TILLINGHAM Cricket Club cemented their second-place in division two of the T Rippon Mid-Essex League with a thrilling last-ball victory over Rayleigh Fairview.

Bowling first, Tillingham struck two early breakthroughs thanks to two vicious back-of-length deliveries from Terry Stiffell, which seamed away and lifted on the batsmen, who both edged behind.

However, from eight for two, Fairview recovered thanks to Neel Sandhu (73) who smashed 21 off Hayman’s fourth over. He found good support from Crompton (39) and skipper Lawson (47) before a flurry of late wickets from new-arrival Chris Ryan (three for 55) pegged Fairview back to 225 for nine in their 45 overs.

Tillingham’s reply started disastrously as they were reduced to ten for two, but Michael Clay, promoted up the order to number four, made 36 and Warren hit 27 to begin the fight back.

A faultless 52 from Stiffell took the hosts close before he was yorked by Lawson.

Bell (18), Shipton (15) and Hayman (15 not out) all chipped in down the order, but it was left to Ryan to hit nine from the final over.

The first 3 balls all yielded twos, leaving three needed from three deliveries.

Two more singles from the next two balls left Ryan needing one from the final ball.

A perfect leg-cutter beat his bat but a fumble from the keeper allowed Hayman to scamper through for a bye and clinch a thrilling victory.

The result leaves Tillingham 23 points clear of third-placed Terling.