AN INSPIRED batting performance saw Stourbridge Social gain a winning draw away at Worcestershire League Division Three leaders Cookley.

Skipper Richard Milner won the toss and elected to bat on what looked and proved to be a superb pitch.

A good opening stand between the captain and Oliver Stevens was followed by a third wicket stand of 89 between Michael McDonagh (62) and Dan Wilkes (55).

Cookley hauled back some of the momentum but a partnership of 55 between Lance Mellor (38) and Simon Fisher (22) helped Social post 291-6.

The home side’s opening pair of Adam Nicholls and Alex Roden set about their task patiently and the score had got to 93 by the time McDonagh removed the latter.

After Waqas Ahmed dismissed Mitch Taylor for 30, Social looked to be in the ascendancy as Ibrar Yusaf (4-60) ripped through the middle order to leave Cookley 178-5.

But the game took another twist as Andrew Goroll arrived at the crease and hit a quickfire 50.

Tight bowling at the death from Yusaf and Fisher removed any chance of the hosts snatching victory. Nicholls carried his bat for an unbeaten 95 as Cookley finished on 268-6.

Social will look to repeat their batting heroics when they welcome Chaddesley Corbett to Norwood Road this Saturday.