REDDITCH ensured their Division Two West status with a hard-fought draw at Penn.

Penn, batting first, made a brisk start to their innings, despite losing an early wicket to Dave Apperley.

It was soon realised it was a spinner's pitch and with the introduction of John Lostitch, 5-57 and Dan Friedrich, 2-69, the scoring rate was slowed and Penn posted 212-8.

In reply, Redditch were soon in trouble at 23-3 then Dan Protherough 34 and Dan Friedrich 81 not out took the game to the Penn bowlers and added 83 in 28 overs. Redditch then lost three quick wickets but 16-year-old Adam Gailey (13no) helped Friedrich add 53 in 12 overs to get the required draw.

Captain Nev Mason was satisfied with the team's achievement, commenting: "The most important thing was not to lose on Saturday - our position in the league is safe for next year and we can't be relegated.

He added: We have achieved what we set out to achieve at the beginning of the season, a mid-table position.

"Obviously it would have been great to have done better, but we had a few people unavailable for personal and work reasons."