CRICKET: A DRAMATIC final ball decider didn’t go the way of Berkswell as Dominic Ostler’s side missed out on winning the Graham Williamson Trophy against Ombersley on Sunday afternoon.
Batting first, Berkswell made the worst possible start losing Chris Whittock (0) off the final delivery of the first over.
Tom Milnes and Nick James looked at ease at the crease and were able to get the scoreboard ticking over.
During the course of the next 12 overs, the partnership added 69 runs but James (29) was then run out by an Oliver Uffindall throw.
Timing the ball to perfection, Milnes continued to keep the scorers busy as did Dominic Ostler as the pairing combined to add another 85 runs to the total in sixteen overs.
However, at 158, Milnes (78) was then adjudged lbw much to his dismay – his innings of 83 balls containing 10 fours.
With the scoreboard reading 173, Ostler (51) was bowled – but his replacement Stephen Parker, and his short innings of 13 balls, entertained the crowd before he lost his wicket having made a brisk 20. Liam Gately added a further six runs to the scoreboard before James Neale (25*) and Ryan Sidebottom (31) saw Berkswell through to the end of the 40th over and a final total of 255 for the loss of 7 wickets.
Ombersley opened their innings with Liam Gwynne and Jack Haynes, and the pair both reached their half centuries until they both fell to stunning athletic catches by Ostler off his own bowling.
Uday Kaul and Nick Hammond also made half centuries to push the home side to within 25 runs of victory, but the loss of their wickets in the 37th and 38th overs put the pressure back on the Ombersley batsmen.
Two big sixes by Gareth Andrew in the 39th over pushed Ombersley to 250 at the start of the 40th over.
Ombersley required six runs off the final six balls – and that was changed to six runs off four balls when two dot balls from Sidebottom followed.
Simon Harwood (0) was then run out and Uffindall was given lbw off the next ball.
With two balls remaining, Dominic D’Oliveira made his way to the crease with six runs still needed for a home side victory.
He clipped his first ball to the mid-wicket boundary for four runs – meaning Berkswell had to prevent two runs from the final ball.
He then cut the ball square to the offside boundary off the final ball to claim the win for Ombersley and leave Berkswell disheartened at the end of a thrilling last over and pulsating match.
