SHERIFF Hutton Bridge won the npower National Village Cup in dramatic fashion at Lord's when they became the first side in the 34 year history of the competition to successfully chase a target in excess of 200.

They beat Kent League side Eynsford by four wickets with just eight balls to spare in a thrilling battle.

Hero of the hour was Steve Crowder who defied a badly bruised thumb to crack 76 not out to earn the man-of-the-match award.

Bridge were following in the footsteps of fellow Hunters York and District Senior League sides Sessay, who lost to Troon by 18 runs in 1976, and Woodhouse Grange, who, after beating Tiddington by 14 runs in 1995, failed to lift the trophy for a second time when they lost by 20 runs to Linton Park in 1999.

Bridge's pool of 15 players was reduced to 14 when all-rounder Dave Gilbertson, who was the only player to have previously played at Lord's as a member of the Woodhouse Grange team, declared himself unfit after sustaining a shoulder injury on the previous Saturday. There was better news regarding Steve Crowder, whose injury from the same league game had recovered sufficiently for him to take his number three spot.

After Eynsford's captain had elected to bat first, Bridge's skipper Paul Scaling proudly led his side down the famous steps, through the legendary Long Room and out on to the sun-bathed hallowed turf.

His side showed no signs of nerves in front of a 2,500 crowd and soon tasted success when Dave Houldridge struck in his second over when teenage'keeper Adam Fisher held a good catch to dismiss Gary Atkins for 2. Atkins' partner, James Ashdown went in to the final having scored three centuries in previous rounds. However, he was totally beaten by Nick Scaling's pace and saw his stumps flying in all directions after he had made just eight.

Eynsford's problems continued when Houldridge gained a second scalp when Ian Playfoot fell for 12 to a good catch at backward square leg by Peter Crowder which left the Kent-based side reeling on 30-3.

Jamie Wise and Paul Geear mounted a rescue act with 50 off 60 balls. The stand had expanded to 94 when Paul Oldfield had Wise caught in the deep by Danny Snowball for 52.

Oldfield then induced Howard Collins to hole out to Dave Houldridge but came under attack from Dom Syers. He rapidly made 16 but, in attempting a fifth boundary, was caught on the ropes in the shadow of the pavilion by Paul Scaling off Mike Sinclair.

Oldfield then took his fourth wicket as Fisher pouched a second victim and successful lbw appeals by Nick Scaling and Houldridge closed the innings on 201 after 38.5 overs.

Houldridge finished with 3-21 off 6.5 overs and Nick Scaling2-28 in support of Oldfield's 4-52.

Bridge were given an excellent start as Ian Clish, in particular, scored rapidly. With Paul Oldfield batting in his usual solid fashion, the score moved to 50 without loss at a run-a-ball.

It was something of a surprise when, at 60 Oldfield fell to a juggled slip catch by Krishnan Nadendla for 18. Clish and Steve Crowder took the total to 93 when Ian Playfoot had Clish caught on the short cover boundary for 37.

The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse. Paul Scaling fell to an outfield catch by a sub fielder then Peter Crowder played on to a delivery from skipper Ben Wise before Nick Scaling was bowled by Nadendla leaving Bridge rocking at 126-5.

Steve Crowder found a useful ally in Mike Sinclair who helped to add 43 before being caught for 18. His replacement 17-year-old Adam Fisher arrived with 33 runs required at more than a run a ball. The youngster played a series of elegant shots and fed the bowling to his more senior partner.

Crowder moved to a priceless half century off 90 balls and began to take chances. He was dropped at long off when on 55 by Nadendla, who not only spilled the chance but allowed the ball to cross the ropes for four.

A late bowling change proved to be disastrous for Eynsford as Crowder hit a six and a four and he was able to complete a job well done when he hit the winning runs off the fourth ball of the penultimate over.

npower Village Cup Final Scoreboard

Sheriff Hutton Bridge v Eynsford

(at Lord's)

Eynsford won toss

Eynsford innings

G Atkins c Fisher b Houldridge 2

JE Ashdown b N Scaling 8

J Wise c Snowball b Oldfield 59

IT Playfoot c P Crowder b Houldridge.... 12

PA Geear c S Crowder b Houldridge 47

HJ Collins c Houldridge b Oldfield 8

DP Syers c P Scaling b Sinclair 16

BC Wise c Fisher b Oldfield 11

D Wise not out 9

R Dell lbw b N Scaling 0

K Nadendla lbw b Houldridge 2

Extras (5lb 21w 1nb) 27

Total (38.5 overs) 201

Fall: 1-7, 2-11, 3-30, 4-124, 5-140, 6-167,

7-171, 8-191, 9-193.

Bowling: Houldridge 6-5-2-21-3, N Scaling 7-1-28-2, Sinclair 9-0-45-1, Foxton 4-0-27-0, Oldfield 9-0-52-4, Snowball 3-0-23-0.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge innings

PM Oldfield c Nadendla b B Wise 18

IR Clish c Atkins b Playfoot 37

SD Crowder not out 76

P Scaling c sub b B Wise 1

PA Crowder b B Wise 2

N Scaling b Nadendla 1

M Sinclair c Collins b Playfdoot 18

A Fisher not out 14

Extras .............................................. 36

Total 6 wicket (38.4 overs) 203

Did not bat: D Foxton, D Snowball, D Houldridge.

Fall: 1-60, 2-93, 3-114, 4-117, 5-126, 6-169.

Bowling: Nadendla 9-0-42-1, Dell 3-0-25-0, B Wise 9-2-50-3, D Wise 9-0-48-0, Playfoot 7.4-0-42-2, Syers 1-0-11-0.

Man of match: Steve Crowder.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge won by 4 wickets.

Updated: 10:46 Monday, August 29, 2005