DROITWICH turned in their best batting display of the season, but had to settle for a winning draw after rain washed out their chances of victory at Hagley on Saturday.

Having been inserted on a slow track, Spa reaped the benefits of an excellent opening partnership of 82 with skipper Martyn Davies (43) and Alex Kolb (34) demonstrating attacking intent.

Their departures followed a period of quiet consolidation for the visitors, with Max Young, Paul Bryan and Kris Corbett all getting established but failing to capitalise.

At 160-6 with 10 overs left, Adam Crowle and Phil Thomas changed the face of the game with a mixture of daring running between the wickets and lusty blows to take Droitwich to 244-7.

Thomas was caught in the penultimate over for 45, while Crowle was not out 38 including two towering sixes in the last over.

The same two players took the new ball for Droitwich, with Thomas being rewarded for an excellent length and line by picking up two early wickets.

The tall and pacy Crowle was desperately unlucky not to match his opening partner as the batsmen frequently played and missed.

After Kris Corbett held a tricky catch to give skipper Martyn Davies his first wicket, Hagley were on 80-3 before rain curtailed the match after 25 overs and forced an abandonment after an hour’s wait.

Droitwich entertain Harvington in the League on Saturday (1pm start).

Misery continued for Spa in the Worcestershire Sunday League with both Droitwich sides comfortably beaten by Redditch.

Aussie Kris Corbett notched a half-century for the Firsts, who fell to a 99-run defeat, whilst the Seconds lost by 8 wickets. James Thomas threatened to post a top score but fell recklessly as Spa could only total 145-9 boosted by a late rally from Jordan Lewis and Leon Payne.

In reply only Ash Walton and Dan McArdle claimed wickets as Redditch won with plenty of overs to spare.