RUGBY CC’s tail order dug in with the bat in a thrilling draw against Streetly as Noah Massey and Jeevan Barhey scored half-centuries.
Opener Barhey and lower order batter Massey both reached half-tons as Rugby survived the final 3.4 overs of their innings with just one wicket in hand at Streetly Sports Club.
Rugby closed on 241-9 to secure a draw and take 12 points from the fixture after Streetly posted 256-9 from their 50 overs to take the lion’s share of the points.
The result means Rugby sit seventh in the Warwickshire County League Premier Division table.
Streetly won the toss and elected to bat as steady runs from Matt Hinton (22), Hammad Ur Rehman (20) and Joshua White (15) built up the home side’s total.
Middle order pair Roshon Primus (69) and Hasnain Mahmood (55) both reached half-centuries for Streetly with the former’s runs coming from just 42 deliveries.
And Streetly’s tail order frustrated the Rugby attack as Muhammad Ali (29 not out) and Steve Hinton (13 not out) took the hosts past the 250-run mark.
Rugby’s Tyrese Karelse (5-39) claimed a five-wicket haul while Daanyal Sadiq (2-52) took the crucial scalp of big-hitter Primus.
And Advay Pophali (1-18) removed Mahmood while Massey (1-61) also chipped in with a wicket.
Rugby made a strong start in reply as openers Danny De Souza (18) and Barhey (52) put on 71 runs for the first wicket.
However, both batters fell in quick succession as S Hinton (4-32) claimed his first two wickets.
And Zakhir Ahmed (3-34) trapped Pophali (6) LBW as Rugby slipped to 80-3 in the 17th over.
Karelse (24) and captain Owen Edwards (24) improved the total although Henry Parker (1) departed cheaply to Ali (1-51).
The visitors looked in trouble on 129-6 in the 31st over before Massey (56) combined with Alex Watson (28) at the crease in a strong seventh-wicket stand.
Massey reached a half-century in a 50-ball knock which included six fours and three sixes to give the away side a chance of outright victory.
However, Wahab Shahid (1-59) eventually removed Massey in the 44th over while Sadiq (3) fell soon after to leave Rugby on 232-9 in the 47th over.
Rugby had one wicket in hand and needed 25 runs for victory as Darshin Solanki (18 not out) hit three boundaries.
Solanki faced 34 balls while final batter Ash Cutts (0 not out) survived 10 deliveries to ensure the game ended in a draw.
Rugby are next in action against Leamington 2nds on Saturday, July 18 with play to begin at 12pm(midday) at Arlington Avenue.
