G Park & Romford 204-7
South Woodford 86-6
(Premier League)

IN A rain-reduced match South Woodford clung on for a draw at table-topping Gidea Park and Romford, when a batting collapse almost cost them for holding out for a draw and six points.

The match was reduced to a 44-36 over game with Park opening the batting in difficult conditions.

And the visitors' opening attack soon held the upper hand as Chris Swainland (three) and Andy Churchill (one) left the hosts struggling on 14-2. Russ Collard (11) was also quickly removed, before Barry Hyam and Chris Hendriks steadied the ship with a partnership of 31 until the latter was trapped LBW on 19. Mike Allen then joined Hyam at the crease and the pair quickly rattled off a partnership of 72, before Hyam was finally bowled by Garry Niecho on 90.

Allen however continued to rattle off the runs before he eventually went for 52, while both Jack Kliber and Rudi Filmalter added nine each and Park were left on 204-7 from their 44 overs. Neicho finished up with South's best bowling figures for the day with 3-71, while Harry Shirt (2-39) provided good support.

With just 38 overs to bat the visitors were always going to find it difficult going, although openers Rizwan Akram (22) and Mo Akhtar (19) got them off to a reasonable start.

Kevin Smith (14) also made a valuable contribution, but the runs soon ran out and with wickets falling at regular intervals with no other visiting batsman coming up with double figure scores, South were just about able to starve off the hosts to hold on for a share of the points.