It will be Sandiacre's first ever visit to Lord's and the first time that a Derbyshire side has reached the final of this prestigious competition. Their opponents, Bath, will be a real tough nut to crack, and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky, having been beaten finalists in 1998 and 2001.

The ECB organised National Club Championship attracts entries from over 500 club sides a year, all competing for the title of the country's best club side. The competition is initially organised into regional groups, progressing to the National stages consisting of the eight regional winners. Last year's winners were Essex side Saffron Walden CC. The quality in this competition is always high and many former County players regularly take part.

Bath skipper Gregg Brown in action in the 2001 final

Bath have already won the West of England Premier League for 2003. They are no strangers to Lord's having lost out to Doncaster Town CC in 1998, and failing by just four runs to overcome Bramhall CC in 2001. They are sure to be well prepared for the final. Only three players remain from the club's first attempt, vice captain Ben Staunton, Gordon Swinney and Mark Thorburn. Just four players remain from the 2001 attempt. The club are proud of the fact that all players who competed in the last two finals were local lads, all living and working within a seven mile radius of Bath.

Sandiacre Town, 2002 Premier Cup winners

Sandiacre, meanwhile, will not be overwhelmed by the occasion. Last year, they completed the League and Cup double with a memorable 54 run victory over West Indies Cavaliers at Caythorpe in September. They easily defeated the Cavs again, in the semi-final of this competition, to pave their way to Lord's.

Sandiacre will have to keep any post-match celebrating down to a minimum as they prepare for the final weekend double-header. The Longmoor Lane outfit are currently lying in second spot in the Derbyshire Premier, a point behind leaders Clifton. They travel the short distance to neighbours Ockbrook and Borrowash on Saturday (6th), before entertaining Dunstall in the final game of the season on Sunday (7th).

There could be some very serious hangovers in Sandiacre on Monday morning.