WARWICKSHIRE CCC claimed a dramatic three-run win against Surrey in a thrilling One-Day Cup match held at Rugby School.
The Bears finished on 311-9 from their 50 overs as Surrey took the game to the last ball but fell three runs short of the required total needing 20 runs from the final over.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, the home side lost opener Ed Barnard (11) in the fourth over.
However, useful knocks from Rob Yates (40), Will Rhodes (44) and Hamza Shaikh (39) helped the Bears reach 147-4.
A superb 127-run partnership between Chris Benjamin (75) and Michael Burgess (60) entertained the 2,500 spectators while Kai Smith (26) also scored quick runs.
Those contributions saw the Bears close on 311-9 as James Taylor (3-43) and Cameron Steel (3-58) both claimed three wickets apiece.
In reply, former Bear Dom Sibley (149) punished the Warwickshire bowlers as he hit 16 boundaries in a fine innings.
Only Barnard (2-44) made any early inroads with the ball when he accounted for Ryan Patel (16).
Spearheaded by Sibley, Surrey piled on the runs before Michael Booth (3-54) struck to remove Ben Geddes (62) with Surrey on 162-2.
However, a flurry of wickets boosted Warwickshire’s chances as Yates (1-36) bowled Rory Burns (16) while Barnard and Jake Lintott (1-59) also struck as the Bears took three wickets in the space of four overs.
With the home side in command, Josh Blake (26) added some useful runs before he fell to the bowling of Oliver Hannon-Dalby (2-61).
And some excellent death bowling guided the Bears to victory as Booth struck either side of a second wicket for Hannon-Dalby in the final few overs.
Surrey required 20 runs from the final over and smashed a six off the first ball before Hannon-Dalby conceded 10 runs from the remaining five deliveries to seal victory for the Bears.
