Mel Hussain put in a captain’s innings, scoring 131 runs.

NEEDING a colossal win to steal the league crown off Springfield, High Roding came agonisingly close before having it snatched away at High Meadow.

Coming in the final game of the season, with the league crown on the line, High Roding needed a huge win to stand a chance to passing their opponents atop the league.

Mel Hussain’s team needed to: win the toss, bat first, score 250 runs for no wickets, and bowl Springfield out for less than 150 to win the league.

The match got off to a perfect start – Hussain won the toss and put his side into bat first. Hussain opened the batting with Adam Holdgate and the pair reached the drinks break on 77-0.

The excitement around High Meadow was palpable as the partnership continued to grow past 100, then 150, but just as it was closing in on 200 Holdgate was trapped LBW after scoring a magnificent 71 – the title was Springfield’s.

Hussain was joined by his son Travis and, with the required run-rate at 10 per over to reach 250, the skipper hit five big sixes as his side reached 230 with two overs left. The father and son duo tried to add the required 20 but Travis was run out before Mel was dismissed for 131.

With the title won, Springfield’s concentration was lacking as they began the run chase. Ashley Allington (3-85) and Mark Gallop (5-41) tore through the openers as Springfield reached 70 for the loss of six wickets.

However, a captain’s innings from Jim Symonds (53), who was backed up by the tail, saw Springfield home with a wicket to spare.