EASTNOR were pipped at the post when Water Orton’s overseas batsman Ben Trew dominated a last-wicket partnership of 23 to grab a narrow onewicket win.

Batting first in damp conditions in a Birmingham League Division Two match reduced to 47 overs-aside following a late start, Atiq Ur-Rehman (42) and Jabran Khalid (36) gave Eastnor a solid base.

The pair came together with the score on 10-2 in the eighth over and shared a partnership of 78 during the next 19 overs.

After they departed with the score on 88, Sharafat Hussain (22), Josh Emery (17) and Mohammed Adeel (24) increased the run-rate.

When the score reached 141-5 with nine overs to go, a score of around 200 looked likely.

But the innings subsided with Eastnor losing their last five wickets for the addition of 21 runs, being bowled out for 162 and crucially gifting Water Orton three additional overs to get the runs.

Water Orton’s opener Matt Dawes took 16 runs off the first two overs but, after he was dismissed by Shahid Ahmed, the match swung back in Eastnor’s favour.

Shahid and Amjad Butt reduced the hosts to 39-5 by the 15th over but James Lloyd (37) then joined Trew in a patient stand of 87 for the sixth wicket.

A smart run-out by Atiq and the return of Shahid (6-39) swung the game once again and, at 141-9, the match was Eastnor’s for the taking.

But Trew (75 not out) had other ideas, taking the vast majority of the bowling and securing the win with seven balls to spare.