COLWALL held on for a handy losing draw at new Worcestershire League Division One leaders Droitwich Spa.

They bounced back from the previous week’s batting collapse and kept going in temperatures pushing 30 degrees.

Spa elected to bat first but, after an early bowling change, James Gerrish followed up a solid over from Dave Brassett by dismissing Jake Young for a duck.

The controlled Brassett and Gerrish (3-57) limited the hosts’ scoring opportunities and Colwall looked lively in the field.

Brassett claimed an lbw and a bizarre run-out left Spa on 40-3 before Gerrish picked up a second wicket, thanks to wicketkeeper Dan Head’s fine catch.

Young Australian off-spinner Dylan Marshall took his first competitive wicket in the United Kingdom after Jerome Connor (34) and Ian Cottrill (53) steadied the ship.

A second wicket soon followed for Marshall (4-42) as Dan Martin took a fine catch at backward point, which left Droitwich on 106-6.

Cottrill batted positively to reach 53 and Michael Rogers added 37 not out as Spa defied Colwall to reach 201-9 at the end of 50 overs.

The nervy visitors lost three quick wickets, all caught behind off Matthew Biggs (3-20), for 14 runs.

Opener Martin looked comfortable as he watched the wickets tumble around him but was soon caught behind for 21.

Skipper-for-the-day Head tried to settle the innings but victory seemed a distant prospect with the score on 51-5.

However, the Colwall middle order ensured a third sub-100 total did not materialise.

A mature innings from Chris Kendall (9) allowed Head (44) to express himself, taking the score up to 98 before two quick stumpings resurrected Spa’s hopes of a win.

Brassett’s solid defence and Daniel Newby’s clean hitting hinted at yet another possible change in direction for the game.

In the end, despite the boundaries of Newby (41), Colwall could not risk the loss of further wickets in search of victory.

Gerrish saw off the last over to hold on for a losing draw and also seven points on 174-8 off their allotted 50 overs.