings – but the recovery from their comprehensive home defeat to Sheriff Hutton Bridge last month is also a source of satisfaction.

Since Adam Fisher’s men cruised to eight-wicket victory at Clifton Park, York have won all their fixtures, including claiming revenge in the rematch at Moor Farm and beating Bridge in the group stage of the T20 Blast a fortnight ago.

But, as Woods pointed out, the season is still young and has plenty of tests in store for the reigning champions, starting at North Marine Road tomorrow.

Of course, it will help that the York have plenty of quality in their ranks - batsman Duncan Snell posted 117 last week at Driffield Town - his fourth century in eight innings - while promising teenager Finlay Bean contributed 42 to the total.

Woods said: “Obviously we’re in a good league position and still in cup competitions. People are really pleased with how things are going.

“But there’s a lot of tough challenges still to come, we’ve not won anything yet.

“We’re definitely pleased with the character (recovering from the Bridge defeat showed). A lot of the younger players are making excellent contributions and Duncan Snell is in the form of his life – we’re delighted with how he’s doing.

“Scarborough will be another big challenge. They have Sam Drury from Driffield – this is his first season at Scarborough – and we know he’s a dangerous player, so we need to keep him quiet.

“It’s going to be a good game.”