St Pierre edge nail-biter

THIS is what evening league cricket is all about. Last night's thrilling encounter between DHS St Pierre and Praxis Pessimists had everything - top quality shots as well as streaky edges for four, some accurate bowling but also some erratic and the odd piece of brilliance in the field coupled with some vital drops.

It was no wonder that it was a see-saw battle which neither side was prepared to win until St Pierre captain Andy Burkhardt sandwiched one fluke four down to third man with two sweet boundaries to guide his side home with a ball to spare.

His opposite number knew Pessimists had had their chances, but he remained upbeat.

'We beat them off the penultimate ball the last time so you could say we are closely matched,' Dave Piesing said.

The Pessis skipper certainly had plenty to be positive about.

Not only did James Warr show his class once again with an unbeaten 62, but teenager Will Thompson impressed hugely with his contribution to an unbroken third-wicket stand of 85.

'It is not bad for a 14-year-old to score 38 off 30 balls, is it? There were some good shots in there as well,' Piesing said.

For St Pierre, Jarrod Avery was the main contributor with the bat with 41, making the most of Pierre Moody putting him down at long-off when on 17. Several others, particularly Carl Le Tissier, chipped in with useful contributions.

The match was also noteworthy for the return of St Pierre's new signing, former island paceman Mark Culver-well, after suspension.