BRADLEY Stoke and Coalpit Heath tied a tremendous match which affected both the top and the bottom of the Senior Division table in the Martin Berrill Bristol & District League.
Heavy rain led to a delayed start and a 25-over contest with promotion-chasing Bradley Stoke reaching 181-6 after losing the toss at home.
Opener Tom Laver (62), Matt Peach (38) and Owen Onslow (25) shone with Aaron Neal claiming 2-38 and Jack Williams taking 1-21 from four.
Heath, fighting to avoid the drop, lost an early wicket before Dave Hilton crashed 61 off 58 to put his side in the hunt.
Dayfdd Nicholas kept the heat on in such style that the visitors began the last over needing only two runs to win.
But Laver came into the attack with dramatic effect, capturing a wicket with his first ball and conceding just one run as two more wickets fell to run outs – including the dismissal of captain Pete Lamb off the final delivery of the game – to leave the sides all square with Nicholas unbeaten on 75 from 60.
The result leaves Bradley Stoke needing two points from their final outing, away to Clevedon 2nds, to seal the second promotion spot to WEPL behind champions Bedminster 2nds.
Shirehampton are relegated with Clevedon – beaten at Timsbury by 20 runs – and Coalpit Heath now set to battle it out on the final weekend for eighth place and survival.
Elevated from Division One as champions are Winterbourne 2nds who completed a seven-wicket home success in a rain-affected date with Bristol Pakistanis.
The visitors were bowled out for 101, Jack Studley grabbing 5-18 from four, before opener Chris Kay (28) led Winterbourne’s charge.
There’s an exciting end to the season in Division Three where it’s still any two from three for promotion.
Pakistani Express, top at the start of the day, slipped to third after losing by seven wickets away to Hambrook who moved up a place to second.
The new leaders are Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nds who completed a 20-run home victory against Frampton Cotterell.
Shahid Malik hit 54 in the Express total of 148-9 off 28 but Hambrook reached the target with almost six overs in hand, Krunal Visavadia starring with an unbeaten 60.
Shawn Bennett crashed 72 for BWIP in a 25-over challenge of 184-4, Tom Virgo wrapping up the points with figures of 4-22 from five.