Stourbridge 266-7 dec (16pts)
Droitwich 131-5 (4pts)
Match drawn

DROITWICH Spa CC's attempt to climb out of trouble in Crusader Worcestershire League Division One was hit by the rain when they travelled to top of the table Stourbridge.

Spa gave Max Young his first team debut, replacing Neil Wright, while Adrian Field was also welcomed back.

Without suspended captain Andrew Fletcher, Karl Goddard continued to lead the side and and chose to bowl first after winning the toss.

Goddard and Field opened the bowling for Spa but the Stourbridge openers got off to a quick start and established a solid base.

This brought Neil Davies into the attack who picked up a quick wicket, caught in the covers by Jake Young.

Young then took the wicket of dangerman Oliver Hill (47), after smart work from Steve Walsh.

Bryan dismissed Josh Banks (24) as Spa fought back.

But, like at the beginning of the inning the Spa bowlers failed to maintain consistent lines and the Stourbridge middle order cashed in.

Goddard and Field came back into the attack to slow the rate down, but Stourbridge amassed a huge total before declaring with 46 overs gone.

In reply, Jerome Connor, a centurion the previous week, looked to give Droitwich a good start, but fell early on.

Gary Cartwright looked solid, but he saw the wickets of Connor and Hamilton tumble at the other end.

This sent keeper Walsh to the crease, who established a strong partnership with Cartwright before he was caught square of the wicket.

New-boy Young played some impressive shots before he was out LBW by James Musk.

Spa looked to press on and when rain brought an end to play, they had fallen just two runs short of gaining an extra two points.

Droitwich Spa travel to Worcester CC this weekend.