HIMLEY had to settle for the wrong end of a drawn contest with Malvern side Barnards Green having finished 10 runs short of victory in Birmingham League Division One.

After being set a testing target of 279 for eight to chase, Himley just missed out in reply as they reached 270 for seven.

Himley skipper Ben Smith said: "It was a great game of cricket and we really gave it a good go in reply but we probably gave them them a few too many runs.

"A total of 260 would have been a more reasonable chase and we probably should have kept them to that had we bowled and fielded a bit better at the end of the innings

"But I always felt we were right in the game."

Having removed opener Mark Hardinges with just one run on the board, Barnards Green buckled down to the task ahead as runs flowed from Alex Hepburn 70, Kyle Giniotis 47, Phil Harris 60 and Will Dovey 46 not out.

Jamie Turner and Chris Boroughs both picked up three wickets - but proved expensive in the process.

Himley then lost key batsmen Greg Wright 8 and Chris Boroughs 2 early in their reply and were reduced to 41 for three at one stage.

Worcestershire's Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Smith himself turned matters around with a fourth wicket partnership worth 119 runs.

Smith led the way with 74 while Kohler-Cadmore supplied 63. Further contributions by Danny Durman with 44 not out and former Worcestershire player Stuart Wedge with 30 wasn't enough.

Smith insisted: "We had two good partnerships but we needed one of them to last another 10 overs to give ourselves a chance of victory."

The result leaves Himley in fifth place, some 30 points adrift of leaders Dorridge with Smith saying: "We could finish up in a position where there are four teams all vying for one promotion place, it's that tight at the top."

Himley host local rivals Old Hill on Saturday, the visitors currently struggling in second from bottom spot.

Smith said: "Some people are looking at this as a must-win game - but in truth, we looking to win every game."

Himley could be without Tom Kohler-Cadmore who is likely to be required by Worcestershire. If not, he will play for Himley.

Smith confirmed: "Tom has already said he will try and play as many games as he can for us this season, which is great for Himley".