Cricket: Chapple ends resistance

England A 438 Victoria 211 & 219 England A win by an innings and eight runs

England A overcame a spirited last-wicket partnership to continue their successful tour with a victory over an under-strength Victoria yesterday.

Victoria, resuming on 20 without loss and needing a further 207 to make England bat again, were unable to call on their captain Tony Dodemaide (broken right index finger) or Damien Fleming (thigh strain) as they attempted to save the match.

An 85-run eighth-wicket partnership between Graeme Vimpani and David Saker left Victoria eight runs short of making England bat again and frustrated the visitors until there were 11 overs remaining.

Glen Chapple finally took the last wicket to secure victory as Victoria's innings ended on 219 for 8. His breakthrough eased the pressure on the England captain, Adam Hollioake, who had uncharacteristically dropped Saker two overs earlier.

Hollioake said: "We played out of our skins for three and a half days, but when it came down to getting that last wicket we had a bit of trouble. We made hard work of what should have been an easy victory. It was incredibly frustrating out there and I'm just glad Glen came through and got the last wicket."

Dean Headley and Craig White both took two wickets apiece as England reduced Victoria to 124 for 7. But Vimpani (53) and Saker, who finished with a career-best unbeaten 51, defied England for nearly two hours, despite numerous edges falling just short of fielders and in the gaps. Chapple finally induced Vimpani to play on to take his sixth wicket of the match and secure England's fourth successive victory since they lost their opening match of the tour.

Final day of four; Victoria won toss

ENGLAND A - First Innings 438 (C White 99, M A Ealham 78, A J Hollioake 58, M A Butcher 55.

VICTORIA - First Innings 211 (L D Harper 63; G Chapple 4-43).

VICTORIA - Second Innings

(Overnight: 20 for 0)

W G Ayres lbw b Headley 42

B J Hodge c Butcher b Chapple 28

M R Foster b White 7

L D Harper c Hegg b Headley 0

G R Vimpani b Chapple 52

I J Harvey b White 3

P J Roach run out 12

B J Stacey c Hegg b Hollioake 2

D J Saker not out 51

*A I C Dodemaide absent 0

D W Fleming absent 0

Extras (b3, lb8, nb11) 22

Total (92.2 overs) 219

Fall: 1-52, 2-81, 3-81, 4-85, 5-91, 6-116, 7-124, 8-219.

Bowling: Headley 21-4-48-2; Chapple 23.2-8-57-2; Ealham 8-4-22-0; Giles 15-9-15-0; Hollioake 8-4-20-1; White 14-3-39-2; Vaughan 3-1-7-0.

Umpires: G T Morrow and I W Stratford.