CHARLIE Brain believes Shipton-under-Wychwood can make experience count when they take on Hambledon in the Davidstow Village Cup on Sunday.

The west Oxfordshire side, well known for their efforts in the knockout competition, travel to Hampshire bidding to reach the second round of the national stages.

Shipton have won the Village Cup twice, in 2002 and 2003, and beat Oxford Downs by seven wickets in the Oxfordshire final a fortnight ago.

Steve Bates, Ian Lewis and Jason Hunt, who have all tasted success in the competition before, are named in the side and Brain hopes their experience of the big occasion will pay off.

He said: “They have played eight finals between them.

“The three of them have been there and done it and our batting depth is massive.”

The club’s exploits in the knockout competition have proved a hit not just with the players, but the whole club and Brain says there is genuine excitement ahead of the match.

“There is a buzz around the club,” he said.

“We get more fans, it is a shorter game and there is a bit of history in it.

“You can’t help but get a buzz from it.”

For anyone wishing to travel to the match, the postcode is PO7 4TF.

The winners will face either Cookham Dean or Roche on Sunday, July 10.

SUNDAY’S TEAM

Shipton-under-Wychwood (v Hambledon, away)Hemming, Wood, Bates, Perkin, Si Hole, Senior, Lewis, Hunt, Cross, Brain, S Miller.