Although he is in early pole position for the Birmingham Midshires' end-of-season award, Wardens have failed to convert winning opportunities in both games, this time being forced to settle for eight points from a losing draw.

His outstanding figures of 6-43 off 16.2 overs put Wardens firmly in the driving seat at the half-way point, as the hosts were bowled out for 189.

Six of the Sutton Coldfield-based club's batsmen passed 20, but none went beyond opener Mo Usman's hard-hit 43.

This effort included the ultimate in flying starts, when the match's first delivery was despatched out of the ground.

Scott Stenning's men showed great resilience in the field. When Walmley raced to 70-0 off twelve, a target of 250 plus looked a distinct possibility. Then some energetic fielding, plus accurate bowling from Jordan and Sitanshu Kotak (3-36 off 16) totally changed the picture.

In response, Wardens lost two early wickets, before Anthony Wilkinson and Kotak dug in to see off the new ball, with which seamer Greg Ricketts always threatened.Opener Wilkinson (74) played the innings of the day, and in partnership with Andy Whitehall (17) he took the score to 144-4, at which point Wardens were favourites.

However, it was the kind of pitch on which the batsmen were never properly in. Walmley claimed four quick wickets, including two batsmen caught via their helmets, forcing the visitors to settle for a draw at 168-8.

Glasshouse Park groundsman Geoff Calcutt comfortably outwitted the best efforts of the Wardens and Walmley 2nd XI attacks, as his magnificent surface produced a high-scoring draw.

Wardens' average bowling performance, coupled with a shoddy display in the field, allowed their visitors to amass an enormous 306-3 from 50 overs.

After only two games, it is apparent that the 2nd XI Premier Division contains some quality cricketers. Walmley's top order has four of them, including Dan Bromley (83) and David Leigh (104no), who added over 200 for the third wicket, to boost the flying start provided by their openers.

Wardens' run chase produced more excellent batting, with Stuart Smyth, Bernie De Souza, Adam Smyth and Paul Smith all passing 40 in good time, but none went on to make the hundred that would have won the game.

With 103 required from ten overs, a home win still looked a remote possibility. But the dismissals of Smith, Fred Rex and Richard Linfield meant Wardens were forced to settle for a losing draw at 260-7.

Wardens 3rds took first use of what proved to be a difficult Cotswolds League wicket at FISSC and struggled to 40-4 off 20 overs against a home attack that exploited the conditions to good effect.

Puneet Kumar made his second good batting contribution of the season - his partnership with the ageless Andy Griffiths ensuring the visitors had 124 to bowl at. Both batsmen made 33, good efforts in the face of some excellent bowling from Kane (2-11 from 10 overs).

Captain Keith Berry rang the changes, using a seven man attack in an attempt to unsettle the Stratford-based side. FISSC were undaunted, however, coasting to a comfortable seven-wicket win with 20-plus overs in hand.

Hawkins contributed a well-made unbeaten 39, but it was man of the match Kane who grabbed the eye, stroking some lovely boundaries in his 47.

Julian Jackson's 4ths were inserted by Exhall & Wixford 3rds on a good pitch at Glasshouse Park.

Solid contributions from Neil Johnson (33) and Jonty Blade (78no), plus 22 apiece from Rich Bennett and Phillippa Rawbone, saw Wardens post 186-7 from their 45-over allocation.

After making a highly successful return from a 15-year exile the previous Saturday, Mike Sorrell was reminded of the old adage about cricket being a great leveller, when he parted company with his off stump second ball.

This total looked inadequate at tea, a suspicion that was confirmed when a fine unbeaten 67 from opener Canning and 37 from Coates eased the visitors home with five wickets and nine overs in hand.
John Orton took 2-44. for the home side.