ASTWOOD Bank are busy putting plans into place ahead of the biggest game to be staged at Sambourne Lane since 2005 when they take on North Yorkshire side Sessay in the semi-final of the National Village Cup on Sunday.

The Bank are just one game away from playing in a Lord’s final and the club are determined to make it third time lucky after losing out in two previous finals.

Skipper Andre ‘AJ’ Jagielski said: “It’s going to be the most difficult game we’ve played in the competition this season by virtue of the fact it’s the semi-final and that Sessay are the current holders.

“All we can ask, is that everyone turns up on the day and plays their best.”

The Bank are mindful that Sunday’s extravaganza, which gets underway at 1.30pm, shouldn’t detract from their Birmingham League campaign as the club are currently in the thick of the battle for promotion from Division Three.

They slipped up last Saturday when suffering a five wicket defeat to Handsworth but Jagielski insisted: “Thankfully there was no damage done and we didn’t lose any ground in the title race and remain exactly the same number of points behind leaders Lichfield.”

But Jagielski is aware they cannot afford another setback when they travel to Worcester Nomads on Saturday, even though the clash with Sessay will be in the back of player’s minds.

He confirmed: “It’s a difficult situation because you know you will be playing in front of hundreds of people the following day.

“But I cannot use that as an excuse for the defeat against Handsworth, who are a better side than their league position suggests.We were put into bat first on a difficult pitch and did well to reach 217 for nine.

“Then Handsworth skipper Maverick Perry produced a captain’s knock of 77 not out and that probably proved the difference.

“It was a game that could have gone either way and we cannot start dwelling on Sunday. “We need to get back into winning ways against Worcester Nomads so that we can go into Sunday’s game with Sessay full of confidence.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a massive game. They’ll be extra bars open in the ground, live music and a barbecue.

“There’s even the possibility of erecting a temporary stand in the car park, although that hasn’t been decided upon yet.

“We’re expecting a crowd in the region of 700 to 800 people, but it’s very weather dependent.

“The players will be told before the Worcester Nomads game that there are places in Sunday’s side still up for grabs. If anyone puts in a massive performance, it would be hard to ignore.”

“Both Alex Robinson and Pete Alexander have played in previous semi-finals and their experience could prove invaluable come Sunday”.