Quatt a blow as Lord's date change request rejected

Shropshire cricket club Quatt were today dealt another blow in their bid for a fairytale trip to Lord's - with cup opponents Northop rejecting a request to move their troublesome last 16 tie, writes CHRIS HUDSON.

The south Shropshire side are due to host the Flintshire club in the nPower Village Cup on Sunday, knowing victory would leave them just two wins from a trip to the home of cricket for the final.

But they already have a scheduled Marston's Shropshire Premier League game at home to Trysull & Seisdon that day - part of a weekend double-header - and league officials have refused to postpone it.

Quatt were banking on being able to put their cup clash back a week, even if that meant giving up home advantage, but that idea has now been scuppered.

"Northop have got back to us and said they are not willing to play it the week after," Quatt's captain Craig Jones revealed today.

"They say they've got two or three players missing that weekend so they would rather play it this week, and that's fair enough really.

"It means we've got to play it this week now, or concede the game."

Quatt's predicament has also won sympathy from many of their league rivals, Jones revealing that he had received e-mails from several clubs who felt the league should allow the Trysull game to be postponed.

"I know a couple of e-mails have been sent off to the league by some of our opponents, speaking as individuals rather than for their clubs," said Jones.

"They've said they can't believe we're being made to play the league game, and we appreciate the support."