A scrambled single off the final ball of the game gave Frampton-on-Severn a thrilling two-wicket win over Cinderford St John in Division Three of the Gloucestershire County League.

It was scored by wicketkeeper Stanley Shilton – the only ball he faced – after Mathew Halsey had been run out off the penultimate ball of the match.

Halsey, batting at seven, made an excellent 51 and was the main reason why Frampton managed to overhaul Cinderford’s 185-7 from 40 overs.

“He batted really well,” said his dad Daniel, who shared what proved to be a decisive seventh-wicket partnership with his son.

“He looked good from the start, he was creaming it almost from the first ball.

“He needed that. He’s a bowler who can bat but he’d been a bit low on confidence with his batting.”

Halsey Snr made 36 and he continued: “We put on about 70. I stayed with him until the final couple of overs and then we needed 11 off the last over.

“Matty hit a big six off the second ball but he was run out going out for a second run that would have given us the win.”

While the 19-year-old would obviously have liked to have hit the winning runs it didn’t spoil the moment for his dad, who has been playing for the club since the mid-to-late 1980s.

“That has to be my favourite win of the last 20 years,” said Halsey Snr. “It was great to be in such a good partnership with my son.

“We’re not a good chasing side, our bowling is much stronger than our batting.”

There were also important contributions from Stephan De Jager (32) and skipper Daniel Huxstep (25), while earlier spinner Nathan Hudd had taken 3-33 from his eight overs.”

The win was Frampton’s sixth in nine league games this season and they are currently fourth in the 10-strong division ahead of Saturday’s game at Dymock.

“Promotion is the aim,” said Halsey. “We were relegated last season but it will be tough to go straight back up.

“Dumbleton and Hatherley and Reddings both have strong 2nds XIs and AIW and Ullenwood are both good teams. It’s very competitive, it’s a good standard of cricket.”

Dumbleton and Hatherley occupy the two promotion places as it stands and if Frampton are to make a big push in the second half of the season their overseas player and left-arm spinner Akshay Sreenivasan is sure to play a key role.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air,” said Halsey. “He’s from New Zealand, he’s full of energy. He’s really enjoying being with us and hopefully he’ll be back next year.”