ENJOY it and play well - that's what Woodhouse Grange CC skipper Nick Hadfield will tell his men as they prepare to step out at Lord's for the final time.

The Sutton-on-Derwent side will look to bow out in the Davidstow Village Cup by defending their title against Cambridgeshire side Foxton at the home of English cricket tomorrow.

Not only will Grange retain their crown with a win, they would also become the leading side in the competition's history - victory bringing them a fourth success in seven outings since their first in 1995.

With the York Senior League outfit having qualified to play in the new Yorkshire League next season, they will no longer be eligible to enter the Village Cup and that has focused the attention of Hadfield and his powerful squad as they journey to the capital.

But although they want to make the most of a last chance to pass through the Long Room and step out onto the hallowed turf, more important for the captain is that they do themselves justice on the pitch - whatever the final result may be.

"Obviously we have been honoured to have had the success in years gone by - to have reached six finals and now the seventh. It doesn't lose its excitement at all. We are all thoroughly looking forward to a great weekend," he said.

"It is nerve wracking to a certain extent but, once the nerves run through, it is an amazing experience. It is something that every amateur cricketer, I am sure, would dream of. We are extremely lucky to play at the home of the cricket.

"It is something you can't really put into words until you actually experience it. It is something totally different from walking about on the usual village and club pitches.

"Winning it would be a great achievement and it would be the icing on the cake. The competition, however, owes us absolutely nothing with our rich heritage in it. You never go there to lose but all we want is to play well."

Hadfield confesses to knowing little about their opponents, who are mid-table in the Tucker Gardner Premier League, aside from internet scouting. But he believes their passage to the final means Grange must be on the highest guard if they are to come out on top.

He added: "They are going to be a good side to have got through so many rounds to reach the final. Some 300 teams enter so we know they are going to be a good outfit. It is their first time at Lord's and that can provide positives.

"We will try to play well and we hope to win."

Hadfield skippered a dominating performance at Lord's 12 months ago as Great and Little Tew were bowled out for just 114 before Grange reached their target without losing a wicket. He is hoping the experience of that victory - Tom Quinn was the only player not to have taken the field in that final - and the club's "well balanced" structure can see them through again.

"We have to look to impose ourselves early on and, this year, experience counts for a lot and that's what we want to try and impart on the game," he explained. "You don't lose a game in the first ten overs of each innings but you can go a long way to putting a foundation to win one.

"We are very well rounded. We have got a lot of bases covered - from some very young and talented players to explosive batters and experience when you need to settle things down.

"Tew probably put a bit of pressure on themselves to perform last year and you find you can't enjoy it and can't play to your full potential. That's what I will be telling the players."