Thriller goes to last ball

THRIPLOW and Barrington fought out a real nail-biter on Saturday with the last ball of the game ending a thrilling tie.

Having won the toss Thriplow skipper Chris Neild decided to bat first, with Godric Smith and William Russell in particular launching into the Barrington attack.

Smith soon fell for 4, after he was deceived by a slow full toss from Scott Douglas.

However, Douglas was at his devastating best, smashing 10 fours and a six before eventually being caught at midwicket for 56.

In support, under-14 batsman Ally Cliffe stroked his way to an elegant 21, with Paul Staley and Martin Craze also steady.

After one glorious straight six, Chris Vilner was run out after an optimistic call from Craze, before Jez Tuck was caught for a single with Thriplow left hanging on 134-6.

Neild then joined Craze and edged the score to 146, before Craze (24) played over a full delivery from Barry Douglas. With four overs left Neild and partner Dickon Turner began to open up, with Neild dispatching a clever four and three sixes.

Turner went for 3 after he was bowled looking for the short leg side boundary, with Neild falling in the penultimate over for 39. Nigel Morris became the last Thriplow wicket when he also went for 3, with the visitors totalling 188 - a score well short of what they had originally targeted.

However, the Barrington reply did not start too well, with Ferrari edging Nigel Morris to keeper Russell for just 2.

Jarman and Barry Douglas steadied the ship though and took the score to 50 before Jarman swung across the line to Turner's fourth delivery to be lbw for 36.

Fellow spin twin Neild was then quickly into action and the brakes went on the scoring rate, with substitute fielder John Woolley being particularly active.

Hopwood was caught at midwicket for 10 by Craze and Douglas was bowled by Neild for 45 leaving a nervous Barrington on 113-4 in the 30th over.

Turner (12-4-30-1) and Neild (12-1-49-2) then finished their spells leaving Morris and Woolley to take the Thriplow bowling to the wire.

Woolley's first over was spot on and Stuart Douglas slogged at his last delivery only to sky it to Viner who had taken the gloves.

The score edged upwards, but Scott Douglas then flicked Woolley to deep midwicket where Cliffe made a difficult catch look easy.

At 162-6, 27 runs were needed off five overs.

After a couple of missed opportunities, Smith hit Morris into the deep, where Craze took an excellent diving catch, before Davies was bowled for 22.

Two fours off Woolley's last over (10-1-53-2) put Barrington back in the driving seat, needing only five off the last over.

But Morris (11-0-36-4) kept his nerve, with just two needed from the final ball.

However, it swung far too much and the inevitable call of wide brought the scores level.

But, showing he had it all under control, Morris then put in a vicious yorker to bowl Batchelor and leave Barrington on 188-9 and the game tied.

IN an entertaining game that ebbed and flowed, Steeple Morden ran out winners over Thriplow seconds.

Thriplow openers Dan Carr and Duncan Walker took their time in weighing up the conditions but provided yet another solid start.

Both batsmen were looking to push on, having put up an opening stand in excess of 50, before Walker was bowled by Martin Osbourne for a classy 23.

Carr was joined by Gary Walters who only knows one way to play, and two quick fours heralded his arrival at the crease.

A momentary aberration however cost Walters his wicket. Believing he was heading towards the safer of the two ends when returning for a second run, Walters did not bother to ground his bat, having arrived in good time, and his stumps were thrown down by the quick thinking keeper at the other end.

Dabnor joined Carr and a poorly judged call for a quick single saw well-set Carr run out by a mile with his score on a creditable 33, as Thriplow found themselves on 79 for 3 in the 24th over.

John Deed (2) and Mark Richer (11) were both bowled trying to attack the bowling before Dabnor was dismissed for 21.

John Collins briefly threatened to pick up the reins but when he was out for 6, the remaining batsmen went cheaply and Thriplow were all out for 129.

Thriplow went in search of quick wickets and they got off to a dream start when Tom Care bowled opener Jarman for a duck in the first over.

Operating in tandem with off-spinner Richie Turner, the partnership proved a concern for Steeple who soon found themselves on 17 for 1 off the first 10 overs.

A change of bowlers was welcomed by the batsmen and as a result runs came more freely, especially for King.

While he had struggled early on, his confidence grew and he was the only Morden player who appeared comfortable in the face of more tidy bowling.

With fielding tight and excellent keeping by Nick Cliffe, Thriplow attempted to build pressure on the batting team, with wickets falling to Turner (8-2-23-1), Baron (5-0-38-1) and Dabnor (10-1-21-2).

Tom Care (10-4-18-1) was brought back into the attack to attempt to take this key wicket but King saw him off before launching a final attack on Baron and Carr to secure victory for Steeple Morden by five wickets and with four overs to spare.

Steeple had King to thank for the victory and his score of 82 not out in a total of 132 for 5 was the pick of the day's action.

HATLEY saw off Guilden Morden on Saturday, with their 168 for 8 total too much for the hosts.

Batting first, Hatley set a challenging total with Lenton top scoring with 34. In support Steele added a vital 30, with M Hooley (28) and Knibbs (27 not out) also in on the act.

Inerey was the pick of the Guilden Morden bowlers with 3-17.

In reply, Hatley bowled Guilden Morden all out for 107, with Walton top scoring for the hosts with 57.

Hatley's G Hooley had the best figures with 3-18, while Knibbs and F Hooley both took two wickets each.