BGCC 2nd XI vs Harborne
After
returning from the clubs cricket tour of Torquay the seconds side
was decimated by injuries and unavailability's, leading bowlers Sam
Spencer and Lewis Hooper were unavailable after visits to Torquays
A&E.The side to play visiting Harbourne was a mixture of seven green
youngsters and extra experience of green legend Dave Creese who
seemed to be healthier than many of the younger tourists.Phil
Harris took the new ball and took a wicket in his first over,at the
other end Ian Scullion was bowling off only a couple of paces due to
a hamstring injury,he still was able to trouble the batsmen with his
controlled swing bowling,Tom Clack replaced Harris and only
conceeded 18 runs in his 5 over spell,Jamie Longmore took a couple
of overs to find his rythm but returned respectable figures off his
8 overs in the middle of the innings.With Harbourne well placed 180
for 3 off 39 overs Skipper Spencer introduced the expierenced Creese
into the bowling attack ,this had the desired effect he removed the
dangerous Garbutt for 87, Robbins for 42 and Akhtar for 27,Phil
Harris returned to finish off the overs ,in a superb spell he
finished up with 3 for 47 off ten overs.Creese ended up with 4 for
13 from 5 overs,Harbournes innings finished on 228 when they were
bowled out in the 49th over,a good display again in the field
considering the limited resources,both 14 yearolds Clack and
Scullion [jnr] bowled tidy spells which bodes well for the
future.Dave Knapper who was hampered by back injury picked up on
tour and Dave Creese opened the innings against the pacey Iyer and
accurate Wilson ,these two did thier job of seeing off the new ball
,the opening stand was broken in the 16th over when Creese was out
for 20 with the score on 57.Knapper soon followed for 29,this
exposed the young middle order of the green side.But as has been the
case this season Jon Lewis 18,LiamPaddock 19 and Phil Harris 28 all
made contributions .At 113 for 4 skipper spencer joined Harris
,together they took the score along to 162 when Harris was
out.Spencer was next out when the green were on 199 his 51 had
brought the target within sight,it was left to Ian Scullion 25no and
Tom Clack 11no to see the green home in the 43rd over with 4 wickets
in hand.A fine team performance but with special mention for Phil
Harris for his alround performance with bat,ball and in the field,
not forgetting the part Dave Creese played with bat and ball.At the
start of the day the green needed 17 points to win the league,with
the 20 points gained today they have made sure local rivals Malvern
cannot overhaul them with one game remaining.
Many thanks for the match day sponsors "ALDINE PRESS"
Harborne vs BGCC 1st X1
On Saturday Barnards Green CC 1st XI traveled to Harborne
knowing that 13 points would finally secure promotion to division 1 of
the Worcestershire league.
With this in mind and a hot day a flat wicket Green skipper Chris
Smedley had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Mark Hooper struck
to glorious boundaries before being caught off an equally attractive
shot, leaving the Green 15 for 1. Daniel Flynn was then dropped first
ball to a simple chance at square leg. This was to cost Harborne dearly.
Kevin Golder was also dropped early on and after these scares the pair
set about destroying the home attack. The ball was flying to all parts
with Flynn in particular showing no mercy to the bowlers. Golder too was
stroking the ball well and the pair completed 50’s. Flynn then found
some more gears and raced to a hundred in the 21st over. After drinks he
continued his savage attack as the Green raced to a huge total. Flynn
finally fell attempting another aerial shot and was caught at deep extra
cover for 184. The innings included 15 sixes and took just 27 overs.
Golder completed a superb century shortly after. Gary Lewis contributed
32 and Tim Clarke an unbeaten 20 as the Green posted a colossal 417 for
6 in 48 overs declared.
Realistically needing only 3 wickets for promotion the Green started
well when Tim Williams removed both openers with the aid of catches from
T. Clarke and Golder. Paul Drinkwater then got the vital 3rd wicket
caught behind by Adam Binks. Harborne then dropped the anchors and made
no attempt to score and concentrated solely on survival. Jez Clarke and
later Daniel Flynn and Duncan Bell picked up wickets but the Green were
unable to gain any momentum and ran out of overs. Harborne closed on 155
for 7. The Green picked up 15 points and so guaranteed promotion to
division 1. The Green has achieved a second successive promotion and is
testament to all the hard work that both the players and club officials
have put in. They will be looking forward to the challenge that division
1 will undoubtedly provide as the club moves on in these exciting times
for all involved. On Saturday the Green complete their league campaign
at home to Netherton, the side that has chased them down for so long. |
BGCC Singles vs Belbroughton
In a dramatic finale to the season Barnards Green
‘Singles’ gained the necessary points off the last ball of the match to
see them crowned as the WCL Division 5 Champions.With tour hangovers on
display and did Curts have the heart for the match everyone knew this
was it.
The ‘Singles’ were asked to make first use of a dry wicket and openers
Ratcliffe and Doughty made steady progress until Ratcliffe parted for 7.
Freeman kept Doughty company as the prolific opener started to find the
boundary. Freeman was then unceremoniously retired hurt with one that
jagged back and the clunk on his protector was heard around the county.
Some thought he might have Mumps as lumps appeared in his neck. With
Belbroughton giving Edwards a deserved rest the Green accelerating the
scoring as Curtis peppered long on and off whilst Doughty was now
striking the ball to all parts and his dismissal for 48 came as a
surprise to all. The Green middle order decided today was the days for
runs and all made significant contributions to the total. Curtis 29 @
168 beats per minute, Brown with a sparkling 44 using all parts of his
bat to good effect, Beavan with a wristy 34 and a powerful 27 from
Metcalfe ensured the Green posted a decent score. The returning Freeman
and Hill perished in the quest for quick runs but 243 looked a good
score.
The Belbroughton response was serene and the Green knew that the winning
draw would be sufficient for the Championship. After Boardman’s
dismissal the incoming Burrows upped the tempo but the scoring rate was
creeping ever upwards. Matt Brookes bowled twelve straight for a miserly
27 but the batters now went on the offensive. Ratcliffe could not find a
bowler to make the necessary breakthrough until Hill had Knights well
caught in the deep for 43 when Brown leapt from his chair to take an
excellent catch. G Ross made his attacking intentions clear from the
first ball and with Burrows starting to open up the ‘Singles’ found
themselves on the back foot. With 80 needed off 13 overs the title was
slipping away, Steve Beavan then ran out Burrows for a fine 68. Doughty
was brought back and quickly removed Ross for 48. Belbroughton continued
the chase but the Green were missing vital chances in the deep until
Doughty aided by the excellent hands of Chris Hill put the ‘Singles’ in
charge with 5 for 48. Stokes had other ideas and with 33 required off
the last three overs smashed the ball with gay abandon, Metcalfe spilt a
chance and injuring himself bringing Bob Rogers onto the field of play
as substitute. With 18 required off the last over it was down to wise
campaigner Chris Hill to bowl. A boundary, dot and single brought Stokes
on strike who smashed a huge six then a scrambled two leaving
Belbroughton with six to win. To the delight and relief of the ‘Singles’
players he could only manage two and Barnards Green were the 2005
Division 5 Champions.
The champagne cork flew, and was dropped by Ratters but the achievement
will long be remembered. Well done Ratters! And well played all those
that played a part in the champion effort.
P.S. Bob Rogers is expecting a medal for his one over fielding stint! |