Worcester Park secured a winning draw against the Bank of England in another top-of-the-table clash Saturday at Green Lane to extend their lead at the top of the Division to 10 points, writes Hany Mustapha.

After the confidence of two great run chases in previous weeks, captain Dom Fell lost the toss and Park had to adjust to setting a total first and then bowling out the visitors.

Openers Smith and Waite began cautiously against the pace of Stockton and Bird.

Runs were hard to come by, and Smith was given two reprieves from the Bank as two chances were grassed early on.

The two batsmen built a strong platform against a rather defensive looking Bank, who spread the field relatively early.

The partnership had reached 77 when Waite top-edged an attempted pull off Hannah to Hill at mid-on.

This brought Rob Bell to the crease and he and Smith both began to accelerate, knowing that the pitch was good, and that a large total was needed.

Bell struck Samanta for a sweet straight six, but perished next ball attempting the same having added 47 with Smith.

With the depth of Park’s batting order, quick runs were needed and Rob Hill partnered Dexter Smith as the run rate was pushed higher.

Smith was looking in dominant form, with trademark drives and cuts until he was late on a Hill delivery and was bowled for 81.

He had added 48 with Rob Hill and taken the score to 172-2.

Park needed late runs to push the score upwards and Rob was joined by his brother Joe as they exploited the gaps in the field to add a quick 42 before Rob was bowled by the excellent Stockton.

With just five overs to go, last week’s centurion Sagar was LBW, Marshall bowled and John Daniell run out searching for quick runs as Joe continued to score freely.

Fell declared the innings on 249-7 from 51 overs - a good score, helped by a number of dropped catches from Bank, for whom Stockton impressed with 2-68 and Bird 2-58.

With the track flat and runs on the board, Fell opted to open with the old ball, but Sagar, Waite and Daniell were countered well by the opening pair of Patel and especially Lawrence who was aggressive from the outset.

After 12 overs, the new ball was taken, but Lawrence took a liking to pace man Rob Bell, whose first two overs went for more than 20.

A breakthrough was needed, and it was Marshall who delivered, finding movement from the Pavilion end to have Patel LBW for 18, and bowling Lawrence for a very good 57.

Rob Bell began to find his length and yorked Dickson for 11 and had Smith LBW for without troubling the scorers.

Four wickets had fallen quickly, and Park were on top and sensing a win. To the Bank’s credit, however, Ridgeway and Thorns were attacking from the outset and set about Park’s bowlers as spin was re-introduced.

Their partnership of 64 brought Bank right back into contention, possibly even to win, until John Daniell - who had bowled with good control and flight - cleaned up Ridgway for 47.

With 10 overs remaining, Fell turned to Bell, only for Hannah to deposit his first ball over the fence. The next ball, however, proved the value of the decision as Bell bowled the batsman for 22.

The score was 188-6 and with overs running out Stockton was bowled by Joe Hill still going for a positive result.

With four overs to go and only 3 wickets in hand, Bank decided to shut up shop and Thorns was the only victim thereafter - perishing for 30 off Joe Hill.

Three overs remained and two wickets were needed. However Samanta and Dunthorne stood solid against John Daniel, Joe Hill and finally Rob Bell.

A good game, with all results possible throughout and the fortunes swinging each way.

Park stuck to their task well, and taking eight wickets on a lifeless pitch was a good effort, Bank had a good dart at the chase, and only decided to play for the draw with wickets and overs running out.

Park play Old Wimbledonians next week at home, opponents in the 650-run thriller in the opening round.