FELIXSTOWE are out to make a big hit at Lord's tomorrow when they play in the final of the National Indoor six-a-side club championship.And it will be particularly pleasing to play at cricket's headquarters for skipper Joe Rusby.

By Elvin King

FELIXSTOWE are out to make a big hit at Lord's tomorrow when they play in the final of the National Indoor six-a-side club championship.

And it will be particularly pleasing to play at cricket's headquarters for skipper Joe Rusby.

Along with Mark Jones, Rusby formed the side three years ago and six of the squad are Felixstowe-raised and played together as juniors.

Paul McCart, a teacher at Kesgrave High School, hails from Ireland and played outdoor cricket for Felixstowe in Division Five of the Two Counties Championship last summer.

Felixstowe won the Second Division of the Gainsborough Sports Centre indoor league in 2004 and the First Division last year.

This year they are top of the table, but with three games to go they are in a battle for the title with Copdock, Hadleigh and Mallards.

“It will be a big thrill to play at Lord's, and we will be giving it our best shot,” said Rusby.

“We did not know what to expect in the regional final, but we came up trumps.

“The same will apply on Sunday, and we are confident we can do ourselves justice.”

Felixstowe, once one of the biggest clubs in Suffolk and the venue for scores of Minor Counties Championship games over the years, have not enjoyed the best of fortunes in recent seasons.

Rusby and his team mates have a chance to put that right, and put Felixstowe back on the cricketing map.

Jones is captain of Clacton in the East Anglian Premier League, and Martyn Cull also plays for the Essex side.

Jamie Rock played for Ipswich last year, while Rusby, Ben Connell and McCart helped Felixstowe win the Division Five title. Danny Rock is now in the RAF.

Play starts at noon on Sunday with Felixstowe playing Hampstead from London. In the other semi-final BAT Sports from Hampshire meet Longton, who contain a number of Staffordshire Minor Counties players.

Games are played over 12 overs-a-side with bowlers allowed a maximum of three overs each. Traditional cricketing laws apply unlike the indoor version of the game that is played at Thurleston Stadium, Ipswich.

Felixstowe squad: J Rusby, M Jones, J Rock, M Cull, B Connell, P McCart, D Rock.