A NEVER-say-die batting performance from Trevor Hatch gave Church a memorable last over victory in a thrilling cup final against Rawtenstall.

The experienced middle order batsman came to the crease with Church struggling on 28-4 and their cup dreams all but vanished.

But Hatch dug deep to produce one of the best innings' of his career to hit a match-winning 82 in a partnership with Thomas O'Neil that completely turned the tie and won the cup for Church for the first time in their history.

In fact, neither side had won the trophy since it was introduced in 1972 but it appeared it was going to be Rawtenstall who were going to get their name on the cup - up until Hatch's intervention - as everything appeared to be going right for the hosts.

First skipper Jamie Carter and opening partner William Cook-Martin gave Rawtenstall a firm foundation to build upon with knocks of 28 and 27 respectively.

And unlike the Church innings, there was no top order collapse as Paul Bingham hit a magnificent 71 before the quickly-tiring Mark Roscoe also hit a well-deserved half century.

It wasn't until the last few overs that Rawtenstall wickets began to tumble as they took chances to boost their total.

However a big total didn't seem to be necessary as Rawtenstall's bowling attack ripped into the Church batting order with Ian Woods and Andy Thomas taking three wickets between them in the first five overs.

By the time Dave Bury was bowled by Afius Ali for 10, Church were out on their feet and were in desperate need of help and Hatch and O'Neil obliged. With a run rate target at well over five per over, the pair first went about steadying the innings then made inroads into a Rawtenstall total that was becoming increasingly vulnerable.

Rawtenstall sensed a breakthrough when they finally split the partnership when O'Neil was run out for 36. However the middle order batsmen made sure the hard work work was not going to be in vain.

Simon Hargreaves helped push the total along before he was also run out for 18 before Hatch was finally bowled by Thomas which earned him a standing ovation and a hero's welcome back into the pavilion by his team-mates.

However the hard work was by no means over as the contest hung finely in the balance in the remaining four overs with John Wilkin and captain Ken Fergusson needing 24 runs off 24 ball.

With the searing heat causing bowlers problems, Wilkin and Fergusson took advantage of some wayward bowling and, going into the final over, Church were in the position of needing just four runs to win.

And fears of a nail-biting last over were promptly alleviated by Wilkin, who hit a winning boundary off the first ball of Ali's over.

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