Newbuildings retained the Faughan Valley T20 Cup in barely believable fashion, pulling off a dramatic one-wicket win over Brigade in a last-ball thriller at Foyleview Arena.

Chasing 145, the holders looked beaten when Ryan Macbeth claimed his fourth wicket in the final over to leave them 135 for nine, still needing ten from the last two deliveries with Gregory McFaul and Sam McClintock at the crease.

But, in a finish of pure theatre, Man-of-the-Match Macbeth sent down a wide and the batters scampered an additional run, bringing the equation down to eight and, crucially, putting McFaul on strike. He seized the moment, launching a full toss over midwicket for six before scrambling the two required from the final ball after a misfield.

Cue pandemonium. McFaul set off on a lap of celebration, chased by his team-mates and a sizeable section of the partisan home crowd as Newbuildings completed a remarkable smash-and-grab.

Their chase had been held together by West Indian international Peat Salmon, whose explosive 62 from 33 balls included six sixes. Newbuildings had stumbled early to 27 for three, but Salmon’s clean striking dragged them back into contention. Johnny Thompson’s brisk 20 was also vital before he fell in the final over, leaving McFaul to apply the finishing touch.

Earlier, Brigade posted 144 for five after being asked to bat. Gavin Roulston was the mainstay of the innings, striking 58 with five fours and five sixes, while Scott Macbeth made 19 and Ryan Macbeth added an unbeaten 22 late on.

Jared Wilson was the pick of the Newbuildings attack, taking 3 for 25, with Ryan Hunter and Josh Wilson also among the wickets.

Newbuildings’ reward is not only another Faughan Valley Cup triumph, but a place representing the North West in next month’s All-Ireland T20 competition.