Claverham and Winterbourne rarely play out dull matches and this was no exception. Watched by the largest crowd of the season so far, Claverham held their nerve to win a last ball thriller.

Electing to bat first the home side moved along steadily to pass 100 for no wicket with Rich Horton(50) and Paul Bird (70) again in the runs. After they departed wickets tumbled regularly until a late flurry from Keith Miles (11) and Nigel Cheeseright (25no) helped the total to 196 for 9, a little short of the target, but likely to test the opposition on a wicket that had played low and slow all day.

Always a strong batting side, Winterbourne set about the target at pace, Claverham know how to defend a total though and skipper Roger Hooper and his on-field advisory team tried every trick in the book as they attacked the visiting batsmen. The ploy of setting unusual fields and constantly changing the bowling attack began to unsettle the experienced Winterbourne top order and one by one having got themselves in they soon got themselves out again. Nigel Cheeseright picking up 3-19 from 12 immaculate overs in three different spells was excellent, as was in form Rich Coombes(4 for 71), who survived an early onslaught from John Oakes (42) to come back and pick up 4 wickets.

The game moved to the final over, bowled by skipper Hooper, who held his nerve to see League leaders Claverham home by one run on the last ball of the match.