HALESOWEN look to find some much needed form this Saturday when they go to Coventry and North Warwickshire (midday).

Faisal Shahid’s side were below their best once again at the weekend when they salvaged an unlikely draw thanks to some stubborn resistance from the lower order batsmen.

It’s a worrying run of form and Shahid could now be looking towards the second string, who are on a good run of form, with the possibility of change.

The start at Bridgnorth was delayed by two hours after overnight and morning rain and saw the match was reduced to 38 overs per side.

Importantly, Shahid won the toss and had no hesitation inviting Bridgnorth to bat first on a worn strip that looked likely to take spin.

Opening pair Karl Quiney and skipper James Ralph had put on 30 for the opening wicket before Shahid struck to have Quiney (15) caught behind by Wes Griffiths.

An early bowling change at the opposite end saw Dan Jeavons strike to remove new batsman Ryan Lockley for five to be quickly followed by Ralph (19) to leave the hosts reeling at 42-3.

Solid contributions, however, from the league leader's middle order of Gregory (53), Exall (20) and Weston (35) boosted the Bridgnorth score but the returning Rhodes claimed three late wickets to restrict the total to 179-9 from their allotted 38 overs when they had looked looked like posting a target around 200.

With Halesowen needing to go at around five an over for victory, the response got off to the worst possible start when Zain Shahid, surprisingly promoted to open the innings, fell in only the third over to opening bowler Dale Quiney.

The pinch hitting philosophy failed miserably when Shahid (2) attempted to pull a shortish delivery only to be caught by Weaver at square leg off a top edge and handing the early initiative to the home side, New batsman Faisal Shahid (11) also fell to Quiney when he blocked a full length ball which was caught by the bowlers brother Karl at cover with the total on just 26.

As so often seen in recent weeks Halesowen wickets continued to fall to a series of rash shots and both Stebbings (18) and Gabriel (7) were dismissed playing expansively. That said at 74-4 Halesowen were still well in the hunt needing just over 100 from the remaining 15 overs with opener Kester Moseley still at the crease and big guns Griffiths and Barrett still to bat.

Both, however, were to fall to spinner Whitney in quick succession and leave Halesowen with their backs against the wall at 84-6 and With Jujhar Johal the last recognised batsman it was time to put up the shutters and bat out the remaining overs for the losing draw but when Moseley (31) played inside a straight delivery from all rounder Exall it looked like the writing was on the wall.

Johal (10) fell to the impressive Quiney, who finished with figures of 4-35, Bridgnorth were looking set for a good victory before Dan Jeavons (5 no) and Eddie Rhodes (0 no) stood firm to bat out the remaining five overs for an unlikely draw.

In a rain restricted match at home to lowly Astwood Bank the seconds secured a winning draw, from a revised total, off the last ball of the game.

The seconds are at home to Coventry this Saturday with a midday start.