RICHARD Illingworth took 7-34 as Barnt Green Cricket Club First XI secured a winning draw at Halesowen last Saturday.

The former England international cut through the Halesowen order as the hosts made 182-9 in reply to Green's 200-9. Lyndon Jones' side stay fourth in the Birmingham and District premier division, five points clear of their opponents.

The captain said: "Obviously you like to win games but I think we did well to get the winning draw.

"Any sort of positive result is good and we are trying to play positive cricket. There's still a lot of areas to improve in."

After losing the toss, Richard Hall (33) and Illingworth (31) were the highest scoring Green batsmen although Richard Wilkinson (27), Jones (25) and Matt Dallaway (23) chipped in to reach 200-9.

Illingworth then took charge with the ball, bowling a 17-over spell, taking an impressive seven wickets for the loss of just 34 runs.

With the league now at the halfway stage, Barnt Green travel to league leaders Wellington this Saturday knowing history is on their side. Jones added: "Traditionally we tend to do quite well from here on in."