WORMELOW maintained their improved form in Division 2 of the Crusader Worcestershire County League with a winning draw in a rain-affected game against local rivals Luctonians at Mortimer Park.

Luctonians batted first and reached 183-8 at the end of their allotted 50 overs. As there had been two rain interruptions in the first innings, Wormelow re-quired 184 off 42 overs for an outright win, and 154 for a winning draw.

They comfortably reached their first target, but fell agonisingly three runs short of their prime objective after losing late wickets to the spin attack of Ed Rollings and James Sparey, finishing on 181-9. Wormelow picked up 14 points, and the home side nine.

Luctonians lost both openers cheaply when they batted first, leaving Rollings and Sparey to set about repairing the damage. When James Cutler bowled Rollings (26) at 48 it induced another collapse, and the score slipped to 73-5.

Dave Bottoms joined Sparey to steady the ship and had taken the score to 122-5 when rain interrupted play for the second time after 41 overs. After an early tea, the pair increased the tempo in the final nine overs, Sparey taking his score to 79 before becoming the first of three late victims for Steve Wild (3-56). Bottoms batted out to finish undefeated on 32.

Luctonians got away to the perfect start, Dave Mumford and Simon Davies each taking a wicket in their first over to have Wormelow reeling at 5-2. Davies started with four maidens and, with just 10 runs on the board after six overs, even the winning draw looked remote for the visitors.

A partnership of 117 between Ben Owens (68) and Tim Boulter turned the game in Wormelow's favour. Wickets started to tumble after this and the only other batsman to reach double figures was Jamie Langford (13) as Rollings (4-51) and Sparey (2-38) kept the home side in the game. Boulter was 72 not out at the close.

Monmouth's batting frailties continued when they were bowled out for just 81 and visitors Netherton went on to win by the comfortable margin of eight wickets.

Ian Mackinlay (26) and Jonathan Roberts (23) were the only two batsmen to offer serious resistance when Monmouth took first strike in their first home appearance of the season. The damage was done by the seam bowling of M Clouston (7-44).

Aled Jones and Roberts each took a wicket, but S Oseland (45 not out) steered Netherton to an easy win in the 20th over.

Teenager Matthew Evans brought up his third half-century in three innings when his unbeaten 68 guided Wormelow 2nd to a seven-wicket success against Luctonians 2nd.

Monmouth 2nd's Ian Morgan found his batting form with 67 but his innings was only sufficient to help his side to a losing draw at Netherton 2nd.

Monmouth were able to reach just 159-6 in reply to the home side's 202-8, in which Tom Baker returned 3-69.