STONE were four runs short of victory in a tense game at Cutnall Green in Division Five.

They needed nine off the last over but failed to score a run off the final three balls.

The home side had elected to bat first and raced to 93-1 off 21 overs - despite an early wicket from Rob Smith and a confident LBW appeal against danger-man Neil Fletcher.

Stone's fielding was unusually mediocre and the bowling lacked penetration although Alan Ferguson produced ten steady overs and Nick Powell was tight at the death.

Fletcher, one of the best batsman in the division, was a joy to watch as he reached 113 not out off 124 balls.

Gary Bourke's men were set a stiff but reachable target of 228 in their 45 overs and they were looking good at 94-0 thanks to Nathan Vann's enterprising 53 off 63 balls.

Pete Glover (34) and opener Dean Aldridge put on 88 for the second wicket and Stone needed 36 off the last five overs with seven wickets left.

An increasingly tired Aldridge was caught for 91 in the penultimate over and, despite a three-ball cameo from Keith Harrington, Stone could not get over the finishing line to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Cutnall Green: 227-3 (14 points), Stone 224-6 (7).