Bat from Down Under helps Cosker plunder! (From Free Press Series)

Bat from Down Under helps Cosker plunder!

Panteg had Gareth Cosker's hand-me-down bat to thank for their dramatic late win against Usk on Saturday, after the lower order slugger hit a six off the second from last ball to steal victory for the Pontypool side.

Cosker - brother of Glamorgan left arm spinner Dean - received the bat from his sibling, who had been given it by Australian team mate Michael Kasprowicz after Kasprowicz had himself been given it by his international colleague Matthew Hayden.

Talk within the Panteg dressing room suggested big things were expected of a bat with such a proud history and Cosker didn't disappoint, clearing the boundary with the last but one ball to give his side a one wicket win.

Such a close finish had seemed unlikely after Panteg had raced to 200 - 2 off 41 overs in pursuit of Usk's 240 target.

A fine 89 from Mike Martin and credible 37 from captain Ian Bird had put Panteg in a comfortable position before a mini-collapse saw them lose seven wickets in nine overs.

"It shouldn't have been as tight as it was because we were cruising at 200 for two with nine wickets to spare," said Bird.

"We ended up losing seven wickets in the last nine overs and a little bit of panic set in.

"But we got the win in the end.

"We hit 11 off the last over and needed two off the last two balls but Gareth Cosker hit a six off the last but one ball.

"I wasn't happy with the way we almost threw the game away," added Bird. "Luckily number 11 Luke sellers stayed calm through it all. There was pressure on the lads coming in and we did panic a bit which is something we've got to work on.

"John Glover had 2 - 22 off nine overs and was the best bowler on the day, on a good wicket.

"We did well in the field to restrict them to 240 and it shows how far we've come as a side to chase down 240.

"We beat Tondu last week and the past two weeks is when we've been at our strongest.

"The last two weeks we have managed to get everyone together and we're a good side when everyone's available."

Panteg will hope their good form continues as they face a testing home encounter against top-of-the-table St Fagons next Saturday.

"St Fagons are top of the table but I fancy us to do well against them.

"We're currently mid-table but I want us to climb further and end up fourth or fifth," Bird added.