SUNDAY'S BSI Cup was not only a brilliant day's cricket for players and its sponsors -- Barker Son and Isherwood Solicitors -- but it was village cricket fighting back at those who had prematurely announced its demise.

Upper Clatford were the winners of the exciting triangular competition, with Wherwell and Longparish providing worthy opposition.

Longparish and Wherwell got the day off to a riveting start at 11.30am despite the fact that at 9am ducks could have swam in the outfield! Those spectators who did brave the showers were blessed with a fine spectacle at one of the country's most beautiful cricket grounds.

Longparish made 135 for three wickets, as Paul White (36*) maintained his impressive form despite Richard Rose's 2 for 27 runs. In reply, Wherwell made a spirited response, but were bowled out for 114. R Young made 27 and D Mead 25.

Longparish then met Upper Clatford, who invited them to bat and held Longparish to 93 for 7. Lunch was taken between the innings, and Neil and Georgina Bonathan worked wonders in delivering 50 ploughmans lunches.

Upper Clatford opened after lunch with Andy Cattle, who almost survived the innings but fell to Bill Lewens in the 17th over for 38, caught by Steve Benco. Clatford won with a four off the last ball.

The final game saw Clatford invite Wherwell to bat, who made 71, which Clatford knocked off in 10.5 overs for the loss of one wicket, Andy Cattle hitting 43*.

Nathan Young of Wherwell won the champagne moment with a spectacular stop on the boundary with his boot outstretched, to which the crowd rose as one.

John Butcher of Barker Son and Isherwood made the presentations, and Longparish chairman Martyn Clarke invited all to return next year, hopefully for a two-day tournament with more villages taking part.