HALF centuries from Jacob Davis and Pete King set Tiddington on their way to winning the Oxfordshire final of the National Village Cup.

The two-wicket victory at Shipton-under-Wychwood qualified the club for the national stages of the competition for the first time since 2013.

A quarter of a century after the club’s last visit to Lord’s, they are now four wins away from a return.

Next up is a last-32 tie at home on Sunday to Pentyrch, who came through the Glamorgan and Gwent section.

Skipper Matt Johnston said: “Playing at the home of cricket is always the dream, but it’s a long way off at the moment.

“Jacob and Pete batted really well at the top of the order.

“It was a bit closer than we would’ve liked, but we’ve had a few close games this year and it was nice not to take it into the final over.”

Bizarrely, the two county finalists had met in the Cherwell League 24 hours earlier.

Shipton won by two wickets on Saturday, but this time they batted first.

Opener Tim Senior (33) got them off to a steady start, but Nick Pykett (3-25) reduced the hosts to 57-5.

Charlie Miller (44) held the innings together with Zac Jarvis (30) as they put on 73 for the sixth wicket.

Joe Elliott, who took 4-45, removed both as Shipton were all out for 176 with seven balls remaining.

Tiddington lost two early wickets to Zac Jarvis, but Davis (59) and King (53) led the fightback in a third-wicket stand worth 78.

The latter stuck around to nurse the tail through the chase as wickets began to fall.

Craig Wood (3-28) was the pick of the Shipton attack and the hosts sensed a chance when King became the second wicket to fall in quick succession.

Tiddington still needed another ten runs to win, but Joe Elliott and Ryan Chapman held their nerve to see out the victory with eight balls to spare.