Bridgnorth (179-9) gained a winning draw against Halesowen (110-9)

However, the skies cleared in early afternoon and the infamous drainage potential at Cricket Meadow again came to the rescue, along with another good pitch that was well covered. Play got underway at 2pm, with visitors Halesowen winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in a match reduced to 38 overs per side.

Bridgnorth made a solid start to reach 30 without loss before wickets began to fall as most of the top order got in but failed to make telling contributions. In-form pair Simon Gregory (53) and Tom Weston (35) then came together at 71-4 and worked to lay the foundation for a strong total, putting on 82 runs for the fifth wicket.

But the hosts couldn’t take advantage as a flurry of late wickets saw the innings close at a competitive 179-9. The bowlers needed to strike early to gain the major initiative.

Dale Quiney duly obliged with an early breakthrough, and the Cricket Meadow men worked hard to maintain the pressure. As the runs dried up, Bridgnorth began to take wickets at regular intervals as the bowlers hunted as a pack, backed up by solid catches in the field.

Quiney made a welcome return to his early-season form to take 4-35, Dave Exall continued in typical miserly fashion with 3-11, and Sam Whitney chipped in with 2-25 as the visitors were reduced from 57-2 to 102-9. Four overs remained for the hosts to take the final wicket, but Halesowen held on for the draw, although Bridgnorth took the lion’s share of the points.

The top four in Birmingham League Division Two are now separated by just three points, and Bridgnorth host fifth-placed Old Elizabethans next week.