BRADFIELD travelled to Abington in the National Village Cup and came away with a one- run victory on run rate to book their place in the regional final.

BRADFIELD travelled to Abington in the National Village Cup and came away with a one- run victory on run rate to book their place in the regional final.

Bradfield won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Abington openers, Wagstaff and Earl, scored at a run a ball for the first six overs.

Bradfield turned to the experience of Abbs and were quickly rewarded when he had Earl caught by A Kimber for 26.

Wagstaff and new man Norden put Abington in a commanding position as they reached 100, still only one wicket down.

The partnership was eventually broken when captain Yarham bowled Wagstaff (40). This sparked a fightback from Bradfield, led by Yarham who had Pimblet (2) caught by A Kimber before taking a superb caught and bowled to remove Duquemin (10). Robertson then removed Lawrence (0), before picking up the important wicket of Norden (45).

Wiseman picked up a wicket before Robertson clean bowled his last three victims to finish with superb figures of

5-22 and leave Abington all out for 171.

With the weather looking ominous, Bradfield had to stay up with the required rate throughout the innings. However, they got off to the worst possible start, losing Abbs (0) and Bidewell (5) early on.

Despite this, Botwright remained positive and was well supported by Wiseman as Bradfield rebuilt.

Just as Bradfield were starting to look in control at 86-2, Botwright was bowled for 48. Gray (0) soon followed to leave the game in the balance.

Yarham then fired a quick 13 before being bowled. This brought A Kimber to the crease with the rain approaching and Bradfield having fallen slightly behind the required rate.

He and Wiseman took 17 from an over, including a straight six from Kimber, described by some locals as the biggest seen at the ground.

The players were forced off the field due to the rain, with Bradfield one run ahead on run rate. The weather made it impossible for the game to resume, leaving Wiseman and A Kimber unbeaten on 30 and 12 respectively and Bradfield as the winners.

They now travel to Fordham on Sunday in the regional final of the competition.