HALF-CENTURIES from Harry Butler and Flynn Taylor helped Droitwich Spa CC to a winning draw against Pedmore.
Opener Butler and Taylor both hit 10 boundaries en route to a half-ton as the home side posted 240-8 at the end of their 50 overs at St Peter’s Playing Fields.
And Spa restricted Pedmore to 195-8 in reply to take 14 points from the fixture while Pedmore claimed seven points.
The result means Droitwich sit third in the Worcestershire County League Division One table, just nine points behind leaders Bewdley.
Spa won the toss and elected to bat but lost captain Martyn Davies (8) and Jez Hanson (2) to the bowling of Ethan Heardman (2-16).
Butler (68) and Taylor (53) then combined at the crease for a 106-run third-wicket stand as both batters chalked up half-centuries.
However, Jonathan Heardman (2-47) eventually broke up the partnership with the wicket of Taylor and also accounted for Butler soon after.
Droitwich’s middle order added useful runs as Max Young (21) Ash Fearnall (14) and George Taylor (18) all reached double figures with the bat.
And Sam Smith (28 not out) enjoyed an entertaining 17-ball knock to take Droitwich well beyond the 200-run mark despite late wickets from Kayden Skelding (2-46), Dave Skelding (1-38) and Luke Domaschenz (1-50).
In pursuit of 241 for victory Smith (2-46) bowled Domaschenz (12) in the third over of Pedmore’s reply as Spa took an early scalp.
However, Pedmore skipper George Homer (52) and Alex Millard (49) combined for an 89-run second-wicket stand to frustrate the Spa attack.
Young (2-34) ended the partnership with the wicket of Homer but not before the opener had recorded a half-century.
And F Taylor (3-50) removed Millard with the latter one run shy of a half-ton before Young returned to account for J Heardman (8).
Spa skipper Davies (1-43) bowled D Skelding (16) to leave Pedmore five down before F Taylor trapped Matthew Porter (34) LBW.
Smith claimed his second scalp with the wicket of Olly Clare (9) and Taylor took his third wicket after accounting for George Alavoine (1) in the final over.
Pedmore ended their innings with two wickets in hand but still 46 runs short of the required total as Spa took the lion’s share of the points.
Droitwich are next in action against Colwall on Saturday, July 11 with play to begin at 12pm(midday) at Stowe Lane.
