Teddington look good to be prize guys

13 April 2012

The signs are promising for Teddington to return to their trophy-winning days.

In a golden decade between 1989 and 1998 the west London club won the National Knockout Cup twice, the Evening Standard Challenge Trophy three times and four Middlesex League titles.

Now, after three barren seasons, they have emerged again as the team to fear.

Top of the league with five wins out of five and through to the last 32 of the National, they begin their quest for a fourth Challenge Trophy on Sunday when they travel to Old Deer Park to face Richmond.

Captain Tom Harrison, the former Derbyshire all-rounder, admits: "We are very keen to win something this year and the signs are good. Sunday's a massive game for us. We have a lot of respect for Richmond and we know they aren't scared of us." Harrison certainly will not forget to thank the sponsor if he is the lucky captain lifting the Challenge Trophy at The Oval in September.

Things could be a bit more complicated if Teddington win the National final at Lord's 10 days earlier, because Harrison would have to hand the trophy to himself.

The reason for that is that Harrison's internet company, Playcricket.com, are in their second year as sponsors of the National Knockout Cup.

"That's an embarrassment I could cope with," said Harrison. "I presented the Cup to the winning captain from Bramhall last year and I would be more than happy to give it to myself this time."

The winners of Sunday's ties will book places in the last 32 of the £12,000 knock-out tournament which features the London area's leading 112 teams.

Holders Wanstead begin their defence of the trophy with a home tie against Brentham.

Second round: Spencer v BWIA Cavaliers, Barnes v Hainault, Richmond v Teddington, Shenfield v Hoddesdon, Hornchurch v Banstead, Fives & Heronians v Barnet, Chingford v Beaconsfield, S Hampstead v Sevenoaks, Wanstead v Brentham, Dartford v Ickenham, Hampstead v Cheam, O Emanuel v Hartley, Walton O-T v Lambeth Enterprise, Lordswood v High Wycombe, Walthamstow v Wimbledon. Stanmore v Winchmore Hill, Wycombe House v Harrow, Dorking v Blackheath, Hertford v Malden Wanderers, Bickley Park v Radlett, E Grinstead v N Mymms, Farnham Royal v Saffron Walden, Guildford v Ealing, Finchley v Bexley, Beddington v Hornsea, Acton v Orpington, Eastcote v Bromley, Brondesbury v Sunbury, S Woodford v Sutton, Linden Park v Dulwich, W Herts v Hadleigh, Southgate v Aztecs.

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