Workington suffered the agony of a last ball defeat to St Anne’s in their National Cup clash at the weekend.
The west Cumbrians had been bowled-out for 205 in 39.1 overs and at the conclusion of their reply the home side needed nine off the final over with two wickets left.
Workington skipper Matthew Lowden took responsibility by saving himself for the 40th and final over which started with two runs and a dot ball.
Crucially a boundary off the third delivery put St Anne’s within touching distance but Lowden hit back with another dot ball.
Three runs were required off the final two deliveries and after two from the penultimate ball a single off the last took them over the finishing line.
But in the final analysis for Workington it wasn’t about the final over so much but about the amount of wides they sent down during the innings – 25 of them to be exact.
It was a costly amount and clearly something the Workington bowlers need to be aware of as they also sent down 23 wides in Saturday’s Cumbria League win over Millom.
Workington, who chose to bat first, got off to a great start with an opening partnership of 86 before Tom Fox went for 36. Jake Daniel went on to make 79 while the returning Matthew Gorley added 21.
St. Anne’s opening bowler Mitch Bolus took 4-49 from 7.1 overs as Workington were bowled out at the start of the final over.
The home side appeared to be in control at 115-2 led by Yohan de Silva (45) but Workington responded well to peg them back to 139-5.
Dan McDermott bowled particularly well and finished his eight over spell with 6-26 which had put Workington right back into it.
But it was Bolus who steered St. Anne’s home with an unbeaten 42 guiding the tail to their target – off the last ball.
