YOUNAS Saeed led Hale Barns to the brink of victory with a terrific five-wicket haul against Christleton, but they had to settle for a winning draw.

Late-order runs from skipper Christian Dodson steered the team to a competitive total before opening bowlers Saeed and Joe Fretwell-Walsh ripped through the order until a frustrating final stand denied Barns a fourth win of the season.

The visitors’ decision to bat appeared to have backfired as they were reduced to 33-2 inside the first 10 overs, Joe Cooper and Ben Staniforth both going cheaply.

Khurram Hussain showed signs of igniting the innings with a fluent 23, but was sent on his way after being caught and bowled by Joshua Joseph. Arslan Dar (2-34) had Barns 53-4 after 20 overs before Nick Lathbury and Chris Colley formed a solid partnership to provide some much-needed respite.

However, the pair were only able to add 34 when Lathbury departed for 20, while Colley (13) fell soon after to Joseph, who was in impressive form with the ball.

Dodson went on the offensive and smashed an important 38 off 31 deliveries, but Joseph (5-46) continued to take wickets and removed the captain before claiming two more scalps for his five-fer.

With more than 10 overs to spare at 151-9, Saeed (19 not out) and Fretwell-Walsh (14no) saw out the remainder of the innings to guide Barns to 182-9.

In reply, both Christleton openers fell to Saeed in the first five overs and a catastrophic collapse to 11-5 followed, Saeed taking another and Fretwell-Walsh claiming two wickets. Another Saeed dismissal left Christleton reeling on 26-6 and the wickets kept tumbling as Josh Morgan Jones – the first batsman to reach double figures – was stumped by Hussain off Fretwell-Walsh (3-23) for 17.

Saeed (5-27) capped a tremendous spell with his fifth victim to put Barns on the verge of victory with the score on 45-8.

Christleton tail-enders Michael Gaynon and Arran Brearey displayed plenty of grit and determination, adding 44 runs before Cooper (1-30) finally sent Brearey back. However, number 11 Adam Gittins provided stubborn resistance alongside Gaynon to continue Barns’ frustrations.

And despite their best efforts, the away side were unable to break the final partnership as Christleton finished 51 runs short but unbeaten.