ELWORTH came frustratingly close to their sixth victory of this season in Division A of the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Cricket League as Bignall End's last pair held out for the last 4 overs to force a draw.

Bignall End are currently propping up the table, but the loss of the toss on a good batting pitch left Elworth with the difficult task of bowling out stubborn opponents.

Elworth were invited to bat first for the fourth week in a row and Simon Hardstaff had a new opening partner in Ryan Hudson. This pair missed a century partnership by only 2 runs when Simon was bowled for 59 by Bignall pro Mark Steele in the 25th over. Ryan followed soon after for 36 and then Steele removed Jeff Maynard to reduce Elworth to 112 for 3 after 35 overs.

Last week's opening pair of Mike Robinson and Nick Lee restored their side's fortunes and scoring rate. Bignall End could manage only 48 overs in the 3 hours to tea which was taken at 186 for 3. Lee fell soon afterwards for 41, bowled by the persevering Nixon. Elworth pro Roddy Lovell partnered Robinson to his fifty and the declaration came after 53 overs at 220 for 4.

The Bignall End innings started well with 35 without loss posted by the 10th over. Paul Crompton struck twice in his sixth over to remove both openers. The final 20 overs began with the total on 66 for 3 when the home batsman began a belated attack towards some batting bonus points.

Wickets continued to fall steadily and a run out reduced Bignall End to 154 for 9. A very close lbw appeal was refused and that was the closest Elworth got to victory as the last two batsmen blocked out the remaining deliveries. 8 of the home side's batsmen reached double figures but only Nixon exceeded 20 as he top-scored with 33.

The refusal of the league to award 'winning' draw points and the failure to act against slow over-rates will continue to support the frustrating tactics of teams near the foot of the table. Bignall End claimed 6 points which is what they have averaged all season to leave them in bottom place while Elworth took 9 points, the maximum a side batting first can get in a draw.

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