Woodhouses in last four

WOODHOUSES are within touching distance of a dream appearance at Lord’s after a nail-biting quarter-final win over Shipley Hall in the National Village Cup.

They emerged victorious by virtue of a superior run-rate after both sides had finished in 181 for six at Medlock Road.

“It was quite a surreal atmosphere at the end,” admitted Woodhouses captain Gareth Tuson. “Alan Starmer was running about waving his arms above his head, but none of the 500 or so supporters on the ground knew what was going on.”

Starmer, however, had asked the umpires what would happen if the scores and wickets were tied. They said it was down to which side had scored the most runs in the first 20 overs — and Woodhouses were in front 79 to 59.

Tuson was one of the Woodhouses heroes against the Derbyshire County League side, scoring 39, while former captain Starmer was unbeaten on 42.

Woodhouses will have home advantage in the semi-finals and should learn their opponents later today.