The last day of the season has left the I'Anson Competition's management committee with a difficult decision to make – so tricky that they have turned to Lord's for advice.

It involves the promotion race in Divison Two when three teams, Badshot Lea, Deepcut and Witley were challenging on Saturday to go up with champions Chiddingfold.

Badshot Lea, who were in the strongest position at the start of the day, emerged as the winners of a desperately close game at Grayshott, but only after the I'Anson pool umpires had rectified a mistake after time had been called.

In a climactic finish, Badshot Lea lost their last wicket with the scores level and the result was apparently a tie, with the sides taking five points apiece.

It was only at that point that Alex Warren, the 'Lea skipper, lodged an appeal that a boundary midway through the innings that had landed on the boundary line had been signalled as a four instead of a six. (a Grayshott fielder had indicated at the time to the umpire that the ball had landed on the line).

The umpires instructed that the scorebooks be altered, so giving victory and eight points to Badshot Lea.

But the Laws of Cricket do not apparently support their decision.

The laws relating to Correctness of Scores do not apply as these relate only to the checking of scorebooks and correctness of entries.

This was about an umpire making a wrong decision. The law relating to Saturday's situation is Law 27 Section 9, which states: 'An umpire may alter his decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire's decision, once made, is final.'

Crucially, Badshot Lea only made their appeal after the game was over.

However, a respected member of the Umpires' Association points out that there is a precedent for the organising committee of a league changing a result 'due to some irregularity or unfair play.'

With so much at stake, it is not suprising that the I'Anson's management committee are reluctant to make such a decision unaided and they have taken the wisest choice of action in asking the MCC for advice.

There is so much at stake because Deepcut got their 10 points in the bag by beating Elstead.

If Badshot Lea receive five points from a tie, they would be level on points with Deepcut who would take second place on more wins.

Secretary Gill Rooney has already notified Lord's of the circumstances and the I'Anson committee will meet next Thursday to make their final decision.

Graham Sampson, the experienced skipper of Grayshott II, described the match with Badshot Lea as "the best I have ever played in."

Needing at least a win to guarantee position, Badshot Lea put Grayshott II in to bat. Williams and Fisher put on 45 for the the first wicket in quick time, but the middle order failed to capitalise and four wickets fell in quick succession.

Cage and Overy stabilised the innings and Grayshott were eventually all out for 115 in 44 overs. Davenport was the pick of the 'Lea bowlers, taking 4 for 37 in 16 overs.

The visitors started badly and were soon 11-3 following the first of two outstanding slip catches by Neil Sampson and a mix-up that ran out the prolific Garfoot. Skipper Warren seemed set for a big score until Sizeland was introduced into the attack and, at 63-5, the game was evenly poised.

Brophy, in his second spell, kept up the pressure on the batsmen, generating another run-out and the vital wicket of Hillman for 27. Going into the 43rd over, Badshot Lea needed one run for victory with their last pair at the crease. But Brophy claimed his fourth wicket and, with 'Lea all out for 115, the game finished as a dramatic tie, or so was generally thought.

Deepcut, needing a win for a chance of promotion, came out on top in a low-scoring game against Elstead. A second-wicket partnership of 66 between Dave Speight and Craft laid a solid foundation for Deepcut. Once the stand was broken, wickets fell at a steady rate, with Fox the only other batsman to reach double figures. Laeeq Ahmed finished with fine figures of 4 for 28 from 16 overs and the home side were all out for 122.

Elstead also lost an early wicket, but Laeeq Ahmed, having been put down in the second over, hit a rapid 25 before being caught by Dave Speight. Once he went, the rest quickly followed, with Mike Speight (4-29 in 11 overs) and Ingham-Smith (3-18 in 11) doing most of the damage. No-one else reached double figures as Sudhir and Thomas wrapped up the Elstead innings for 73, giving Deepcut the 10 points that could yet win them promotion.

Witley, also in with an outside chance of promotion, decided to bat in their quest for maximum points, but things did not go to plan.

Against some good bowling from Grayswood, who had Steve Barkla back in their side, the home side could only manage 119 all out in the 42nd over. Andy McAllister was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 43 from 13 overs.

Grayswood's reply was something of a carbon-copy. The bowlers were again on top, with Tony Kelly taking an impressive 6 for 33 in 19.2 overs. A very tight and tense finish was on the cards, and, with nine wickets down, it was finally left to Phil Jackson to hit the winning runs in the 47th over. Witley were left to rue many missed opportunities this season in their hunt for promotion.