DROITWICH Spa fought hard to secure a well-deserved losing draw against a Bromyard side that contained ex-international stars Zahid Saeed and Dinusha Fernando.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Mike Rogers had Bromyard’s Ash Bullock caught behind by stand-in keeper Ian Cottril.

Captain Edd Oliver and Saeed rebuilt the innings as Bromyard reached 100-1. Jake Young’s leg-spin caused problems throughout, though, and his patience was soon rewarded with the wicket of Oliver (57).

This wicket brought Fernando to the wicket, all but ending Droitwich’s chances of keeping Bromyard to a reachable target. The Sri Lankan took little time in reaching 102 off only 58 balls, making short work of Spa’s bowling line-up as Bromyard posted 272-5.

In Droitwich’s reply, Fernando’s express pace soon removed Young’s off-stump and, next ball, Martin Davies ran himself out to leave Spa 10-2.

Droitwich captain Jerome Connor was the next man to go, which left Cottril and Paul Bryan having to bat for a long time to give their side any chance of not losing the game.

Despite Cottrill twice needing treatment after being struck by Fernando deliveries, the duo batted sensibly to take Spa to 150-3 from 30 overs.

Cottril’s brave innings ended on 67 when he was bowled off an inside edge by ex-Pakistan ‘A’ international Saeed.

Droitwich continued to lose wickets, but Bryan batted on and supported the lower order as Spa managed to pass the target for the losing draw and hold on until the end.