Sam Curran was the star for Oval Invincibles once again as he led them to a dramatic three-run win over Manchester Originals at Old Trafford.
The England all-rounder smashed six sixes as he made 68 from 38 balls with the bat before defending seven runs from the last five balls to seal the win.
Curran dismissed Jamie Overton with the first ball of the final five then, with Originals needing four off the last delivery, the left-armer had Usama Mir caught on the boundary.
It was a familiar story for Originals as, chasing 165 to win, they failed to take advantage of an excellent start with the bat.
Another half-century from opener Matty Hurst, in partnership with skipper Phil Salt, helped them to 89-0 but – just as they did against Northern Superchargers in their last game – they crumbled.
Big hitting from Paul Walter and Overton got them close but Curran held his nerve to condemn them to their to a fifth straight defeat and officially end their hopes of making the qualifer.
Meanwhile, Invincibles’ fourth win in five puts them second in the table, level on points with leaders Southern Brave.