LIAM Dyson and Joe Ousey starred for Oxenhope as their first XI came out on top in a thrilling encounter at Sowerby St Peters, after coming out on the wrong side of a few close games this year.

The home side posted a respectable total of 227, thanks mainly to 60 from Ben Watkins and 79 from Aiden Green. Dyson was the pick of the Oxenhope bowlers with 4-49.

The visitors' reply got off to a disastrous start as four wickets fell for less than 30 runs. However, Ousey followed up his three catches in the field with a magnificent century, his second in two weeks, to change the face of the game.

Assisted first by Tom Mawer (18) and Duncan Tetley (47), Ousey looked to be guiding them to a comfortable win, but four wickets tumbled as Matthew Schofield (6-64) turned the game in favour of the hosts.

With the last pair at the wicket and six required for victory as the game moved into the final over, Richard Ellis and Joel Fothergill kept their cool to hit the winning runs with just three balls to spare.

The win moves Oxenhope above their opponents, and into fifth in the Halifax League Premier Division.

After winning a close game last week at Southowaram, Oxenhope's second string had the tables turned on them at home in the Roy Smith 2nd XI Division.

The visitors' early order all made contributions to a promising start as they moved quickly past the first hundred. Mark Ambler then added a quick fire 50 to put them in sight of a big total.

Opening bowler Jonathan Holden toiled for his return of 4-50 but change bowler Anas Tanveer turned the tables with a devastating spell of 5-40 in seven overs to close the innings out at 205. Graham Ellis was outstanding in the field, with four catches in the deep.

Progress was steady in reply but Rohid Ali got things going with a forceful 40 as he and Robin Cusdin took the score past 150. The wheels well and truly came off though, as David Jowett ripped through the tail on his way to figures of 6-55.

Cusdin was last out for an excellent 74 as he tried to turn the game back in favour of the home side, but they fell 15 runs short.