Mankelow final over hat-trick clinches thriller

The left-armer took 3-38 to complete the Cavaliers’ capitulation after they appeared well on track to knock off the RoC’s target of 188.
RoC made a laboured start on a low slow track, crawling to 40-3 from 15 overs, primarily through Birjesh Bharatiya (24) and Nick Gavigan (17) after both openers were removed cheaply by the impressive young Will Brewis (2-33).
Captain Ant Ireland (42) upped the rate – in spite of some tight spin bowling from Andy Lewis (1-31) - lifting the away Llamas past 100 in a 50+ stand with Sam Gregson (24).
However, Shayne Cossey (3-7) removed Ireland, Mobeen Tahir and keeper Geoff Chay in quick succession, plunging RoC back into trouble at 120-7.
In stepped the big bruiser Nick Rotsey (52*), who ensured the visitors would set a competitive total with some expansive hitting and able support from that man Mankelow (8*). Together the pair put on a crucial 50 partnership for the ninth wicket, setting the Cavs 188 to win.
The chase began in the worst fashion as Tahir (3-43) cleaned up Srikkanth Vupalla with the first ball of the innings, but Simon Brewis (50) and Chris Morgan (34) soon began to assert their dominance.
When Rotsey (1-23) dismissed the dangerous Morgan, Michael Ramsden (32) took up the fight and at drinks the Cavaliers were in the box seat at 100-2 and ahead of the required rate.
So then began the slow suffocating death. Rotsey bowled beautifully with no luck, repeatedly beating the bat.
Brewis and Ramsden ran their luck with several miscues not going to hand, but eventually something had to give. Newcomer Bharatiya (3-12) was introduced into the attack and made three key breakthroughs with some Chris Harris-esque licorice all-sorts to bring the game back into the balance.
From 122-2, Cavaliers subsided to 158-7 despite the efforts of Ross Gurbutt (24).
Joel Miller (14) and Brijesh Patel (9) then kept the Cavs ahead of the run-rate and victory was in sight when Patel was removed by Gavigan (1-23) at 186-8. With 12 men in the line-up and two required from six balls, the odds were still with Miller’s men.
For long periods it appeared the home side would get there relatively comfortably, and after a late wobble, they appeared to have wrestled back the advantage. But never count out the wiles of a veteran when the pressure is on. Mankelow was trusted with the rock and delivered.
Having looked assured in steering his side towards victory, producing a couple of lovely boundaries just at the right times, Miller spooned a catch to midwicket. Manoj Rajarethinam was then dismissed LBW playing the same shot the following ball, and Lewis duly obliged with another skied hit across the line, completing Mankelow’s hat trick and snatching defeat from the proverbial jaws as a well lubricated crowd purred their approval in the balmy evening shadows.