The second-last jump for Horses!

After two losing semis in 2003 and 2004, they believe they are better now, and the opposition cannot equal the unfairly superior 2004 Sully team that stopped The Horses in South Wales.

The previous year, it was an agonising five-run home loss to Shipton-Under-Wychwood, who then won the final.

Oxford Downs, who play in Abingdon Road in the village of Standlake, on the A415 between Witney and Abingdon, have every reason to fear a Findon side now used to winning a good way from home.

The Horses have no injury problems, while Downs skipper Wes Bartlett reportedly pulled a hamstring during his 55-ball 70 against Cresselly of West Wales in their replayed quarter-final at Standlake on Sunday. Downs' 208 for nine (Cresselly 183 in reply) followed targets they set in the previous national rounds of 205 and 280 away to Marshfield (114) and Chew Magna (245).

Findon skipper Graham Waller said: "The toss will be important. Our information is Oxford Downs have a side of mixed ages. They're pretty strong in their up-front bating and have pace in their first two bowlers.

But their fielding is not as good as Rowledge's which was exceptional. Their young wicketkeeper has just been picked for Oxfordshire.

"Both teams like to bat first and then restrict. But they're not going to be as good as Sully. We've been here before and it's down to who's got the bottle."

Expect "Lord's Fever" to break out this weekend and Findon's travelling support again to double that of the oposition at Standlake.

Micky Demetriou, Findon's first-choice 17-year-old all-rounder, will be trialling for England Schools Under-18s football squad. His natural replacement is experienced all-rounder Grant Christie, who will be back off holiday after missing the previous round.

FINDON: G.Waller, Rogers, Kingsbury, O'Sullivan, J.Iago, Shackman, N.Waller, Christie, S.Waller, Stephens, F.Jordan. 12th man: Nielsen.

For full report and opening batsman John Rogers's thoughts, see the August 16 edition of the Worthing Herald.