Sessay Cricket Club fell short in their quest to reach their third National Village Cup semi-final in four years after an eight-wicket defeat to Cumbrian side Cleator, writes Toby Latham.

Sessay had high hopes of victory after putting in a strong performance in the previous round to defeat former champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

However, they were blown away by the Cleator attack which restricted them to 91-9 from 40 overs after Sessay had won the toss and elected to bat.

Sessay’s defence of their under par score did not start well as they put down a couple of early chances.

The deadlock was finally broken when Liam Karver removed one of the Cleator openers caught behind to make the score 27-1.

But it wasn’t until Cleator needed 15 to win that Sessay struck again when captain Stephen Langstaff took his side’s second wicket. Sessay eventually succumbed to a disappointing defeat.

Said Langstaff: “Having won the competition in 2010, we know what it takes to be victorious and Cleator definitely have the fire-power. Undoubtedly we were outplayed and the better team won.”