Northants clubs aim to break county's Lord's duck in Cawston Press Village Cup

The tournament, which culminates in a dream final at Lord’s in London later in the summer, begins this Sunday in the newly-formed Leicestershire & Northamptonshire group.

Haddon will entertain Leicestershire club Newtown Linford in a preliminary round, with the winner facing a home tie against Marston St Lawrence.

All of the other competing Northants clubs have been given byes into the first round, with Geddington travelling to the winner of the preliminary tie between Bedfordshire club Podington, who play in the Northamptonshire Cricket League, and Leicestershire club Long Whatton.

In another inter-county tie, Northants Cricket League Division One outfit Horton House will host Billedson, while a more local affair will see Loddington & Mawsley entertain Weekley & Warkton in a derby date.

The first round ties are due to be held on Sunday, April 26.

Owing to their status as NCL Premier Division sides, both Geddington and Loddington will be unable to field first team players, as per tournament rules.

A modern-day record of 403 clubs entered this year’s Village Cup, held since 1972 and sponsored this year by premium soft drinks manufacturer Cawston Press.

Last year, Cambridgeshire club Foxton Granta retained their title at Lord's after former Northamptonshire Cricket Board player Richard Kaufman made history by becoming the first man to score centuries in back-to-back finals.

To date, no Northants club has ever made the final of the tournament – a record the participating teams will be hoping comes to an end this year.

For more information, visit nationalvillagecup.com/fixtures