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NCL1: Last-ball Leicester

Wednesday, September 3 2003

Leicestershire Foxes dragged themselves out of the relegation zone in the National Cricket League First Division with a thrilling last-ball victory over Glamorgan Dragons at Sophia Gardens last night.

Hosts Glamorgan made a fairly solid start before paceman David Brignull snapped up three quick wickets in the course of taking 3/48 and reduce the hosts to 114/5 from 88/2. Michael Powell responded to this with his highest one-day score, 91* coming off 92 balls including eight fours and a six, and supported by Mark Wallace (20) and David Harrison (17*), the now-deposed defending champions posted 226/7 off their 45 overs.

When Harrison (4/44) reduced the Foxes to 52/5 all seemed lost, but wicketkeeper Paul Nixon and experienced opening batsman Trevor Ward put on 125 for the sixth wicket. When Ward (104, 109 balls, 11x4, 1x6) fell to Dragons captain Robert Croft the game was once more in the balance but it seemed that Glamorgan would triumph. However they missed an easy run out opportunity and it looked like Nixon and Jeremy Snape would see the vistors home - until Snape (21) was caught off Andrew Davies, that was. That brought Vasbert Drakes to the crease, but crucially Nixon on strike and needing five off the last two balls. A boundary off the penultimate delivery made his task easier and a single off the last ball clinched the three-wicket win, with Nixon ending on 67*.

The win takes Leicestershire two points ahead of Kent with to games to play, but the Spitfires do have a game in hand over today's winners. Glamorgan remain third in the table.

Glamorgan 226/7 (MJ Powell 91*, DS Brignull 3/48)

Leicestershire 227/7 (TR Ward 104, PA Nixon 67*, DS Harrison 4/44)

Leicestershire won by 3 wickets

CricketWeb Player of the Match - Trevor Ward (Leicestershire) - 104

Posted by Neil