Rollleston 2nd XI twice recovered from unpromising positions to secure a winning draw, in the process showing a spirit somewhat lacking so far this season.

Put into bat, Mark James and Ian Wakefield got the innings off to a good star and, following the unlucky dismissal of James, Scott Cobley helped take the score to 69 before Wakefield (35) snicked behind. Three quick wickets saw Rolleston teetering at 101-5, but Cobley was growing in confidence and, joined by Niall Dawkins, mixed careful defence with positive straight driving. The pair doubled the score, Cobley finishing on 88 not out and Dawkins undefeated on 35, the final score of 203-5 being challenging, although some way short of what might have been. The pick of the Alrewas bowlers were S Wiltshire (2-37) and matt Williams (2-51).

Resuming after tea, Alrewas were positive from the start, the 50 coming up in the 10th over and the century stand between J Fern (39) and S Jones(54) left Rolleston looking down the barrel. However, taking the pace off the ball in the shape of John Thompson and Richard Wyatt had started to slow the run rate and the introduction of spin further changed the shape of the game. Having made the breakthrough at 101, skipper Anton Williams started to work his way through the Alrewas line up. Ably assisted by the accurate debutant James Parker (8-0-27-0), Williams turned the game in Rolleston’s favour and, from looking likely winners, Alrewas opted for safety, J Roddick (37) steering the ship to safety. Alrewas closed on 167-8 with Williams claiming a season’s best 6-43 from his full quota of 14 overs.