RAJ MARU was in no doubt where Hampshire cricket Board's amazing last-ball win over Shropshire in yesterday's NatWest Trophy tie, stood in his career.

"That was better than winning the NatWest Trophy itself with Hampshire in 1991," said a breathless Maru after his young HCB side composed of club cricketers pulled off an incredible stroke to beat Minor Counties big-shots Shropshire by just one run at Wellington, to give him his finest hour.

And their reward now is a third round tie against Glamorgan, probably at The County Ground. It's the equivalent of Bashley winning a place in the Third Round of the FA Cup and drawing Leeds United, and Maru said: "We can't wait."

On the same day, Hampshire will travel to face either Cambridgeshire or the Kent Board XI, but the Hampshire Board team deserve their day in the sun after defend-ing a seemingly indefensible 217 by running out the last Shropshire batsmen while going for the run that would have won them the match.

Maru paid handsome tribute to a team which included four of Hampshire's Under-19 national championship winning side, while five others were under 24, leaving only Maru and last-over hero Roger Miller over 26.

"For such a young group of players, they were tremendous," said Maru. "They never let their heads drop and they never panicked.

"Shropshire panicked, and they were the ones who threw their wickets away," said Maru after the Minor Counties side muffed a position where they needed just 40 runs off 11 overs with seven wickets in hand.

"I don't think I have ever seen a team react like that to a win," said Maru. "There were a few back slaps and whoops when we won the NatWest Trophy, but to see all 11 players out there in the middle of the field hugging each other shows what a great team spirit they have."

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