COLWYN Bay turned in a positive display to secure a creditable draw in their opening Liverpool and District Competition Premier Division draw at Lytham.

There were plenty of encouraging signs for Sion Morris’ men throughout the day both from a batting and bowling perspective, but they fell just two wickets shy of victory and will now begin preparations for their contest against Orrell Red Triangle at Penrhyn Avenue on Saturday.

A strong opening partnership from Zack Gidlow and new signing Ryan Westwell brought 74 for the first wicket before the former was caught off an Alex Mason delivery, with the former Prestatyn star contributing a stubborn 60 from 131 deliveries before falling to the same bowler.

George Johansen was ousted from the crease by Tom Jefferson after making just ten, with Morris making a strong 20 before he played a Jack Saunders ball into the hands of Scott Howarth.

Bay mainstay Adam Campion was another to shine and ended the innings unbeaten on 53 as the visitors declared on 203-4 from 55 overs.

Veteran spinner Paul Jenkins wasted no time in picking up where he left off last season, taking the top order wickets of Matthew Stevenson (8) and wicketkeeper Matthew Taffe (0) in quick success, with overseas star Saliya Saman disposing of dangerous opener Ross Zelem for 18.

Campion helped himself to a pair of scalps in the form of Tom Jefferson (11) and Ed Fiddler (2), and the evergreen Jenkins sent Josh Holden (31), Guy Roberts (3) and Howarth (2) back to the pavilion to end a mammoth 20-over spell with figures of 5-43.

The away side were unable to despatch the final two wickets needed for a first fixture win in the closing stages as the hosts reached 108-8 from 53 to secure a share of the spoils.

Colwyn Bay’s second unit also drew their opening fixture at home to Orrell Red Triangle.