Old Mid-Whitgiftian will try to complete an astonishing escape from relegation from Shepherd Neame Division One when they host Beddington on Saturday.

The top-order batsmen, who have missed out so often this summer, finally produced an excellent display during last Saturday's 41-run victory over Purley at Lime Meadow.

Openers Gary Butcher and Jamal Babu took advantage of the late arrival of Purley's opening bowling attack to give their side a good start and Purley had to wait for David Thompson to enter the attack to find the breakthrough.

Thompson bowled Babu for 15 but Stewart Sales (62) and Butcher (57) kept Mids firmly on top, adding 91 for the second wicket and accumulating patient half-centuries.

Even after Butcher was eventually out caught by Scott at backward point off Hamilton, Mids never looked like losing their way despite some tidy bowling from the Purley side.

After Sales was out stumped, Robert Warne (33 not out) and James Howgate (26) guided them to 223 for four before Mike Brugnoli declared after 56 overs.

Purley made an awful start in reply as Jason Lewis left a straight delivery from Butcher and was bowled in the first over but David Thompson looked a threat, hitting 27 very quickly before being given out lbw to Butcher.

The Purley batsmen continued to play their shots and kept a good momentum but their somewhat gung-ho' approach also served to bring about their downfall. Indeed, had Mids taken a greater percentage of the numerous chances that came their way in the field, the win would have been much more comfortable.

Scott (12), Balasubramaniam (23) and Hamilton (19) all promised much but were unable to convert a good start into a big score.

After Hamilton was caught by Winter off Babu, two further wickets fell straight away to leave Purley deep in trouble on 105-8.

However, Mids almost let another healthy position slip as Josh Stewart, batting at number ten, produced a terrific half-century.

Stewart smashed 54 off just 41 balls including four fours and four sixes to leave the OMW fielders and spectators with a few furrowed brows.

It came as some relief to Mids when Stewart was given out lbw to Butcher but there was still work to be done.

Last pair Nathan Harris, who batted solidly for an unbeaten 20, and Tony Morris offered stubborn resistance for almost eight overs until Morris played a delivery from Babu on to his stumps to hand Mids a deserved victory.

Butcher finished with 4 for 69 while Babu returned excellent figures of 4 for 20.

Despite their win, Mids remain outsiders in the battle for survival and must now beat Beddington in Saturday's final fixture and hope that second-from-bottom Pyrford fail to beat Banstead if they are to play Division 1 cricket next season.