League fixture threatens Quatt's game at Lord's

A Shropshire cricket team has seen its hopes of reaching a national final at Lord's jeopardised - because they have been ordered to fulfil a league fixture.

Quatt are due to entertain Northop in the last 16 of the nPower Village Cup on Sunday, knowing victory will take them within two games of reaching the final at Lord's.

But the game clashes with one of only two sets of Sunday fixtures in the Marston's Shropshire Premier League season.

And league officials have refused a request from Quatt for their home fixture against Trysull to be postponed until a later date, to allow them to play Northop.

"We have spoken to people from Wisden who organise the tournament, the Shropshire Cricket Board and the English Cricket Board," said Quatt's Village Cup team captain Craig Jones.

"The general view is that the Village Cup should take preference because it is good kudos for both Shropshire cricket and the league.

"Trysull have said they are prepared to write a letter to the league saying they are happy to support Quatt, but the league are saying we have to play it.

"It's hard to take because all the league fixtures were cancelled when Shrewsbury Town got to Wembley for the play-off final (in 2007).

"That affected none of our players but we had to move the game. This affects all of our players and we are told we have to play it."

Jones is continuing talks with Wisden and Northop officials in an attempt to resolve the situation.

But Quatt could be forced to play their Village Cup tie and two Marston's League games — first and second XIs — against Trysull on Sunday, an outcome which could cause problems with team selection and venues for matches.

Crucial

There is a possibility the Village Cup game could be pushed back a week, although that could see Quatt lose crucial home advantage.

Marston's League chairman Mike Robinson revealed the stance had been taken to ensure all games were played simultaneously, insisting the potential of varying weather played a major role in the thinking.

"The management committee believe it's in the best interests of the league as a whole if all the set of fixtures are played on the same day," he said.

"It's been a very tough decision and we know we may be in a minority of one.

"But we have to act in what we believe to be the best interests of everybody and the integrity of the league."