Eastnor 3rds win by six runs in the final over of low-scoring thriller

IN a low-scoring match at Fownhope, on the artificial wicket, a brilliant all round performance by the villagers saw a six run victory over second placed Lads Club in this Hereford Times H & DCL Division Two game.

On a day of brilliant sunshine and no rain, as was forecast, the match lasted almost the full 90 overs.

Put into bat, Rod Jarrett started well for Eastnor with a boundary off the second ball of the innings, only to be out on the third ball.

Gavin Locke and Dave Jones (24) then slowly pushed on, whilst the ever improving pair of Adam McTear (10) and Martin Loveridge (16) kept the board moving, albeit slowly. John Taylor hit a swift 21, only to fall into the trap as those had gone before, by getting in and out when they had seemed set for more runs. The bowling of Mann (4-21) was the final Eastnor undoing - all out for 105 in the 36th over.

In reply, attack was the order of the day.

Five unrewarded overs from Richard Williams gave away just six runs as Mark Wildig claimed Tim Price from a magnificent slip catch by Martin Lane with 22 runs scored in 12 overs.

Martin Loveridge and the ageless Rod Jarrett kept the pressure on, Jarrett just six runs from six overs, whilst Loveridge had Cardone (13) caught by wicket keeper McTear.

At 51-3 off 28 overs Eastnor skipper Taylor had to juggle his attack.

Gallagher (11) looked dangerous before the re-introduction of Loveridge and Wildig did the trick and the score had reached 89-9 with two overs to go.

Oldman (14no) then set up the final over, after both sides had fought a valiant battle, by hitting ten runs off Mike Jarrett only to have Gallagher bowled by Williams second ball of the final over. What a great game it was.

Mark Wildig (3-16), Rod Jarrett (3-10) and Rich Williams (2-18) were backed up by good fielding and catches as Eastnor went on to record their fourth victory in their last six games.