Despite a solid team display, Chesham were held to a draw in their Thames Valley League Division One match against Yateley on Saturday.

A shaky start saw a much changed Chesham lose Tom Free and Mark Eteen for one and three respectively early on.

What followed was an exercise in composed batting from Luke Webb (40) and Andy Goddard (34) who put on 75 for the third wicket.

Stuart Lipo (2-49) claimed both Webb and Goddard’s wickets in successive overs to hand his side renewed belief.

The cheap dismissals of Gift Kwatsha (14) and Jack McIver (0) only served to add fuel to the Yateley fire, and but for the efforts of Pip France Chesham would have been struggling.

The number six smashed 41 from just 25 deliveries before being caught by Dan Vincent off the bowling of Harry Bartlett (3-61).

The home side’s innings appeared to be dying out, but an excellent last wicket stand of 57 between Matt Yeabsley (39 not out) and Asad Rehman (22 not out) added some gloss to their score.

Yateley were left chasing 224 to win and made a steady start after Chesham had opted to open with a spin attack.

The introduction of stand-in captain McIver changed the pace of the game though and he was the day’s most productive bowler with 3-27.

Peter Clifford (2-14) was also a useful asset until a pulled muscle ended his match and led to the return of spin in the form of France.

He added to his fine batting display with figures of 2-46 to reduce Yateley to 147-8 and leave his side in the ascendancy.

Chesham would ultimately be frustrated, however, as Anthony Muir (5 not out) and Bartlett (4 not out) saw off 74 deliveries between them to secure the draw.

A win for table topping Stoke Green leaves Chesham 36 points adrift in second place ahead of a match against Marlow on Saturday.