Willow Cuts 174-8 In what was one of the most exhilarating climaxes to a Western Counties Cup fixture, champions Willow Cuts only just managed to turn back a spirited challenge by Southampton Rangers to win this second-round tie by two wickets at White Hill on Saturday.

Cuts were able to breathe a sigh of relief when their final two batsmen, brothers Rodney and Kevin Fubler, added 23 runs to steer the team to victory with just four balls left in the game. Rodney finished with 31 not out while Kevin was undefeated on five.

All-rounder Vivian Simons suffered a broken finger sustained while fielding and was unable to bat after receving attention at the hospital. That put the Fubler brothers in the unenviable position of having to carry the great responsibility on their shoulders taking the total to 174 when they joined at 151 for eight.

With both concentrating and refusing to bow to tight bowling the two players -- who are better known for their bowling feats -- managed to accomplish the task much to the relief of their team-mates.

With Cuts barely winning by the skin of their teeth, the game fulfilled its promise of being a close contest, but it was a pity that no more than 200 fans bothered to show up.

Although the Fubler brothers stole the show with their late batting heroics, considerable praise had to go to hard-hitting batsman Gladwin Edness who helped to tilt the game back into Willow Cuts' favour after they had been struggling at 72 for six.

Edness' swashbuckling innings of 57 quickly got Cuts back into the game, he and Rodney Fubler added 79 for the seventh-wicket stand with the former instrumental in tearing the heart out of the inspired bowling attack with some ferocious shots.

Edness finished up striking two sixes and five fours during his stay at the wicket which lasted for 80 minutes.

Janeiro Tucker was the best bowler for Southampton finishing with three for 21 off 12 overs, with two maidens. Dwayne Steede had two for 32 and Garry Williams two for 44.

Just as Edness dominated, Southampton's guest player Clarkie Trott of Bailey's Bay played a vital role in having his team reach a respectable total after early poor batting performances gave suggestion of it being a short game.

Brought into the team to beef up their pace attack, Trott proved to be a saviour for Southampton as far as batting was concerned. Hovering at 76 for seven, Trott took the initiative when Michael Brangman (11) was dismissed with the score 109 for seven, slamming sixes all over the place.

When number 11 batsman Garry Williams was run out for 12, he and Trott had ensured that Willow Cuts would face a formidable total by putting on 63 for the 10th wicket, taking the score from 110 for nine.

Trott was undefeated on 72, hitting seven sixes and two fours while batting for 80 minutes.

Rodney Fubler was the leading wicket taker for Cuts with four for 49 off 19.5 overs, including three maidens. Keith Fubler had three for 46 off 12 overs with two maidens.

The game was reduced to 56 overs because of a late start after some additional work had to be done on the pitch.

Willow Cuts now meet Somerset Bridge in the two-day final at White Hill on August 26 and 27.