3rd June 2006 - Match reports
Barnards Green 2nd XI vs Alvechurch Barnards Green first team travelled to Alvechurch for this weeks match in the W.C.L. Division One fixture. The weather at last was set dry and sunny, and a good game was in prospect. Alvechurch won the toss and chose to bat, they got off to a rapid first 10 over score of 54 runs, mainly due to some spirited hitting by M. Haywood who led their scoring efforts off some undisciplined bowling, 5 wides and 4 no balls and 9 boundary’s being scored. The second set of 10 overs bowled saw the Greens bowlers tighten up, as they managed to take 3 wickets cheaply. Two to Rob McCard and One to Sam Spencer for only 17 runs. These successes were however short lived as this brought to the wicket the experienced J. Clifford to join M. Haywood, who was 40 not out at this stage of the innings. They proceeded to plunder 84 runs off the next 12 overs, when Greens captain Chris Smedley took a valuable catch to remove M. Haywood for a score of 80. Following this wicket, the remainder of the side fell at regular intervals, until in the last over, with 3 balls remaining, J. Clifford was smartly runout on a personal score of 98 (having hit 7 sixes and 8 fours) to leave the home side at 245 all out. During the tea interval, “ the talk “ was about how Alvechurch should have scored nearer 300 with the start they had, and how Barnards Green with their strong batting were quite capable of getting this total in their 50 over innings. Reality turned out very different from the start, as Alvechurch bowlers bowled line and length so effectively that they restricted the Greens scoring to 32 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the first 10 overs. The second set of 10 overs were even worse, yielding only 26 runs for the loss of 2 more wickets. It was obvious by this time in the match that Alvechurch had a planned approach, their tactics were to bowl spin and medium pace as accurately as possible, linked with a well worked out fielder placements, that on this relatively narrow ground ,made hitting bounders as difficult as possible .S. Ranjan (their overseas player) lead this accurate bowling approach with final returns of 18 overs, for 33 runs and taking 5 wickets. He was well supported by Captain M. Curtice (medium paced) 13 overs, 26 runs, 1 wicket and S. Deakin (spin) who at the end of the innings returned figures of 6 overs 3 maidens 7 runs 1 wicket. Between them these bowlers strangled any hope of Barnards Green reaching their target. Once this was realised a rear guard action was mounted by the tail enders, especially Tim Williams, 11 not out, and Sam Spencer, also 11 not out, who hung on to prevent Alvechurch winning. forcing them to get16 points, instead of 24 for a win, Barnards Green getting 5 bonus points for a loosing draw. Next match is at home on Saturday the 10th of June, against local team, EASTNOR	Barnards Green 4th XI vs Ombersley
Alvechurch vs Barnards Green 1st XI Barnardsgreen entertained Alvechurch on a hot sunny day, with the ground looking a picture who would of thought it was under water not four days before,credit must go to Roy Mayo once again. On losing the toss the home team were asked to bat first, Jason Brewer without the pressure of captaincy ,immediatley dominated the bowling ,with a series of boundries he reached his half century having scored 53 of the greens total of 63.He and liam paddock took the score along to 109 in the 24overs,brewer was out for a fluent 67, andy wheeler joined paddock hitting a quickfire 18 before holing out going for another big shot.Skipper spencer quickly hit 22 before being stumped going for a rash shot when patience was required,the green were now 191 for 4 in the 37th over, they were well placed to make a big score but they followed their captains example and played loose attacking shots , after the departure of paddock for another fine half century innings of 65,the rest of the greens team folded and it was left to glendenning and beaumont to bat out the remaining 6 overs ,trying to avoid donating overs to Alvechurch.The green finished on 230 allout in the 50th over.A very disappointing total considering the fine start given by Brewer and Paddock. Alvechurch started their reply in rapid fashion though it was helped by their openers being fed a series of short wide deliveries which found there way to the boundry in quick succession.The introduction of Thompson and Hooper slowed down the scoring rate.All the alvechurch batsmen chipped in with valuable runs ,but they were well behind the run rate thanks to roger thompsons fine spell of 4 for 35 of 15 overs and lewis hoopers 2 for 58 off 16 overs.With over ten runs per over required it seemed the green were likley to obtain a winning draw.This was until A.Fisher decided to cut loose hitting spencers over for 26 before being superblry caught onehanded by paddock at longoff on the last ball of the over.Alvechurch were now in the driving seat and scrambled home with two wickets in hand and an over to spare. The Green had to settle for 7 bonus points whilst Alvechurch gained 20 for their two wicket victory. A few lessons have to be learnt by the green side if they want to be a force in the top division. MANY THANKS TO MATCHDAY SPONSORS-AUTOMATED PACKAGING
	Brintons vs Barnards Green 3rd XI