Cricket: EALING'S National Knockout Cup dreams ended when they lost on the last ball of the match for the second time in 24 hours.

The Corfton Road side went out of the competition to last year's semi-finalists High Wycombe the day after losing to Hampstead by a single run in the Middlesex League.

In Sunday's area semi-final , Ealing had Wycombe at 25-4 but the visitors fought back and, with the help of a 73 from Mark Morgan, set a target of 187-8.

Asri Hafeez and Lee Parry (3-43) did most of the damage with the ball for Ealing.

The hosts were well on their way to beating the target when Rag Rao (55) and David Elach steered them to 136-4 with nine overs remaining.

But both were caught in the outfield and Ealing needed ten from the last over to tie the match.

A six with the final ball would have still been enough but Ealing eventually fell just four runs short.

Ironically, victory would have set up a date with Winchmore Hill the side who overtook them at the top of the table on Saturday.

The game against Hampstead was even more agonising for Ealing.

After losing the toss, Hampstead went into bat and an unbeaten 100 by Mark Harvey and an 80 from Andrew Jeffrey helped them to 279-7 in 66 overs.

Ealing then fell just one run short with Chris Peploe scoring 73.

On Saturday, Ealing will be looking to go straight back to the top of the table when they entertain Winchmore Hill.