Old mid-Whitgiftians 178-7 Spencer 179-8

Old Mid-Whitgiftian pushed third-placed Spencer to the limit with a battling performance before finally succumbing to a two-wicket defeat on Saturday.

Mids made a solid start with the bat as their openers put together a first wicket partnership of 50. Graham Cobbett frustrated Spencer's pace attack while Phil McDonnell produced his best innings of the season but was caught at square leg for 48. Mid-innings jitters followed as Robert Warne (10) was deceived by a delivery from Adam Moon which turned sharply and both Mark Abberley and Peter James failed to trouble the scorers.

As in the previous match against Cheam, Mids were indebted to in-form captain Paul Kember who put the spinners to the sword with another fine display of stroke play. He put on 61 for the sixth wicket with Mike Brugnoli (16 not out) to help Mids reach 178 for seven from 46 overs.

This represented a tough target for Spencer to reach in 37 overs, reduced because of a rain stoppage, but their prolific Sri Lankan Hewage gave them a confident start. He hammered James Carpenter out of the attack and made good deliveries look ordinary in a high class exhibition of batting.

Mids maintained the pressure as Colin Bryan and Simon Duncan bowled a tight line and prevented Hewage from monopolising the strike. Bryan took five deserved wickets with the help of good fielding and sharp work behind the stumps from Peter James.

When Bryan finally captured the coveted wicket of Hewage for an excellent 93, the match was finely balanced with Spencer on 147 for six. David Thompson then hit Bryan for 22 in one over to alter the complexion of the match. By the time he was dismissed attempting to repeat the feat, Spencer required only six runs to win. Mids continued to fight tenaciously to the death, claiming one further wicket before Jason hit the winning run.

Mids now face a crucial relegation battle at home to Addiscombe on Saturday which will have a significant bearing on their fate.