Blackheath’s squad at Woolpit last Sunday
An inspirational message from a former captain helped propel Blackheath into the first National Village Cup semi-final in their history.
The Surrey club’s previous best in the Village Cup came in 1997, when they made it to the quarter-finals before succumbing to Milstead, from their bogey county of Kent, in a replay.
Ahead of last Sunday’s last eight tie away at Suffolk’s Woolpit, the current crop of Blackheath players were encouraged by a message from James Reid, who skippered that 1997 run.
Reid’s words of inspiration helped the visitors to post 233 for 7 from their 40 overs, led by Will Melhuish’s 90.
In the reply, Woolpit fell to 116 all out as Oscar Gilliam (3 for 25) and Sam Behn (3 for 11) claimed three wickets apiece.
In a report for Blackheath’s website, fixtures secretary Paul Nash wrote: “The whole match was played in just the right way – highly competitive but always respectful – and “both their team and supporters were extremely gracious in defeat.
The club is plainly a superbly well run one with magnificent facilities, and their welcome and hospitality could not have been bettered.
“Should we encounter them again in the latter stages of this competition in a future year, it will be another occasion to relish.”
Blackheath now travel to two-time champions Goatacre, from Wiltshire, in this coming Sunday’s semi-final.
