Folkton & Flixton aces Hatton and Stephenson seal dramatic National Village Cup win

Flixton skipper Tom Norman won the toss and elected to bowl first after the overnight rain, and Stephenson and Max Harland opened the bowling tidily, with opener and captain Dan Cass making a good 44 before being run out by Cameron Anderson.

Bridge’s innings never got going however as they limped to what seemed a well below-par 168-7 from 40 overs, Tom Norman and Jake Hatton taking two wickets apiece.

The Flixton reply got off to the worst possible start with Elliot Hatton departing in the first over, followed by captain Norman clean-bowled.

Will Hutchinson, Matt Nesfield and Will Norman all then departed without troubling the scorers as the home side appeared to be heading out of the competition at 55-5, Cass claiming 4-21 in an excellent eight overs.

Opener Rich Malthouse batted sensibly as others fell around him as he departed for 36 and Flixton found themselves 110-8.

In came Stephenson to bat with Jake Hatton, with the pair putting on 60 for the ninth wicket, scoring 43 not out and 40 not out respectively to seal their side's win with 5.4 overs left.

In the next round Flixton will be up against an experienced Sessay side on May 23.

Result: Flixton 171-8 (34.2) beat Sheriff Hutton Bridge 2nd XI 168-7 (40 overs) by two wickets.