COLWYN Bay turned in an improved performance to secure a home draw with Liverpool and District Cricket League Premier Division rivals Rainhill.

The Penrhyn Avenue side fell just two wickets short of a much-needed victory in their fight for survival, and Sion Morris’ men are now just three points clear of the drop zone ahead of their trip to Lytham on Saturday.

Bay’s time at the crease did not begin well as Zack Gidlow and George Johansen both fell early for 15 and a duck respectively, with Morris caught off a David Atkinson delivery after making just three.

Opener Pat Leach and Adam Campion provided some resistance to steady the ship with knocks of 31 and 37, before overseas star Dimeth Hewathanthree took over proceedings with a scintillating knock to put the home side in the ascendancy.

The talented batsman hit 11 boundaries to end the day unbeaten on 82 from 100 deliveries, and a double-figure score from Will Higginson (15) enabled the home side to declare on 211-9 from their 60 overs in the middle.

Atkinson was the pick of the visiting bowlers, finishing with figures of 5-71 from a mammoth 21-over spell, with Ashkay Darekar helping himself to three wickets at the expense of 98 runs.

Home bowler Ryan Holtby made a sensational impact with the new by removing Mike Rotheram (0), Matthew Fletcher (9) and James Clarke (0) early on, and Gareth Goodson also got in on the act with the prized scalp of Tyler McGladdery for a duck.

This trend continued as Paul Jenkins disposed of skipper Ben Edmundson and Paul Ford for 23 and six, and Holtby took his final figures to 4-46 with the wicket of Ashen Daluwattage (38).

Unfortunately for the hosts, Atkinson continued his excellent afternoon on both sides of the ball with a match-saving innings that ensured both sides went home with a share of the spoils, smashing 12 fours on his way to 89 not out as the day ended with the visitors on 182-8.