NORTON Lindsey and Wolverton CC suffered an agonising one-wicket final over defeat against Long Itchington.
Norton posted 199 all out from their 45 overs as Dave McInnes starred batting at number eight for the visitors at Whitehall Farm.
Long Itchington looked well set for victory after the home side’s opening three batters all managed 40-plus scores.
However, a flurry of late wickets kept Norton in the contest only for Long Itchington to score the winning runs with four balls to spare despite a five-wicket haul for Tom Wilcox.
The result means Norton sit second in the Cotswold Hills League First Division table, 33 points behind leaders Exhall and Wixford.
Long Itchington won the toss and elected to field as Norton opener Harry Clarke (1) fell in the second over of the match.
Simba Mudimu (17) departed soon after while Norton skipper Andrew Dellow (0) fell for a two-ball duck in the same over as Robert Smith (2-36) left the visitors on 21-3.
Joseph Williamson (17) and Wilcox (28) helped rebuild the innings somewhat only for Tom Cooper (3-15) to bowl opener Williamson which sparked another mini collapse.
Cooper claimed the scalp of Wilcox soon after and also took the wicket of Matifadza Mafuwa (2) while Matthew Edwards (1) fell cheaply with Norton in trouble on 75-7.
However, Warwickshire seniors pair McInnes (87) Steve Bliwert (19) combined for a remarkable 111-run eighth-wicket stand to keep Norton in the contest.
McInnes powered past a half-century in a 73-ball knock which included 15 boundaries and four maximums while Bliwert faced 66 deliveries in a patient innings.
Norton closed on 199 all out with Nick Frost (0) run out on the final delivery of the innings.
Long Itchington made a confident start in reply as openers Jack Collyer (56) and Sam Bishop (44) produced a 114-run first-wicket partnership.
However, Mudimu (3-51) removed both openers and Cooper (1) only for Luke Brotherton (48) and 25 wides to put the home side on the brink of victory on 183-4.
Norton rallied and took five wickets for the loss of just 16 runs to propel themselves back into contention.
Wilcox (5-24) enjoyed a devastating spell as he accounted for Brotherton, James Scott (0), Joe Scott (3), Jacob May (0) and Jake Haden (1).
The Norton bowler claimed the scalp of Haden with Long Itchington one run from victory while Steve Dellow (1-11) bowled Freddie Calcutt (15) with the home side still a run short of the required total.
Norton needed a single wicket to deny Long Itchington victory in the final over as Smith (4 not out) found the rope to bring an end to a thrilling contest.
Norton Lindsey are next in action against Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday, June 27 with play to begin at 12.30pm at Wolverton Road.
Elsewhere, Norton’s second XI suffered a similarly close defeat after losing by 12 runs against Bretforton 2nds.
Bretforton won the toss and elected to bat only for Jack Mann (2-34) and Martin Hall (3-13) to take early wickets to leave the visitors on 12-3 at Wolverton Road.
However, Bretforton’s middle order frustrated the Norton attack as Steven Edghill (20), Will Evans (46) and Will Lloyd (59) boosted the away side’s total.
Steve Webber (2-48) removed both Edghill and Evans which left Bretforton on 86-5 only for Lloyd’s half-century to boost the away side’s total.
Hall returned to clean up the tail while Dave Jarrett (2-31) also chipped in with a couple of wickets with Bretforton all out for 186 in 40 overs.
Norton made a strong start in reply as openers Dan Fell (40) and Richard Monk (7) enjoyed a 36-run partnership for the first wicket.
Monk’s dismissal brought Mark White (61) to the crease who endured 91 balls on his way to a half century while he formed a solid partnership with Jarrett (29).
However, none of Norton’s other batters managed double figures as White remained at the crease until the end of innings.
Bretforton eventually ran out White with the home side still 13 runs short of victory in the 40th over.
