6th August 2011 - Match Reports.
Wednesbury vs BGCC 1sts
North End Lane outfit Barnards Green made the long trip North on the M6 to take on their newly promoted Staffordshire rivals Wednesbury in this week's BDPCL clash. Losing the toss the visitors batted and newly restored top the top of the order Dovey(44) and Hooper set about their task with aplomb putting together a superb 85 run opening partnership. With Dovey's demise however the innings spluttered with regular wickets pegging back the score and with no one in the middle order contributing more than Ford's 19 runs. Hooper however remained steadfast and shepherded the visitors to a creditable total of 253 bringing up a superb 106 containing 19 fours. He was well supported by Hennessy at the end who scored a run a ball 26. Jayamuni the pick of the bowlers with 3-74. After the break McEwan and Harris as so often this season combined to leave the home side reeling at 50-4 and then 100-6 with only Pindy of the top 5 reaching 20. Frustratingly rain took the players from the field with 5 overs being lost as the covers sat on the ground. Upon the resumption the visitors endured more frustration as Jayamuni and Matharu built a superb 112 run partnership with Matharu scoring 45 and Jayamuni registering the second three figure score of the day. Despite both players perishing in the final overs King and Nazir held on for the home side to register a losing draw with Barnards Green taking home the lion's share of 16 points. McEwan again picking up 5 wickets and Harris 2-71. Next week the Green return to home action with second placed Brewood visiting North End Lane with admission free to all.

 

Tenbury 1sts vs BGCC 3rds
Six of The Green's batsmen scored a duck in this match which explains why they were well beaten by a Tenbury side currently top of the division. Jez Clarke (29) batted at number three and, apart from Roger Thompson (47) who was temporarily at his swash-buckling best, Jez was the only Green player who looked anything like a batsman. Perhaps Tenbury were helped a little by some enthusiastic and therefore successful lbw shouts but the bowling was at best adequate and should not have caused problems in the way that it did. The Green had at least seven recognised batsmen in the side and, as all too often this season, only a couple of them seem to score runs on the same day. Extras (19) was the third highest scorer as The Green were all out for 109.
"After an adequate tea" - ( direct quote from Jez ) - Tenbury emerged to make light work of chasing down this paltry total. Fluff Churchill did manage to claim two wickets, both down to sharp stumpings by John Wheeler who looked impressive behind the tack and proved that good technique can easily make up for advancing years. Tenbury's first four batsmen all scored 20 plus and this was difference between the two sides.
When the thirds were humiliated by A & W a couple of weeks ago everyone thought it was a one-off and couldn't happen again. Well, it nearly did this week and unless players start batting correctly then this team is going to continue to struggle and the relegation slot is really not that far away.
If you think this report is a little harsh then please feel free to contribute yourself but sometimes it's better to tell it as it is.