ANDY Sutton led by example as Barnt Green held on for a draw in their Birmingham League Premier Division tussle with title-chasing Kidderminster Victoria.
Captain Sutton hit a defiant 55 as Green ended on 154-8 in pursuit of the visitors’ 299 at Cherry Hill Road.
The hosts’ score, however, was a revival after they had stuttered to 19 for four.
Sam Cheshire, William Baker and Matthew Lamb all fell for ducks to leave the score 7-3 and when Ed Pollock went for 11, Green ended a rescue act.
Tom Banton and Sutton took the score to 38 before Banton was trapped LBW and it was left to Sutton and Luke Radford (29) to stop the rot.
Alastair Pollock (19) continued the battle with Sutton and when both fell it was left to Tom Brown (11not out) and Darrel Williams (6no) to hang on at 154 for eight at the close.
Nathan Round produced the best figures for Kidderminster, finishing with 3 for 43.
Bolstered by the inclusion of Neil Pinner following his release by Leicestershire, fourth-placed Kidderminster romped to 299 all out in 54.4 overs.
Round (89), Connor Smith (54), Pinner (44) and Andy Kimberlin (36) led the way, with Radford taking four for 55 for the home side.
Barnt Green face another title contender tomorrow (Saturday), when second-placed Berkswell are the visitors to Cherry Hill Road.
