A CENTURY from opener Harry Clarke inspired Norton Lindsey and Wolverton CC to a dramatic four-wicket win against Ashton-under-Hill.
Clarke smashed 111 runs from 125 balls which included 13 fours and three sixes with Norton in pursuit of 281 runs for victory at Elmley Road.
Norton still needed 10 runs from the final over as the visitors scored the required runs to seal a four-wicket win with three balls to spare.
The result means Norton sit third in the Cotswold Hills League First Division table.
Ashton won the toss and elected to bat as openers Jack Perks (70) and Jamie Munro (35) put on 104 runs for the first wicket.
Mark Reading (3-62) eventually broke up the partnership but Giovanni Capaldi (66 not out) kept the runs ticking over as Ashton went beyond the 250-run mark and closed on 280-7.
Norton made a strong start in reply as Clarke (111) and Jake Rushton (23) put on 59 runs for the first wicket,
And Simba Mudimu (64) then blasted a half-century in a quickfire 43-ball knock to propel Norton to 179-2 as the latter fell to the bowling of Capaldi (3-74).
Captain Andrew Dellow (18) added useful runs as he batted through an injury to boost Norton’s total as Tom Archer (2-27) finally accounted for Clarke.
Norton needed 30 runs from the last three overs and 10 runs from the last six balls as three wides and a huge six from Olly Watson (18 not out) guided the visitors to victory.
Elsewhere, Norton’s second XI claimed a seven-wicket win against Lapworth 2nds at Wolverton Road.
Norton bowled Lapworth out for 100 in just 25 overs as only three visiting batters managed double figures.
Lapworth lost their final five wickets for the addition of just 17 runs as Steve Dellow (4-15), Dave Jarrett (2-12) and Jack Mann (2-18) did the damage with the ball.
Norton opener Dan Fell (62) scored a quick half-century in reply and put on 85 runs for the opening wicket with Mark White (28).
And Richard Monk (five not out) scored the winning runs with the final ball of the 18th over.
Norton travel to Kineton 2nds on Saturday, May 16 with play to begin at 12.30pm at Bridge Street.
Norton 2nds also host Kenilworth 3rds on Saturday, May 16 with play to begin at 1pm at Wolverton Road.
