A brisk century by wicketkeeper Michael Argent led Pembroke III's to victory over Civil Service in a thrilling Middle Cup final at Sydney Parade on Monday. Just one run separated the sides after seven hours of glorious sunshine with cricket to match.

Argent's 107 off 137 balls provided the backbone to Pembroke's total of 173-9 off 55 overs, with Darren Webster's 4-37 the pick of the Service bowlers.

Keith Webster (45) and Colm Faherty (28) put on 62 for the first wicket, and Civil Service took the score to 91-1 before a collapse saw them lose six more wickets reaching 125. At that stage the experience of former Trinity captain Colm Magee took over and he marshalled the tail to the brink of victory. A conversation between the umpires seemed to break his concentration and he spooned the next ball to short midwicket for a gritty 32.

Eleven were needed off three overs when the last pair of Niall Morrissey and Gerry Kelly came together and the first boundary for more than an hour brought them to within sight of a rare cup win. The pair tapped a few singles and a two but with two balls left Morrissey needed two runs to win. He was riddled and the raucous home support was ecstatic.

Gerry Murphy had only one option for man of the match and Argent was a popular winner. LCU president Tom Prior mentioned in his speech that in three years of presenting trophies Civil Service were the first losing side in whom everyone smiled when receiving their memento. But the smiles on those of Troy Burton's team were the wider, and the Middle Cup returned to Pembroke.