CASTROL Tessuti have reached the final of the Shammah Nicholls Knockout Cup with a thrilling four-wicket victory over Aston at Chester Road on Sunday, secured with just eight balls to spare.
The Oilmen now face an August 17 showdown against old rivals Chester County Officers in Audlem as they bid to lift the trophy for a second time.
Apart from being knocked out in the first round last season, Castrol have enjoyed an impressive record in the competition in recent years. They won it in 2000 and were semi-finalists in 2001.
Captain Ian Silcock said: 'I was twitching a bit at the end, but what a great run chase that was. We didn't bowl well at all and on that track they deserve credit but we have been batting well all year and I was confident we could overhaul their total.'
Silcock won the toss and asked Aston to bat. Wright (8) was first out, scooping a pull to Green, while Beesley (22) was caught by Steve Flanagan off Ball (4-40).
Walters (1-19) accounted for Davies (5) with a catch from Garvey at gully but Leese (60) and Bedson (46no) went on to forge a 99-run partnership.
Ball managed to get Leese to tickle one to Evans and got Thelwell (7) to pick out Green at point - but this was the last wicket taken as Aston closed their innings on a respectable 173 for 5 from their allotted 40 overs.
A difficult run chase was made even harder when Walters (0) holed out to Wright at point, but the Flanagan brothers proceeded to put things right.
Steve reached 44 before attempting a quick single too many and MoM Martin had reached 57 when he was caught at gully by Wright.
Garvey (26) tore into the Aston attack and Green (23) joined him with a quick 20 added before Garvey was caught by Chris Beesley. Andy Walters (4) didn't last long.
With 12 balls remaining, Castrol needed 12 to win - and Tony King (16no) finished the job, alongside Evans (1no), with boundaries off three successive balls.
