Barnt Green 258-6 Walsall 135-8

Barnt obtain a winning draw

TITLE chasing Barnt Green have yet to find their killer touch in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division.

Green, who have now drawn three of their seven league games, were frustrated by an opposition which played for a share of the points at Cherry Hill Road on Saturday.

The result means that Green, tipped by many to build on last season's runners-up spot by winning the championship, have slipped behind the leaders.

The Cherry Hill Road side is now 19 points behind table topping West Bromwich Dartmouth after a third of the season has already gone.

However, captain Richard Illingworth is confident that his side is well placed to compete for the title.

He said: "We've only lost once in the league all season.

"I know we've had a few draws so far, but the good thing in this league is that a winning draw gives us 15 points.

"It means that we can still get something out of games which we aren't winning."

On Saturday an under-strength side could not dismiss a Walsall team which batted defensively.

Barnt Green openers Richard Hall (58) and Steve Williams (84) gave their side a fine start.

Hall was caught and bowled, but Gloucestershire's Roger Sillence (35) added some vital runs before he was ran out.

Simon Froggatt (7) was dismissed for lbw and Lyndon Jones (12) was bowled out cheaply.

But Kieran Rees (31 not out) and Kris Howes made sure the tail end added some runs as Green record 258 in 55 overs.

The home side wasted little time in ripping into Walsall's batsmen. Gareth Williams removed opener Wright (0) and wicketkeeper Adam Smith caught Baker (0) off Sillence's probing delivery.

Walsall fought back, with Round (38) making an impact before he was ran out.

Mills (20) and Middleton (43 not out) then set about eating into Green's total. However, once Jones had dismissed Mills the wickets started to tumble again.

Williams bowled out Wicker (7), while Sillence removed Radford (4) and Rashid (1).

But Middleton proved to be a stubborn customer and together with Wilson (2 not out) made sure Walsall saw out the whole 55 overs.

Illingworth said: "Walsall had no interest in trying to win the game.

"They knew they weren't going to surpass our total and they just did enough to hang round until the end of the game."