The Bears inched home with 1 ball to spare in a thrilling run chase led by Russell Turner to grab a crucial 30 points against league leaders Abingdon Vale.
The weather looked dubious and the game was ultimately restricted to 87 overs due to two rain breaks but the wicket was in decent condition and the key top of the table clash was played out while the two's had been rained off the day before with the Vale ground being submerged.
Losing the toss, the Ridge were put in the field and despite a few early lusty blows from Cook, Welsh and Brzezicki again took control with accurate bowling that frustrating the opposition batsmen. Two quick wickets reduced Vale to 21-2 and then Welsh had Vale no. 3 Humpage caught in the covers by Cooper off a loose shot borne of being tied down for some time. Vale did however ease there way back into the game with some sensible batting, nudging ones and two and picking off the rare bad ball. However the drinks break did the trick again with Captain Tilley caught at mid-on and then Cook caught and bowled as Welsh added to his tally for the season.
122-8 off 50 overs was never going to be a walk in the park with the wet outfield and a slow wicket and it looked a bigger total when Middleton was out second ball. Bird and Keeping quickly followed and the Ridge were three down before Welsh also departed LBW. Turner was however going about his business with aplomb and finding the boundary on occassions. He found a partner on Morf who made a significant contribution and both batters began to steady the ship and at 77-4 with 17 overs remaining, the Ridge looked in charge. However the rain fell and 9 overs were lost leaving the Bears with a 46 run chase in 8 overs. Morf and Russell made a good start getting the rate to below 5 an over but the loss of both these batters kept Vale in with a sniff. 4 off 7 balls was reduced to 1 off 2 as Dave Bird went in to punch his first ball to cover and snatch the crucial winning run. Another thriller against Abingdon, the title race could be somewhat similar.
