Knighton-on-Teme 230-7 Corinthians 178-7

WITH Tim Gasch back to full fitness and taking the helm Knighton had the better of this Worcestershire League Division Five encounter, their 15 points for a winning draw taking them into the top half of the league table for the first time this season.

Gasch called correctly for only the second this year and elected to bat. His openers Mark Evans and Bob Gittins responded with a first wicket stand of 71 before Gittins went for a nice 34.

Last week's centurion Richard Powell came and went without troubling the scorer, and a third wicket stand of 57 between Evans and Matt James until Evans was run out four short of a deserved half-century going for a risky second run.

James batted well for his 64, and he received good support from Rob Cadle who weighed in with 33, and a rapid 10, a six and a four, off two balls by 15-year-old Tom Whistance, to lift Knighton to a competitive 230-7.

Corinthians made a steady start with 46 for the first wicket before seamer Richard Powell made the breakthrough.

A stubborn second wicket partnership between Rob Turner and Gary Gough, who both contributed 34, took the visitors to 98-2. Matt James returned to the attack and bagged the second wicket to start a middle order collapse.

They slumped to 116-6, at which point they seemed content to shut up shop and bat out time for a losing draw.

Although Knighton had some 16 overs to take the remaining three wickets, the visitors eighth wicket pair dug in to play out time.