With the potential threat of relegation hanging over them Marlborough 3rd XI faced a must win encounter at home to third placed Blunsdon in their final league fixture of the season.

Captain Charlie Jewell lost the toss and the “Trees” were inserted into bat. Openers Rohit Gurjar and Steve Jones ran tentatively between the wickets in the opening overs, cautious perhaps after a run out between the pair last weekend. Knowing also the importance of an opening stand will be key in posting a decent total.

The pair saw off the opening spells from the Blunsdon bowlers and enjoyed the change in bowling. Jones in particular struck three consecutive fours off the 12th over. Gurjar found the square leg boundary off the Blunsdon leg spinner on a couple of occasions as Marlborough reached 90+ without loss at drinks. The biggest opening stand of the season and what a time to do it. Unfortunately the pair were unable to carry on that momentum post drinks with Jones (43) and Gurjar (40) dismissed in quick succession.

Niloy Saha also fell cheaply as the “Trees” were on the back foot for the first time in the match. Rob Atkinson and Aedan Murphy were now at the crease looking to rekindle their match winning partnership in the previous home encounter against Lacock. Atkinson took a likening to the Blunsdon leg spinner whilst Murphy pounced on anything short as runs began to flow for the pair once again. But Atkinson got his comeuppance for 22 when he miscued a pull to deep mid wicket.

Dave Slater entered the crease and struggled to find his rhythm at first, he was happy to give the strike to Murphy who continued to hit the ball powerfully and find the boundary. Murphy had a couple of lives before eventually skying a bouncer with the return catch taken by the bowler for (40). His highest Marlborough score to date and third 30+ score this season.

Chandan Vaishnav joined Slater at the crease with 225 - the bare minimum required now to achieve maximum batting points. The pair ran 1s and 2s hard between the wickets whilst hitting the occasional boundary. Going into the final over the “Trees” required two runs to reach 225. Chandan top edged an attempted pull and was caught by the wicketkeeper. Stewart Williamson ensured Marlborough reached their target with a boundary before being bowled by the last ball of the innings. Slater ended unbeaten on 32 as Marlborough posted 229-7, a really good team effort after being put into bat.

In reply “Trees” opening bowlers Charlie Jewell and Inderjeet Singh struggled to find the initial breakthrough with Blunsdon captain Dave Bott putting the bad balls to the boundary. Bott was amongst the highest run scorers in the league and was seen as the main danger man. Jewell was unlucky not to get the prize scalp when an inside edge went to just past his stumps. The bowlers kept the pressure on Bott’s opening partner and captain Jewell was rewarded when he hit a short ball to Inderjeet at mid on.

Chandan and Jewell bowled accurately in tandem to the new batsman which saw the run rate fall. Jewell finished his spell with an excellent 9-1-31-1. Atkinson replaced Jewell with his off spin with the captain now ploying a defensive field to stem the runs of Bott and bringing in the field to keep the pressure on the new batsmen.

Atkinson immediately found his rhythm and Chandan continued probing with his off stump line as Marlborough held the momentum going into drinks. After drinks Atkinson switched to the pavilion stand end with Williamson coming on at the other as Marlborough maintained a grip of the run rate. A pearler from Atkinson saw the “Trees” gain a much needed breakthrough and a second for him soon followed but the dangerous Bott still remained. Atkinson should have had third but Inderjeet foiled an opportunity at mid off.

With the run rate increasing Bott was taking greater risks and Chandan spilled a difficult chance at mid off to dismiss him. Bott’s luck ran out shortly afterwards with Inderjeet providing the crucial breakthrough; captain Jewell clinging on to the catch. Chandan atoned for his earlier drop as Inderjeet struck his second blow in quick succession - the fifth Blunsdon wicket to fall.

Marlborough were all too aware of the strength of the Blunsdon batting line-up even though they held the initiative with the visitors requiring 94 runs off the final ten overs. But a combination of poor bowling and sloppy fielding saw the visitors draw closer to their target. The pressure was clearly getting to the Marlborough players and captain Jewell was frantically getting the fielders set in the right fielding positions. Atkinson grabbed his third wicket lbw but it failed to stem the flow of runs.

When wicketkeeper Dave Slater let through four byes in the 43rd over many “Trees” players thought the game was up. A few first team players turned up willing the team on from the sidelines. Going into the final over Blunsdon required four runs for victory with the experienced Atkinson given the responsibility of bowling it. Niloy Saha inflicted a run out off the first ball to remove the set batsman and give the “Trees” the perfect start.

With all fielders inside the circle Atkinson knew he had to bowl full and on an off stump line. The batsmen scampered through for two byes off the wicketkeeper’s helmet meaning one run to tie and two to win. It came down to the final ball of the season. Tensions rose at Atkinson came in, the batsman missed the ball and went into the gloves of wicketkeeper Slater. Atkinson held his nerve and Marlborough gained an unlikely win by the barest of margins 1 run! Cue jubilation and relief amongst the Marlborough players. With other results going in their favour Marlborough 3rd XI will remain in Division Six for another season.