A THRILLING last-gasp victory has kept Bartestree & Lugwardine ’s outside chance of grabbing the GB Liners Marches League Division One title alive.

In the only top-flight game played on Saturday due to the poor weather, the villagers’ chance of success appeared to have gone in their home match against reigning champions Luctonians when they required seven runs from the final ball.

However, a wide brought the target to six from the last delivery and Matt Ashcroft was equal to the task, lifting the ball back over the bowler’s head for a maximum.

Earlier, Duncan Platford (52) and his son James (92) had been the key figures on Luctonians’ score of 217-5, sharing in a second-wicket stand of 156.

Matt Deem (35) and the experienced David Robinson (43) batted well as Bartestree edged towards their target but the challenge was still considerable when Nick Frith (21 not out) and Ashcroft (9 no) came together with the score at 185-8.

Bartestree still trail leaders Garnons and second-placed Goodrich with two games remaining but entertain Garnons on the season’s final day when, depending on results this weekend, any one of the three sides could still clinch the title.

Elsewhere, Tom Ammonds fired Shobdon to success over Talgarth in Division Two with a fine spell of 6-15 which keeps the north Herefordshire club well in contention for a promotion spot.

And, in Division Three, George Cotterell blasted a superb innings of 141 to lift Garnons 2nd’s hopes of avoiding the drop with a 83-run win over Shirebulls.