OVERSEAS star Atiq ur Rehman stroked a superb 134 to set up a winning draw for Eastnor in their Birmingham League Division Two clash at Coventry and North Warwickshire.

Atiq faced only 111 balls, 16 of which were despatched for four and one for six, in his highest score of the season as Eastnor piled up an impressive 297-8 from their 55 overs.

He shared in a stand of 182 for the fourth wicket with Dave Waters, with the former Harvington player striking nine boundaries as he eased to 62, his highest score since joining the Herefordshire club this season.

Opener Andrew Fisher (26) batted well in the early stages but three wickets had gone down for 59 when Atiq and Waters came together.

"Andrew Fisher was going well until he missed a straight one but Atiq batted really well and barely offered a chance," said Eastnor spokesman Malcolm Hughes. "And Dave Waters looked very solid.

"It was a good batting pitch and we always looked like getting a score approaching 300."

The home side began their reply in a rush after their innings was reduced by seven overs after rain during the tea interval.

They had 39 runs on the board after four overs and passed 100 in the 16th over.

But 16-year-old spinner Suleyman Shah played a key role in reducing the run rate as he picked up 4-40 from 12 overs.

"His figures would have been even better had three catches not been dropped off his bowling," said Hughes.

But Coventry kept up the pressure until they lost their ninth wicket in the final over, with the last pair playing out the final five deliveries to secure the draw.