BARNARDS Green Seconds found the going tough against Alvechurch in this WCL Division Three match but managed to hold on for a draw thanks to the efforts of Mark Jones who frustrated the visitor's bowlers for 15 overs.

BARNARDS GREEN II v ALVECHURCH II

Alvechurch batted first and, despite playing a number of false shots, openers Spavin and Paytor made steady progress on the wet wicket. The Green's bowlers were unable to make a breakthrough until the score had passed 100 when Spavin miscued again and this time the ball ended up in Simon Clarke's safe hands to give Robbie Lewis a wicket.

Evans (41) and Paytor (66) continued to take advantage of some loose bowling until they were both stumped by Tim Price. However the scoring rate just kept climbing as Wolstencroft (40no) and Rudge (50) hit some big boundaries adding 90 runs in the last 10 overs. Brookes did claim Rudge's wicket at the end of the innings but the Green were left to chase a challenging target of 277 in their 50 overs.

Keith Middleton and Henry Gregory made a positive start with a mixture of edges and well struck shots to put on 45 in the first seven overs before Gregory was bowled by Sweet for 19 and Middleton was caught behind flashing at a short ball from King for 20.

John Sherliker and Dick Brown took advantage of the attacking field to hit 12 boundaries between them as the 100 came up in the 19th over and the total now seemed attainable.

Reubens, however, had other ideas as he produced an excellent away swinger to bowl Sherliker and took an excellent one-handed diving catch to dismiss Brown.

Tim Price (17) and Bob Rogers (34) continued the attack, each hitting a leg side six, but when these two were dismissed, with over 100 still required, the chances of victory started to fade.

Robbie Lewis mistimed a sweep to give Cole his third wicket and Reuben his second catch leaving Matt Brooker (14) and Mark Jones to bat out the last 15 overs.

Although Brookes was caught off a lifting ball from Wolstencroft and Jamie Longmore (14) fell victim to Spavin's left arm spin, Mark Jones shepherded the tail to safety finished on 12 not out.

Thanks go to match sponsors Barnards Green Opticians.