Brave OEs claim a draw

5:52pm Sunday 11th May 2008

OLD Elizabethans claimed a hard-fought losing draw at title-chasers Smethwick in Birmingham Premier League Division Two.

OEs skipper Sean Cairney got the better of the toss and inserted Smethwick on a green surface with a grassy outfield.

Stuart Lockwood (3-49) continued his good run of form with a superb opening burst, accounting for opener Habib for a duck.

But Matt Sprague struggled and sent down nine wide deliveries in the first six overs.

The extras proved to be one of the home side's best chances of scoring as the dependable left-arm spin of Ollie Griffiths (4-49) proved to be the right foil for Lockwood.

Smethwick looked well set but Griffiths and Lockwood removed wickets six to eight without reply.

The final 15 overs yielded just 57 runs as Smethwick closed on 195-8.

OEs' early order completely misfired as Andy Hemming fell with the score on 28 to leave the visitors struggling on 36-3.

James Bull (18) and Simon Macey (57) tried to rebuild the innings but OEs slumped to 125-8.

However, Sprague (23 not out) and Stu Phillips (14no) deprived the hosts of a final bowling point.

n OEs' Seconds entertained West Bromwich Dartmouth in an entertaining losing Division One draw.

Skipper Steve Burgoyne inserted the experienced visitors on a flat pitch with a little moisture.

Dartmouth were restricted to 196-8 as Ryan Biggerstaff (2-34), Chris Pearman (2-46) and Andy Stephens (3-67) took wickets.

OEs' openers David Phillips and Chris Dale scored 42 in good time.

Gardiner and Phillips added 40 to take the score to 82 by the 25th over but bowler Hurdman (3-39) extracted spin and bounce.

Phillips was the only batsman to dominate, hitting nine boundaries in his 79.

Wickets fell regularly but skipper Burgoyne (32no) played his part as OEs settled for a draw.

n Seventeen-year-old Neil Pinner held Kidderminster Victoria together as they claimed a winning draw in the Premier Division.

With Phil Shaw (22) and Josh Knappett (31) falling, Worcestershire Academy prospect Pinner scored 88no in their 266-7.

KVCC were down to 142-5 from 35 overs but Andy Siwicki hit seven fours in his 33 before being caught.

Chris Pyke added a quick-fire 14 and Ted Baylis managed 17no.

In reply, Walmley held out for a draw on 213-8 in fading light.

They lost both openers with only 11 runs on the board as Baylis and Mario Saliwa swooped.

Howell and Booth took the score to 168 by the 38th over but Jonathan Wright (2-21) had the latter caught and bowled for 71.

Two more catches reduced Walmley to 169-5 and new signing Saliwa, bowling superbly in his second spell to finish with 4-58, claimed Howell (77).

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