CORSHAM'S lower order batsmen Alex Senneck and Neil Shardlow saved their team from defeat against bottom side Cheltenham as their game ended in adraw at the Victoria Ground.

Corsham, who were looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Glastonbury last week, won the toss and decided to bowl.

Bowler Alex Senneck started the game well and took two early wickets, which left the home side on 12 for two. But Cheltenham's Grant Hodnett produced an outstanding display of batting toput this side back on top. Hodnett made 137 off 137 balls, which included fifteen fours and two sixes.

Timothy Percival (65) and Richard Burcher (38) also chipped in as Cheltenham reached a total of 273-7 after 55 overs. Corsham's top bowler was Senneck, who ended on figures of three for 35 with skipper Michael Coles (1-69) and Neeten Chouhan (1-51) taking the other two wickets.

Corsham struggled in reply as Rob Shillaker and Steve Bullen both went for naught leaving their team struggling on 19 for two. Neeten Chouhan (40) and Andrew Davis (28) did improve the situation for Corsham, but this was short lived as they lost two more quick wickets with Coles (5) and Dan Collier (0) heading back to the pavilion.

The unlikely heroes came in the form of of Senneck (33 not out) and Shardlow (20 not out) who managed to bat out the game to secure a losing draw for the away side.

The result leaves Corsham third in Premier One behind Glastonbury in second and Bath in first.

Corsham are at home Bridgwater tomorrow, who are just one place above the relegation zone.