WOODHOUSE GRANGE captain Nick Hadfield reckons his side’s “unprecedented” achievements in the Davidstow Village Cup may not be matched.

The Sutton-on-Derwent side became the leading club in the competition’s history after they beat Cambridgeshire side Foxton by 19 runs to defend their title at Lord’s in the final on Sunday.

It was the fourth time a Grange skipper had collected the trophy – the most prestigious knockout tournament for village sides – and the seventh time since 1995 that the club had appeared in the showpiece final.

No team has won the cup more than Grange and, with the strength of the clubs increasing all the time, Hadfield doubts whether they will be matched any time soon

It was his side’s final appearance in the event, and Lord’s, with Grange losing eligibility to compete when they enter the restructured Yorkshire Premier League next year and he said: “It’s fantastic. We all wanted to sign off like that. That makes it four victories and that is unprecedented. I very much doubt that will be matched given the strength you need to win the competition.

“For a number of years you need to have a good team. We have been very honoured and privileged to play in the competition for such a long time."

Batting first, Grange posted a formidable 256-2 on the back of half centuries from Hadfield (64), Andrew Bilton (60), Chris Bilton (65 not out) and 40 not out from Tom Young.

“You can’t argue with the way we played at all,” Hadfield added. “I won the toss but wasn’t sure what to do. We were on the same pitch as Yorkshire against Middlesex – right in the middle of the field – and I looked to post a score on the board.

“If you would think of the ideal innings then it went pretty much to plan. We got a platform from Andrew Bilton and myself and Chris Bilton moved it forward really well.

“That really changed the game, in the last eight overs, and allowed us to post 250. We have got the kind of players in the middle order that can come in and score ten an over for the last ten.”

Grange took Foxton wickets at crucial intervals and, once Foxton dangerman Cei Sanderson departed for 74, Hadfield and his men were able to enjoy their surroundings for a final time.

He said: “He was the crucial wicket. He anchored the innings and they lost wickets at crucial times that we didn’t. They didn’t get to put big partnerships together and were always chasing the game.

“The day seems to go very quickly. I said to the guys before the match ‘just enjoy it as much as you can’. The guys knew the deal and the way the day pans out.

“This (win) is for the players and the commitment they showed week in and week out, the wives and families who enable them to play so much cricket, for everyone at the club – the committees and the groundstaff – and the supporters. It’s a tonic after a long year.”