JOE Fretwell-Walsh scored a terrific half-century to put Hale Barns first XI in a winning position against Middlewich, but the hosts ultimately fell one wicket short as the game ended in a draw.

Ben Hicks and Callum Schora claimed three wickets each to put Barns on the brink of a second successive victory to begin the season, only for the visitors to hold on to deny the Hale bowlers.

The home team lost Joe Cooper early on for 19 but fellow opener Fretwell-Walsh and overseas player Hashir Dafedar built solid foundations for a competitive total with a partnership of 67.

Dafedar was sent back to the pavilion for a stylish 36, while Fretwell-Walsh’s patient knock of 51 was brought to an abrupt end having been run out.

Khawar Iqbal (24) played a typically flamboyant innings before becoming Adam Donnelly’s (2-63) second dismissal as Barns seeked to accelerate the run rate at 124-4 with 12 overs remaining.

Hicks hit a quickfire 21 and despite Stephen Parry (4-46) taking four late wickets, it was Christian Dodson who produced a destructive display to push the score above 200.

The captain struck a blistering 35 not out from just 14 deliveries to help Hale set an imposing total of 205-8 from their allotted overs.

Dodson was back in the action with the ball as he and Hicks removed the Middlewich openers inside six overs.

Nick Gill pushed the score to 58-2 with a brisk 20 until Fretwell-Walsh (1-23) got in on the act with a wicket of his own.

But the home side were left frustrated by James Prime and Parry. The duo added 69 runs in 22 overs in a valiant rearguard effort as the game looked destined to end in a draw.

However, the momentum swung in Hale’s favour when Schora (3-40) dismissed Prime (37) and Parry (31), as well as Richard Clorley for a golden duck as Middlewich collapsed from 127-3 to 133-6.

Hicks and Dodson (2-32) returned to the attack and took another wicket each, before Hicks (3-29) broke the resolve of Alex Gill (34) to leave the score on 172-9 in the final over.

Barns had two balls to dismiss the number 11 batsman but were unable to do so, meaning the team agonisingly missed out on the victory, instead securing 17 points for a winning draw.