Luctonians 194-9 Droitwich Spa 196-9

Droitwich win by one wicket

DROITWICH stalled their slide down the Worcester League Division One with a nail biting victory over the bottom side on Saturday.

A last ditch partnership by Spa rookie Phil Thomas and veteran Karl Goddard stood fast to stop a total collapse and get the much needed runs to give Droitwich only their third victory of the season.

The win steadied Spa's position in the table, leaving them in eighth place.

On Saturday Droitwich had shown tremendous spirit to battle back after Luctonians had started the match strongly with the bat.

Line and length

They had reached 100-1, with only Mike Rogers taking a wicket, before Droitwich's bowlers found their line and length.

Richard Ferley took the second and Luctonians suffered a collapse.

Rogers took two more wickets, while Goddard grabbed a run out as Luctonians ended their innings on 194-9.

Spa suffered an early set back with the bat, as Paul Bryan was dismissed, but Jermome Conner (36) and Gary Cartwright (71) forged an 80 run partnership to put their side on control.

After they were both dismissed Spa were on 130-4, but lost Ian Cottrill and Josh Staines cheaply to leave the game in the balance.

Captain Steve Walsh, nursing a badley bruised finger, was forced to retire, while Richard Ferley was dismissed.

Droitwich needed 16 runs from the final few overs and Rogers' quick-fire ten led the way.

It was left to the inexperienced Thomas and Goddard to seal a much-needed victory for Droitwich.

The duo batted solidly and Thomas gave his side a confidence-boosting win with a four, which steered Droitwich to 196-9.

Droitwich will be aiming to take a crucial second win in a row on Saturday, when they entertain third in the table Romsley and Hunnington (1.30pm start).