Durham hold off Bears to boost play-off hopes

DURHAM gave their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast a massive boost when they defeated Birmingham Bears by eight runs at the Banks Homes Riverside

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DURHAM 182-7 BEAT BIRMINGHAM BEARS 174-8 Durham 4pts Birmingham Opts

Needing 183 to secure their sixth win of their Blast campaign, the Bears were restricted to 174 for eight with Zak Foulkes taking three catches and two wickets to add to the ex-Bear Will Rhodes's 51 in his side's 182 for seven

Having opted to bowl first in a match delayed by 70 minutes by rain, the Bears struck an immediate blow when home skipper, Alex Lees, was caught by Ed Barnard off Hassan Ali for four in the second over, the fielder running back from point to take a fine catch. Ollie Robinson was then dismissed when he was caught at mid-off for seven by George Garton in Hassan’s next over but Durham still got to 58 in their powerplay, thanks partly to Sam Hain dropping Clark at point the ball after the opener had hit Danny Briggs for six.