Calmore SPORTS pair Paul Cass and Steve Brandes wrote a new chapter in the Southern Electric Premier League record books with an unbroken century partnership - for the last wicket!

They shared an undefeated 105-run stand to guide Calmore from almost certain defeat to a remarkable one-wicket victory over Division 2 rivals, Gosport Borough at Loperwood Park.

Chasing a rain-cut 163 in 45 overs, Calmore looked out for the count at 58-9, when last man Brandes strode to the crease to join Paul Cass, pictured, who had found himself marooned at the non-striker's end after Gareth Freeman (5-46) had cut through the lower order.

But the veteran Brandes, who had to pull out of the Hampshire Over-50s game in Cornwall yesterday because he "couldn't move" after his last wicket heroics, was unfazed by Calmore's dilemma.

"I never go in with a defeatist attitude and, with a batsman of Cassy's calibre at the other end, we always had a chance," Brandes explained.

Cass, who had seen Calmore plunge from 50-4 to 58-9, promptly peppered Freeman for four boundaries in one over.

"After that it became a lot easier. We had plenty of overs left," Brandes added.

"I thought that, provided I could stay there, we could still win the game."

Cass, last season's Hampshire Under-21s captain, played with real freedom, thumping nine fours as he and Brandes nudged Calmore ever closer to the target.

But, when Calmore's total reached 150-9, the pair had a massive let off.

"I mis-hit a pull shot, which skied up towards square-leg," Cass said.

"I was walking back to the pavilion when Pete Robson, their wicketkeeper, ran across from behind the stumps and, incredibly, dropped it !"

Calmore cashed in, with Cass going on to hit an undefeated 70 and Brandes a brave 13 not out.

"We didn't have to buy a drink all night. That was the best bit of it," Cass laughed.

The record 105-run match winning stand between Cass and Brandes was the first century last-wicket partnership in the Southern League's 35-year history.

Opening the Calmore attack earlier in the day, Cass took 2-32 and, with Charlie Freeston (2-30) alongside, had Gosport in difficulty at 103-6.

Off-spinner Brandes (2-24) also did his bit before Gosport, who reached 181-8 before rain reduced the game to a 45-over affair, rallied through lower-order pair Richard Edwards (32 not out) and Mark Oxford (20).

Relegation-threatened Borough looked to have the game in the bag when Freeman and Brendan Regan (2-34) had Calmore on the ropes at 58-9.