HIGH-flying Aston Manor were stunned by an incredible spell of bowling from James Brinkley when he turned their seemingly strong position into defeat in the course of just five overs in Birmingham League division two at the Memorial Ground.

The Birmingham-based side were well on course to surpass OEs' total of 221 at 171-3 with 21 overs remaining.

However, Brinkley blitzed the visiting batting order with 7-27 as they collapsed to 181 all out.

Skipper Sean Cairney won the toss and elected to bat first on a good-looking track. With only one on the board, Simon Macey was bowled by Benjamin.

Sam MacNally (67) then compiled 38 with Jamie Boyle (11) before the latter was caught by Ahmed.

The fall of this wicket initiated the best partnership of the innings with Sam Smith (60) and McNally adding 106 for the third wicket. Just eight runs after McNally was run out, Smith was caught and bowled, quickly followed by two more batsmen.

Brinkley (16) and Richard Silk (19) then added a brisk 32 before Silk was bowled by Fayez, the third of his four victims.

The innings then tailed off, finishing on 221 with just one ball of the 55 overs remaining to be bowled. Fayaz (4-69) and Benjamin (3-27) were the pick of the Aston Manor attack.

The visitors got off to a solid reply with their openers scoring 34 in seven overs before Brinkley had Sehn caught by Chris Pearman.

Partnerships continued to be built and although Matt Sprague (1-31) and Smith (1-27) had some success, the visitors looked to be on course for victory.

However, the reintroduction of Brinkley completely turned the game in OEs' favour.

His eighth and ninth overs conceded just four runs, but he claimed two wickets in his 10th over, two wickets in his 11th and a further two wickets in what was to be the final over of the game.

In a spell of just 4.5 overs, Brinkley (7-27), along with Jamie Alford (1-39), reduced the visitors from 171-3 to 181 all out.

Brinkley's second spell saw him net six wickets for only eight runs -- a truly match-winning performance.

OEs' Seconds just failed in their attempt to beat Aston Manor in the game in Great Barr and had to be content with a winning draw.

Having been inserted, OEs' started brightly with Chris Dale and Steve Burgoyne at the crease. The pair added 57 in 11 overs before Dale departed for a run-a-ball 38.

Mike Payne then came to the crease to add a further 28 before Burgoyne was unluckily dismissed playing-on for 38.

With James Bull falling cheaply it was left to Pete Boyle (38) and Mike Payne to play the pivotal roles in what was to become a creditable batting display by the visitors.

Payne fell for 39 in the 26th over after adding 67 for the fourth wicket with Boyle.

Useful contributions from Mike Stephens (17) and Stuart Tipper (20) were followed by Chris Hopwood who made 18.

Liam Booth then added a late flurry of runs as OEs' ended their overs on 259-9.

The Aston Manor reply was pegged back straight away when Booth clean bowled opener Tom Gould in the second over.

Rahim (28) and Andy Forman then added 38 for the second wicket but the home side were still behind the run rate. Forman played forcefully in a superb partnership with 14-year-old county star Asif Ravid, adding 103 for the third wicket before Forman was out for 64.

The final 10 overs started with the game in the balance, but the reintroduction of Booth changed the face of the match.

He caused all the batsmen problems and when he had Ravid caught at the wicket for a superb 85 any chance of a home win disappeared.

The draw still looked the most likely outcome but for a devastating final over. With three wickets to claim for the win Booth clean bowled batsmen with the second and third deliveries leaving Aston Manor to negotiate the final three balls. Balls four and five were played back but the final delivery saw Knowles push forward gloving, the ball to silly mid-off who was unable to hold the catch.