LEADERS Colwall thirds secured a winning draw at Goodrich seconds in Marches League Division Three.

They remain unbeaten despite losing the toss and taking first knock on a firm pitch, which was not a poor batting surface.

Colwall’s run-rate slowed up to leave them on 39-1 off 15 overs, with opener Alex Mackie departing for 19.

But Dick Tugwell remained resolute against accurate bowling, while Ben Whitaker played well for 24 before being stumped.

Ashley Jones, promoted up the order, hit out before he was caught and bowled for 34 on 120-3 off 30 overs.

Regular wickets fell but Tugwell (71 not out) upped the ante with big shots, aided by Jarred Byers’ vital 14 in Colwall’s 197-9 off 45 overs.

Goodrich lost their first wicket to Jones on 45-1 and Neil Green removed another batsman quickly.

The hosts took on the bowlers, moving the run-rate to above five an over.

But Tugwell (2-20) stepped in to bag two wickets in his first over, including a superb catch by Mackie at short mid-wicket which left Goodrich on 113-5 off 27 overs.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 50 gave them a chance but Jones (2-34) returned to dismiss Stuart Morgan (46).

Green (3-48) picked up two lower-order wickets to restrict Goodrich to 186-8.

Colwall host second-placed Luctonians seconds tomorrow in a top-of-the-table clash (1pm).

Meanwhile, Worcester Nomads beat Birlingham by three wickets in a friendly, thanks to 117 not out from Jamie Oliver.

He was supported by Chris Bland (33) and Craig Saunders (20) as they lost seven wickets in passing the hosts’ 187-6 from 40 overs.

Nomads’ Nigel Dexter, Jack Saunders and Mike Haines took two wickets each.

The under-14s secured an unlikely seven-run win for Nomads off the last ball against Worcester Dominies.

Sam Jones saved the Bransford side’s innings of 86 all out with 50 retired, including one six and seven fours.

Seamer Ben Doyle claimed a hat-trick in his 3-10 as Nomads were reduced to 21-4.

In reply, Dominies lost early wickets to George Watkins before Jack Saunders (2-15) and David O’Hallorn (1-8) stepped in.

Watkins returned to finish with 5-18 and Louis Smith (1-13) bowled Nomads, who fielded impressively, to victory on the last ball.