Findon captain Nigel Waller says his team will come fighting back after losing in the semi-finals of the National Village Cup.

The Invitation League champions went out to holders Shipton-Under-Wychwood from Oxfordshire by just five runs in front of more than 750 supporters at Long Furlong on Sunday.

The visitors were restricted to 184-9 from their 40 overs as Mark Stewart took 4-20 Opener Graham Waller (56) inspired Findon's reply and John Cox made 33 at No. 8, but the total was just short on 179-9.

It was an agonising way to end an extraordinary run. Findon beat seven teams on their way to the last four but fell at the final hurdle with the final at Lord's in sight.

They won the Sussex regional finals with victories over Bletchingley, Alfriston, Glynde and Fletching, then defeated Kent champions Shipbourne, Hampshire's Easton & Martyr Worthy and Dinton, from Buckinghamshire.

Despite defeat, Waller believes Findon can take heart from becoming the first Sussex team to reach the last four.

He said: "We have done ourselves proud and although we lost, I think we all should be pleased with our achievement. Going out in the semi-finals to the holders is not bad considering we were only taking part in the competition for the second time.

"The run has done so much for the club in generating revenue and bringing supporters to the games, so it has been a real success for us.

"We would have liked to have gone one better and played at Lord's but we can't be too disappointed and there is always next year."

Findon also suffered heartache in their league game against Lindfield on Saturday where they lost by just three runs.

Lindfield declared on 144-8, with Edward Sutton (36) and Peter Weir (24) top scoring. Waller (31), John Rogers (24) and Toby Kingsbury (23) tried to inspire the reply, but Findon were all out for 141 inside 40 overs.

It dents Findon's hopes of retaining the division one title as they now trail leaders Arundel by 22 points with two weeks of the season left.

They do have a game in hand and Waller insists his side can bounce back from the double disappointment.

He said: "I don't think it will be hard to pick up the players because we are big enough and ugly enough to get on with it and focus on the next match.

"There will be a backlash from the players because we want to finish on a high and, with Arundel having a free week next week, anything can happen.

"If we do not win the league then we can still look back on this season and say we have done fantastically well but we still have a chance so it is not over yet."