Winsley Cricket Club retained their Chippenham Indoor League title on Sunday with a close and hard fought victory against fellow title contenders Biddestone by four wickets with two balls to spare.
Just like last year the league had gone down to a final winner take all match to decide the title, with defending champions Winsley this time needing a win or tie but for Biddestone only a win would be enough.
Winsley skipper Neil Harris won the toss and elected to bowl and Biddestone scored steadily for the first few overs.
Some tight bowling from the father-son combination of Peter and Simon Orchard, a run out by Orchard Senior and Harris and finally paceman Andrew Cross clean bowling Biddestone’s last man left Winsley needing 88 for the title.
A poor start in reply left Winsley struggling, as Paul Berry was run out going for a risky single off only the second ball.
Some tight bowling by Biddestone bowlers Marsh and Merriman put Winsley further behind the clock before some fine hitting from Peter Orchard got Winsley back on track.
Needing 31 off the last three overs, Andrew Cross and man-for-a-crisis Keith Potter got Winsley to within sight of victory, with Potter scoring the title-winning runs for the second year in-a-row.
Winning captain Neil Harris paid tribute to Biddestone but felt his side were worthy winners: “It was an excellent game which could have gone either way with 10 balls to go.
“Biddestone played very well but perhaps our extra experience paid off in the end.
“After our experience this year of getting to Taunton and the last 16 nationally, we will be looking to go all the way to Lord’s next year.”
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