STAPLETON tied for a second successive week after finishing all square with neighbours Downend in a tense Martin Berrill Sports Bristol & District League derby that went down to the wire.
Visitors Downend lost the toss and were chasing leather as Stapleton reached 324-7 from their 45 thanks to Alfie Lewis (79), Dan Lambert (72), opener Ed Chidgey (58) and George McEndoo (53).
But Downend also enjoyed the conditions, taking control of this Senior Division clash to reach 292-3 in the 40th over.
The momentum shifted, though, when McEndoo dismissed opener Dave Goodway for a run-a-ball 114 (14 fours, three sixes).
And that was the signal for Babar Pervaiz to taking centre stage, claiming taking three wickets in the 43rd over of the match.
Downend went into the final over still needing five runs for victory and two wickets in hand. But Pervais completed his five-for off the first delivery, conceded a boundary from the next ball which levelled the scores – and then took his sixth wicket to ensure the tie!
Pervais finished with terrific final figures of 6-46 from 8.3 overs for Stapleton who also tied last weekend, against Claverham.
Downend stay second with a lead of 18 points over closest rivals Coalpit Heath who nipped in by one wicket at home to Hanham, Mike Barrett contributing a vital unbeaten 24.
Three teams look set to drop down from this division because of events in WEPL, and it’s still between four clubs with two remaining rounds of games to go.
Claverham are now bottom on 140 points after a seven wicket reverse at Winterbourne while Hanham are on 142 following their defeat at Coalpit Heath.
Portishead (152) went down by 25 runs away to champions-elect Bath 2nds while Cleeve are on 153 following a 50-run loss away to Golden Hill 2nds.
Bristol 3rds have one hand on the Division Two trophy after a 47-run home win against Bishopston 2nds, Suyash Sachan top scoring with an unbeaten 110 off 80 (13 fours, five sixes).
Shirehampton are up to second after a 47-run win at Bohemians which was completed as Knowle 2nds, who began the day in the runners up slot, went down by seven wickets at home to their Twyford House counterparts.
One of the innings of the day came in Division Six where opener Fayyaz Mannan cracked 165 off 97 (18 fours, nine six) for promotion chasing Pak Bristolians 2nds who overcame Durham & Hinton by 122 runs.