EXHALL stayed in touch with leaders Bretforton after posting a win at Stratford Bards on Saturday.

Exhall skipper Simon Hollands won the toss and elected to put Bards into bat on what looked to be a good batting wicket. New ball bowler Steve Keen returned to the starting eleven after a long lay-off with a back injury with immediate effect when he had the dangerous Sandeli Masamgemi caught behind for two.

Fellow opener Pete Dawson enjoyed some luck when he was missed in the slips by Hollands off the pacy Steve Kerby, and took full advantage, crashing a number of boundaries over the cover region.

Dawson eventually fell for an excellent 97, with partner Richard Pozzi accumulating a patient 60.

Kerby returned to take three late wickets, but a quick-fire 50no by Ed Dixon provided Bards with a competitive 228.

Exhall started brightly, with makeshift opener Leon Gates proving particularly fluent.

He fell for a well-made 38, but when Charlie Mulraine (24) and Matt Gwynn (37) fell in quick succesion, 100 runs were still needed off the final 14 overs.

And when Kerby fell for 18, it was left to Scott Carmichael and Hollands to try to see Exhall home.

An excellent spell from Masamgemi left Exhall needing ten to win from the final six deliveries of the match.

Hollands crashed the second ball of the over through wide mid-on for four, and following some scampering by the pair, the scores were tied with one ball to go.

Carmichael played his trade-mark late cut for four, finishing on 53no, Hollands on 47.

With leaders Bretforton also maintaining their imperious form, Exhall stayed 14 points behind in the title chase and visit Tanworth-in-Arden on Saturday (2pm start).