OAKMERE'S game against Hale Barns produced a nail biting finish on Saturday as they outfit fell just four runs short of their opponents' total.

After winning the toss, skipper Paul Yearsley hoped to make use of the dry, dusty track asking his opponents to bat first at Overdale Lane.

The plan seemed to be working as all but one of the top order were removed fairly comfortably with excellent catching from Pete Hutchinson and Paul Guilford in the slips.

The one thorn in the Oakmere side came from Hale Barns' overseas player Kahn who made a steady knock of 107 not out in his team's final total was 186-6.

Oakmere's batsmen made steady work of reaching their target but always looked slightly behind the run rate. Paul Guilford (64) and Chris Leech (35 not out) then produced a tremendous come back with Guilford producing some huge blows into the neighbouring fields.

Although the victory always looked unlikely, it wasn't until the penultimate ball of the match that it was mathematically impossible for Oakmere to win.

Despite that, Leech still finished with a six over mid-on to leave Oakmere four runs short on 182-5.