HOLDERS Monmouth squeezed into the final of the Advantage Business Supplies Marches League Knockout Cup with a dramatic one-run semi-final victory at Talgarth on Sunday.

The advantage swung from side-to-side all afternoon and the last over was no exception. Starting it requiring 11 runs with four wickets remaining, Talgarth appeared to have finally turned the game in their favour when Glyn Harrhy, who was well set, swung the ball over long-off for six, to reduce the target to four off four.

He smashed spinner David Teague's next delivery, but the bowler held a stunning catch to prevent the ball going for a certain four and remove the dangerous batsman. Two runs off the next two balls left the Mid Wales side requiring one run off the final delivery to tie the score and take the win with fewer wickets down. Will Kleiser drilled the ball back at Teague and he completed a run-out at the non-striker's end. Talgarth were 182-8.

The Monmouth innings stuttered and spluttered throughout. When Neil Morris (1-16 off eight overs) removed Wayne Etheridge for 27, after Glen Reynolds and Harrhy (2-52) had whipped out the first three batsmen, the innings was in turmoil at 54-4. Charlie Bye (37 off 35 balls) and Dan Head (24) doubled the score before a mix-up in the running left the former stranded.

Wickets tumbled and, at 159-9 with overs running out, Talgarth were back in the driving seat. Paul Swingwood (32 off 24 balls) and Aled Jones batted sensibly to lift the final score to 183-9.

The Talgarth innings started in similar fashion to Monmouth's, with Jonathan Roberts (2-36) and Ian Mackinlay reducing them to 33-3 after nine overs.

But Harrhy batted solidly against some accurate bowling from Jones (2-26) and Swingwood and, with sturdy support from Morris (22) and Chris Rayner (24), rescued the side to set up the delicate position at the start of the final over.

Harrhy, whose innings deserved a better outcome, was finally out for 71 including three sixes and six boundaries, while Teague finished with 2-50.

Monmouth will meet the winners of Crickhowell and Burghill and Tillington, who play their semi-final this weekend, in the final.