A CAPTAIN’S century from Max Young sealed a priceless win and confirmed Droitwich Spa’s great escape in Worcestershire County League Division One.
Last weekend’s six-wicket victory at second-placed Colwall was Spa’s fourth in five matches, helping secure their survival in the division with one game remaining.
The hosts suffered a torrid start to proceedings when slipping to 34-3, with Adam Keen (2-20) removing openers Ben Cooke (7) and Fergus Cameron (1) and Max Young (3-73) taking his first dismissal of the match by bowling Andrew Robertson (9).
Colwall’s middle order helped up the run rate somewhat, with Nick Brown (26), Alistair Pearce (20) and Peter Recordon (16) chipping in to take their side to 102-6.
An eighth-wicket partnership of 109 between James Wagstaff (34) and Ben Wheeler (92no) boosted the hosts’ chances, taking them to 219-8 and leaving Droitwich with a victory target of 220.
In reply, Spa recorded a stunning stand of 172 to open their innings, with Martyn Davies (89) and Young (101no) putting Droitwich within reach of a shock victory against the title hopefuls.
While Davies fell short of a century, caught by Nick Brown off Robertson (3-48), Young battled on.
He lost three teammates in quick succession, with Jack Eaton (1) and Paul Bryan (0) both trapped lbw by Robertson, while Jake Young (3) suffered the same fate at the hands of Wagstaff.
But with number six David Huntbatch (14no) in tow, the pair were able to see out the victory in the 47th over, confirming Droitwich’s Division One status after a remarkable fightback in recent weeks.
Spa can now look forward to their final fixture of the season against Cookley on Saturday (12.30pm) with safety assured.
