Shipton-under-Wychwood skipper Simon Hole has praised his side’s character after an incredible six-run win at home to Datchet in Division 2 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League on Saturday.

The hosts seemed dead and buried when they collapsed to 32-8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

But a half-century from Anupam Sanklecha enabled Shipton to recover to 136 all out, but even then that total seemed inadequate as Datchet eased to 60-2 in reply.

But then Hole’s brother, Stuart, took six wickets, and Sanklecha ripped through the rest of the batting as the visitors were dismissed for 130.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking, but we managed to get ourselves out of jail,” said Hole.

“Datchet were bowling very well and it was moving a bit and when it got to 32-8 it did not look good. I thought we weren’t going to make 50.

“But Anupam and Charlie Brain battled brilliantly. They didn’t take any risks and got us out of the mire.

“We then bowled brilliantly.”

There was a very different mood after with Shipton in dire straights and heading for a defeat around lunchtime.

Stuart Hole departed in the first over to Gareth Harte, who also claimed the wickets of Andrew Hemming and skipper Simon Hole to leave Shipton 12-3.

The collapse continued against the seam of Harte and Steve Naylor as George Seacole, Sam Jones and Jason Hunt (first ball) all went for ducks.

At 32-8, Shipton were heading for a humiliating defeat.

Sanklecha, who had survived the blitz, found a reliable partner in No 10 Brain.

Together they slowly repaired the damage and accelerated as they headed for three figures.

In the end, the pair put on 89 for the ninth wicket before Brain departed for 34, which included six fours.

Sanklecha and Shaun Miller eked out another 15 runs for the final wicket, before Sanklecha was caught for 58, having hit ten fours.

Naylor finished with 5-57 and Harte 4-47.

Sanklecha gave Shipton early hope with two quick wickets.

A second-wicket stand of 51 between Naylor and Harte appeared to set up victory for the Berkshire side.

But a four-wicket blast from Stuart Hole reduced Datchet to 91-6.

The ninth wicket fell at 117, but then Stuart Hole had Sam Finn caught behind at 130 to clinch an unlikely win.

Hole finished with 6-65 and Sanklecha 4-49 as Shipton moved to second in the table.

Simon Hole added: “When we were 32-8 we could have given up, but we didn’t capitulate as some sides might, which was good to see. But we need to sort out our batting which hasn’t been good recently.”

He said: “We had a similar game at Cove last season when we got 110 and they got 100, but nothing like this.

“It was nail-biting stuff. They (Datchet) got off to a good start, but once we got their captain (Tim Alldis) out we just kept up the pressure.

“We dropped a couple of catches which was frustrating as it could have been more comfortable.”