EXCELLENT Astwood Bank are just one game away from playing in a Lord's final following their thrilling National Village Cup quarter final triumph at Leicestershire side The Langtons.

The Bank squeezed home with just two balls to spare and will now play the current holders Sessay from Yorkshire at their Sambourne Lane ground on August 6 for a place in the final.

But it was far from plain sailing in Leicestershire as the Bank had to dig deep before sealing victory.

Asked to chase down a Langtons total of 161 all out, the Bank were bracing themselves for possible defeat at 108 for eight.

But tailenders Joel Haslam and wicketkeeper Paul Daws came to the rescue with an unbeaten 56 run partnership to see the side home.

Haslam hit 36 not out while Daws remained undefeated on 16 not out Skipper Andre Jagielski insisted: "They were the heroes, no doubt about it. Especially as Joel had earlier taken four for 35 with the ball while fellow strike bowler Tom Harris claimed four for 28.

"We just couldn't seem to get any partnerships going and kept losing wickets at the same time. But we've always said they'd come a game when people batting in the lower order would have to stand up and be counted.

"We have a great deal of depth in our batting and that proved the case."

Jagielski - known as 'AJ' - also praised the huge support which followed Astwood Bank to Leicestershire.

He claimed: "The Langtons told us it was the biggest crowd they've ever seen at their ground. We must have taken at least 150 people ourselves and certainly during the earlier part of the game outnumbered the home support.

"It was great, the crowd were in good voice and that really helped spur us on, especially when you see how much it means to people.

"Langtons were a very competitive side but afterwards we stayed behind and it was all very well natured. They wished us well for the rest of the competition.

"All of the side who played on Sunday have come through Astwood Bank's junior system and many of us were at Lords the last time we made the final back in 2003 when we lost to Shipton Under Wychwood from Oxfordshire.

"Our opening bat Alex Robinson played in the game and skippered the side that day. I think many of us vowed there and then we would come back and win the competition."

The Bank will need to be at their best as Sessay, who are based near Thirsk, play in the powerful Yorkshire Premier Division.

In the meantime Astwood Bank must turn their attentions back to the Birmingham League when they host Handsworth this Saturday.

The Bank lost top spot in Division Three after their game against Shropshire side Newport was abandoned after 47 overs.

By that stage, the Bank had scored 134 for nine with Sam Thomas striking top score of 42 not out.