In a showdown full of unexpected turns, Hanham cricket club triumphed, beating Cleeve by 25 runs.

Cleeve, despite the notable efforts of skipper Sam Williams, ran out of wickets in the final stages of the match, which took place on September 11.

Hanham, choosing to bat first on the high-quality Cleeve pitch, commenced with a steady start.

The opening pace attack of Andy Barnsley and Glenn Lewin, and later the left arm seam from Jack Spiers, all failed to make a significant impact.

First big success came from Nat Pinkney's introduction of seam and an impressive catch by Mitch Want, taking out Hanham's Stone for 38 runs, leading to a score of 74 for one in the 18th over.

Thereafter, Mitch Want's right arm off spin led to Alway's exit, leaving the match hanging in the balance at 102-2 in the 25th over.

Thus, despite Jalal Ahmed’s unsuccessful 4 over of off spin for 26, Hanham had made decent headway.

Williams' introduction to the game in the 30th over signalled a change in Cleeve's fortune.

The skipper took out Davis for nine runs and succeeded in eliminating five more players, including Hanham’s captain Robbins.

Alex Soch and Barnsley caught Paget and Pugsley, while Knight was bowled for 26.

Afterwards, Stone got caught LBW for no score.

Williams' impressive bowling performance saw him clinch six wickets within just 8.1 overs for 46, leaving Hanham at 227 for eight at the end of 45 overs.

In response, both of Cleeve's opening batsmen Want and Williams were caught out early on, leaving the score at 34-2 in the 11th over.

This was followed by further losses of Lewin, Barnsley, Pinkney, Birt and Soch, with Mollie Robbins claiming three wickets at this stage.

However, Nat Pinkney charged into Hanham's attack, successfully scoring 33 runs from just 17 balls, propelling Cleeve's total to 150-8 in the 34th.

Following two further losses, the last Cleeve pair, Spiers and Ahmed, managed to add another 52 runs before Ahmed was caught out for 16, leaving Spiers not out 22 and Cleeve 25 runs short of victory.

Despite this loss, Cleeve remains in fifth place securing eight points, which guarantees senior division cricket for them next year.

With just three matches remaining, Cleeve aims to return to winning form in their upcoming match against the Pak Bristolians.