WICKETKEEPER Danny Green took five catches as Sandiacre Town won their Cockspur Cup quarter-final at Chester-le-Street on Sunday.

And now Green, enjoying the first season in which he has established himself in the first team, is dreaming of a Lord's appearance in September's final – if Sandiacre can get past Kibworth in the semi-final.

“We don't want to get ahead of ourselves,” said Green.

“But we've been in some sticky situations in this year's competition already and we've come through them.

“We can't help but start to think: 'is this meant to be?'

“It would be unbelievable to go to Lord's, a fantastic experience.

“There are one or two of us, such as me and Andy Marlow, who started the season in the second team and we're working hard to stay in the firsts.

“You do raise your game, playing with better players, and you have to concentrate on every ball.”

It was certainly a nail-biter for Sandiacre at Chester-le-Street, as they restricted the home side to 135-9 and then struggled with the bat themselves, eventually needing nine runs from the last over.

Seventh-wicket pair Ian Parkin (52 not out) and John Jordison (22 not out) saw them home, levelling the scores when the last ball was a high leg-side wide, then running a leg bye when the final ball was re-bowled.

“It was a great game,” said Green (pictured), “And Ian Parkin played one of the best innings I've ever seen.

“Those of us still waiting to bat were very nervous about it because Chester-le-Street's bowling was in a different league to anything we usually see.

“Their opening bowler, Luke Evans, is 6ft 7in and was getting a lot of bounce.”

When Sandiacre bowled, Green started with a high catch above his head from a top edge to send back Simon Birtwistle, who had scored 80 against Ockbrook & Borrowash in the previous round. Four more catches followed as the home side struggled throughout for runs.

But Sandiacre slid to 60-6 themselves before Parkin and Jordison put together their unbroken stand of 76.

The semi-final with Kibworth is on Sunday, August 17, at Sandiacre.