Westcliff picked up 10 points from this entertaining home clash with Ilford, but received a post-match "we're not safe yet" warning from skipper John Pratt.

Westcliff, promoted at the end of last season, are desperate to retain their Premier status and are currently fourth from bottom.

Centurion - Steve Bridgman hit 141 for Westcliff as they drew with Ilford Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

They're 14 points clear of last Saturday's opponents and 21 clear of second from bottom Shenfield.

But two of their remaining three games are against the two teams fighting for the title, Saffron Walden and Wanstead, and the captain said: "We're probably only one win from being safe, but our run-in is far from easy.

"Having said that obtaining high points totals from drawn games as we did on Saturday should do it for us.

"We'd have loved to have won against Ilford, but 10 points from the draw wasn't a bad result -- even though they managed a similar tally.

"What pleased me most of all after some disappointing performances in that department in the previous month was our fielding.

"We did very well. Once they thought their chance of getting the runs needed for victory was out of the question they blocked out the last 10 overs, but we still took three wickets after that and the fielding was excellent."

Former skipper Tim Wade collected the bowling honours with four wickets.

Published Tuesday August 17, 2004

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