Church 181 for 8 (50 overs)

Lowerhouse 180 for 8 (50 overs)

On an evening of scarcely-believable drama in the gloom, Church pulled a victory out of the fire that few had dared to think possible even a quarter of an hour before captain Philip Gilrane hit the winning run off the very last ball.

Most fans would have settled for a couple of bonus points but the captain managed to keep all options open even after a sickening injury to brave number 10 batsman Pete Rowbottom.

When the ever-loyal Rowbo staggered off, felled by a bouncer in fading light at, effectively, 158 with the last pair together, Gilrane and Sam Tucker simply refused to contemplate consolation prizes and they ran Lowerhouse ragged to provide a final twist on a see-saw afternoon.

Andy Bentley had claimed three early wickets and Tucker brilliantly stumped danger man Chris Bleazard off the captain as Church assumed early supremacy after a late start with an umpire not arriving till 1.30pm.

The visitors rallied but Levi Wolfenden removed Cottam one short of his collection and Heap and Beneduce were run out after helping the Liverpool Rd men recover.

Our sub pro Mohammed Siddiq was a disappointment, wicketless and getting some stick, and old adversary Neil Holmes, subbing for Lowerhouse clubbed a late few to cap a somewhat unsatisfactory effort in the field from our boys towards the end of their innings,

It looked even worse at 42 for 4 in reply, the excellent Joe Hawke accounting for Ryan North and Adam Greenwood with Sag Hussain, after a promising 20, and the hapless Siddiq back in the tent.

Sykes was fifth out after a stubborn display and you wouldn’t’ve backed Church with stolen money at that point.

But Sam Holt, with a patient and mature 39, and Levi Wolfenden rebuilt the innings with an impressive and crucial stand of 36, laying a platform for the astonishing events to come.

Gilly clobbered 14 off three balls to sway momentum slightly back our way but his assumption of responsibility, ably assisted by the lower order, was far from hysterical and distinguished by patience and plain old common sense, keeping a cool, calculating head as many around panicked.

With 14 needed off two overs though there were still few backing Church. But the bad light proved difficult for fielders too and the seven required off the last over were deservedly and euphorically chalked off with Phil's edge to clinch it off the last ball - simply stunning stuff at 8.37pm.

Just a pity there weren't more on to witness and cheer a very famous Church triumph.

*Both sides may be deducted 1 point for slow over rates