OAKMERE rookie Nick Ball made a dream debut with the bat to deny Davenham.

The 14-year-old was the star of the show as his team edged a thrilling derby tussle at Oakmere with just one over to spare.

Ball, batting at number seven, hit an unbeaten 36.

Coming to the crease after his side had lost top scorers Paul Yearsley (47) and Pete Hutchinson (37), he showed remarkable calm to crack two fours in the penultimate over to help Oakmere to maximum points.

Earlier, Davenham won the toss and chose to bat first.

Louis Bentley was caught brilliantly by Hutchinson in the slips before the prize wicket of Dave Ashley fell following sharp thinking behind the stumps from wicketkeeper John Owen.

The best was yet to come as Andy Beswick reacted instinctively to catch Davenham captain Mark Greaves one-handed.

Oakmere were on top with their guests going nowhere on 85-5 but Ben Gough steadied his side's innings to guide them to a more respectable 172-9.

Beswick topped the bowling figures with 4-37.

Gough was in the thick of the action at the close as he charged in at Ball, but the youngster held firm.

l Oakmere rounded off an excellent weekend by securing a spot in the National Village Knockout regional final.

Stand-in skipper Pete Hutchinson fell just three runs shy of his maiden century in an opening stand of 147 with Sid Kara (70).

Oakmere finished on 197-5 as their opponents, Welsh side Llanrawdre, struggled to make progress.

They kept pace with the required run rate early on, despite tight bowling from Andy Norton (2-48) and Hutchinson (2-34).

But the Welshmen finished eight runs short following a superb final over by Chris Nelson.

l Oakmere face another local rival this weekend when they travel to Weaverham in a Meller Braggins Division One match.

Davenham will play host to Hale Barns at Butchers Stile.

In Division Two, Barnton make the short journey to Mere, while Winsford entertain CH Ladybridge.