Australian Aaron Todd hit a brilliant 150 – but basement boys Aston Rowant still suffered a three-wicket defeat in the last over at home to leaders Welwyn Garden City.

Todd’s terrific ton took Rowant to a massive 343-6 after they were put in to bat.

But Welwyn were unfazed, and with former Oxford and Oxfordshire all-rounder Jamie Hewitt hammering 103, they clinched victory at 344-7 with three balls to spare.

Todd and fellow opener Tim Morgan had earlier been qui8ckly into the stride, putting on 73 for the first wicket.

When Morgan was caught by Martin James off Simon White, Alex Jewell carried on where he left off, sharing a stand of 161 with Todd, before being run out for 77 to leave Rowant 234-2.

Todd reached his century and then continued to plunder the Welwyn bowling.

After Chris Watling fell to Chris Grant, captain Wes Morrick joined the former Finchampstead batsman.

Todd reached his 150, but was then caught by Aaron Laraman off the bowling of James Southgate, leaving Rowant on 293-4.

Morrick finished unbeaten on 38 as Rowant’s innings closed.

Welwyn openers Hewitt and James quickly showed their intentions, racing to 81 before Rory Lyon bowled the latter for 36.

Hewitt was scoring freely, but Rowant struck three swift blows at the other end.

Laraman was caught by Lyon off Morrick, Daniel Blacktopp was pouched by Karl Penhale off Lyon, and Southgate was caught behind by Jewell off Morrick to leave Welwyn on 120-4.

But Nicholas Walker joined Hewitt, and put on a stand of 122 to lift Welwyn to 242-5 and set them up to challenge Rowant’s total.

Walker fell to Morrick, who bowled unchanged from one end, for 88.

White helped move the score on to 282 before Hewitt departed for 103, falling to a catch from Morgan off Lyon.

Grant then took up the challenge and helped White to add 43 runs for the next wicket in quick time.

White then fell to a run out for 55 with the total on 325-7. But Paul Barker then joined Grant and the pair took the leaders to victory in the final over.