BRADENHAM had a winning draw at Stow.This was a better all round performance from Bradenham. The batsmen were able to set a good total and the bowlers were back on track on what was a difficult afternoon for all.

BRADENHAM had a winning draw at Stow.

This was a better all round performance from Bradenham. The batsmen were able to set a good total and the bowlers were back on track on what was a difficult afternoon for all.

They look forward to entertaining Topcroft on The Green on Saturday.

At Stow, the weather looked threatening all day and certainly played it's part all afternoon. Bradenham won the toss and, with a strong batting line-up, captain Blakey decided to bat on a hard and flat track which fortunately had been covered.

The outfield was wet also making it difficult for the fielders and bowlers in particular. Bradenham's opening pair of Matthews and Evans put on 41 before Matthews was bowled by Malan for 24.

Evans was out soon after for 11 when he unluckily played on. The in-form Selowa had come in at No 3 and, once again, was playing some lovely forcing shots all round the ground. The game was interrupted regularly from then on by frequent showers which did nothing for the batsmen's concentration.

Nevertheless, Selowa and Denmark managed to add an additional 90 runs, both peppering the boundary regularly with fours and sixes.

Denmark s out first bowled, by Griffin for a good 36, and Selowa was caught at mid off also off Griffin for a classy 60.

This was not an afternoon for the fielders however. Blakey (19) and Dewing (26) added to their misery and Bradenham finished on a respectable 211 all out in the final over.

Following recent results, Bradenham were determined to get something out of this game. None more so than opening bowler Stolworthy who bowled his fastest spell this season and promptly bowled Stow's first three batsmen for 15 runs.

This was the start Bradenham were looking for and with the dangerous Albutt being trapped lbw by Hillier early in his innings, Stow were looking down the barrel at 29 for 4.

Thompson and Marshall steadied the ship from then on putting on 50 but it was Thurley who broke the partnership having Thompson lbw for 23. Landymore then partnered Marshall for a valuable 44 runs before the wily Pat Dewing struck having Marshall out lbw and Landymore caught by Hillier. Stow were 127 for 8 at this stage.

Bradenham had six overs left to come away with a win outright but were unable to break through the Stow tail end and they finished on 154 for 8.

All of the Bradenham bowlers deserve credit for their performances on a wet and difficult afternoon. The pick of the bunch were Stolworthy (3-49) and Dewing (2-16) although Gates, Hillier, Thurley and Denmark all contributed well.

Bradenham (18pts) had a winning draw away at Stow (8pts).

Bradenham: M Evans b Ward 11, S Matthews b Malan 24, M Selowa c Malan b Griffen 60, L Denmark b Griffen 36, R Thurley c Cook b Malan 2, P Dewing c Cook b Mouton 26, K Blakey b Griffen 19, M Hunter lbw Griffen 0, B Stolworthy st Cook b Griffen 9, B Gates b Griffen 0, D Hillier not out 5; extras 19. Total 211. Bowling: S Moulton 11.4-0-61-1, D Ward 13-1-30-1, J Malan 13-1-66-2, P Griffen 12-2-47-6.

Stow: T High b Stolworthy 10, W Denny b Stolworthy 1, J Malan b Stolworthy 0, K Thompson lbw Thurley 23, S Albutt lbw Hillier 7, T Marshall lbw P Dewing 35, R Landymore c Hillier b Dewing 18, D Ward not out 14, S Moulton c Stolworthy b Denmark 2, G Cook not out 8; extras 36. Total (8 wkts) 154. Bowling: B Stolworthy 13-4-49-3, B Dates 13-2-19-0, D Hillier 7-0-37-1, R Thurley 6-3-6-1, L Denmark 6-2-16-1, P Dewing 5-1-16-2.