Hawkley skipper Rich Humphreys won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. Steep’s openers Knight and Smith were quickly off the mark and the ship’s bell in the Steep pavilion rang each six as local tradition requires until Chris Huntley struck back for Hawkley by dismissing Smith caught behind by Jarrett. Passingham joined Knight and the Steep innings continued strongly until change bowler Burkie trapped Knight LBW for 50. At the other end, Hudson found enough movement to induce Morris to play on and Dale to edge to first slip where Brown senior took a sharp catch. Thereafter the wicket increasingly favoured the batsmen and the score mounted rapidly, Turnbull in particular punishing any loose bowling. Hawkley heads were starting to droop when Huntley changed ends to come up the hill and bowl Passingham for 49. Hawkley spent the remaining overs before tea retrieving the ball from the surrounding paddocks as Turnbull accelerated to finish a fine innings unbeaten on 96.

Both teams were probably stronger in the batting rather than bowling line-ups and Steep’s score of 238 was not out of reach on a true wicket with short boundaries. Opening Hawkley’s reply Batten quickly departed as he guided Jones into gully’s hands, but thereafter Madeley and Jarrett made hay in the hot sun. Madeley looked in particularly fine form and the six bell tolled regularly as Hawkley pursued their target. After Jarrett was stumped off Turnbull for an excellent fifty Nigel Brown played some elegant strokes until caught off Smith. Chris Head then joined Madeley in a stand which took Hawkley passed 200 before Madeley was finally bowled by Smith for 83 having lead the Hawkley innings within sight of victory.  Humphreys and Head continued the momentum, Head hoisting a six onto the pavilion roof in the penultimate over. Humphreys was caught off Smith for 19 leaving five to win off the last over. Smith bowled a tight line and two were needed to win off the last ball with Todd facing. Hawkley faces fell as Todd played and missed, until the umpire was seen to have signalled a wide! With the scores level and the field closing in to save the single, Todd drove a four down the ground to hand Hawkley victory.