Paul Hemming, the normally composed Shipton-under-Wychwood captain, admitted to feeling “quite emotional” after they reached the npower Village Cup final.

Shipton, and Hemming in particular, never seemed to panic, unlike their opponents Rowledge, as they secured a Lord’s date with Sessay on September 12.

But as the veteran all-rounder celebrated their dramatic 22-run victory, he also reflected that this could be his Village Cup swansong.

Hemming, who took the winning wicket, said: “I was quite emotional. Perhaps that was because it may be my last year in this competition.

“One or two of us older ones will probably not get another chance.

“It will probably be my last go because other guys like Simon Hole and Shaun Cross will be qualified to play next year.”

This will be Shipton’s fourth visit to Lord’s and they are going for their third title. Hemming said the achievement was “just as good” as previous years.

And having dominated their previous three national ties with the bat, this victory showed Shipton’s battling qualities with the ball.

Hemming said: “It was just about keeping calm and bowling straight.

“155 you’re thinking is not a great score, but the pitch was a little bit slower than normal. It was probably more like 190 on a good day.

“It was the sort of wicket where if you get two or three out others can follow and that’s what happened.”

Rowledge slumped from 109-4 to 133 all out, but Hemming was still nervous at the end.

“I’m just relieved somebody took the final wicket,” he said.

“We still had to finish off the job.

“Even at the end, if somebody had hit three big ones they could still have won it.”

He added: “Jason Hunt bowled brilliantly, but they had his measure, so I thought it would help if I came on and bowled even slower.”

  • SUPPORTERS can travel to Lord’s on coaches organised by Shipton-under-Wychwood CC.

The club are arranging two coaches from Shipton, one from Witmey and one covering Bampton, Carterton and Minster Lovell.

Seats will cost around £10-12 and can be booked by contacting Justin Hemming on justin.hemming@shiptoncc.co.uk or 07776 233730.