WHAT is it about Lord’s and breaking records for Sessay CC?

As reported, the North Yorkshire side stormed to victory in Sunday’s Davidstow Village Cup final at the home of cricket.

That win over Kent’s Sibton Park saw Mark Wilkie’s men compile the largest total in the competition’s 45-year history with a mammoth 307-5 from 40 overs – smashing the previous best of 267-5 made by Goatacre in 1990.

But there were also individual success, as Sessay’s Simon Mason hammered the highest score by a batsman in a final. His 138 eclipsed the 123 scored by Goatacre’s Kevin Iles 26 years ago.

And, as skipper Wilkie revealed, it isn’t the first time his side have excelled on the big stage, following their triumph in the same competition six years ago.

“In 2010 I think we knocked off the highest total that’s ever been reached so we’re making a habit of this,” he laughed.

“I’m absolutely delighted though – we’ve worked really hard this year and were desperate to win it especially after getting back to Lord’s again.

“It tastes just as good as 2010. It’s been a long season and this is the icing on the cake.”

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sessay were reduced to 16-1 and then 73-2 as Wilkie and Matthew Till departed.

That brought Mason and Nick Harrison together for what would be the key partnership of the match.

The pair proceeded to add 156 in quick time, taking it in turns to hammer sixes into the Tavern Stand where much of the large Yorkshire support were housed.

Harrison was eventually caught on that very boundary for 69 off 58 balls before Mason followed him back to the pavilion after his superb 110-ball knock, which included 19 fours and three sixes.

More big hitting from Jacob Spencer (48 not out) saw Sessay past the 300-mark, leaving Sibton Park with a mountain to climb.

And so it proved as Stuart Peirse (3-21) made the early inroads and Till finished things off with three wickets of his own to bowl Sibton out for 188 with more than three overs to spare.

Only a brutal 70 from Ben Allon – including four successive sixes off Wilkie – held up the Sessay victory charge, but his dismissal signalled the beginning of the end.

Wilkie was quick to herald Mason’s innings and his team’s efforts after taking the crown again ahead of 300 other teams.

“If you had offered us 300 in our innings before the match I’d have snapped your hand off. Simon batted superbly and everyone chipped in,” he said.

“Then we bowled really well – Stuart Peirse set us up brilliantly, got the early wickets and put them under pressure.

“We didn’t take it for granted, even with 300 in the bank. We knew we were in for a fight but it’s great to get over the line.

“It’s what dreams are made of and we’ll enjoy it.”

The man of the moment, Mason, was understandably delighted as Sessay clinched a tenth Yorkshire victory in the competition – extending yet another record.

“It’s just surreal, beyond my wildest dreams,” he told the Press.

“It was a dream come true to play at Lord’s in the first place, but to come here, perform the way I did and get the score I did is incredible.

“It’s every cricketer’s dream to play here, and to win here is just… wow!

“It wasn’t just about the final either – to get to Lord’s we played so much good cricket.

“It’s been 12 or 13 guys throughout the season and has been a brilliant effort from every single one of them.

“When we came off at the end of our innings for tea I didn’t eat a thing – I was in a state of shock! I was on cloud nine and just trying to take it all in.

“It will take a few days to sink it but we’ll enjoy a few beers and celebrate a truly great team victory.”