The green travelled to champions elect
Droitwich hoping to end a three match losing run, stand in captain Ian
Scullion won the toss and asked the home side to bat first.The veteran pair
of Chris Hill and Ian Scullion opened the bowling and proceeded to strangle
the run scoring with only 28 runs coming off the first 13 overs, Scullion
bowled Wright to finish with figures of 1 for 21 off 10 overs and Hill
finished wicketless but only conceded 11 runs, his replacement Tom Clack
took 2 wickets bowling Williams for 24 and Talbot for 4, Lewis Hooper bowled
probably his best spell of the season taking 5 for 27 after he had
Scott-Walker stumped for 11 and Davies caught for 25 the rest of the
Droitwich batsmen offered very little resistance, as Judd Doughty 2 for 5
and Hooper mopped up the tail leaving Droitwich 88 all-out.
A youthful opening pair of Jon Lewis and James Scullion did not last long
with Scullion caught for one and Lewis runout ambling a second run for 4,
Paul Drinkwater and Paul Yorke made short work of obtaining the runs
Drinkwater finished 19no and Yorke 64no , Yorke was severe on all the
bowlers hitting his 50 in 25 balls , and smashing 9 fours and 3 sixes in his
unbeaten 64. The green gained 20 points to finish in a midtable position .
Many thanks to all supporters who have followed the green this season , and
appreciation to all matchday sponsors. |
On the final day of the season Barnards Green
hosted local rivals Malvern at North End Lane. With the Green already
crowned champions and Malvern safe from relegation both sides could have
been forgiven for showing signs of complacency however early exchanges
showed that the local rivalry was enough to gee up both sides.
Malvern were asked to bat first by home skipper Smedley and were soon
trouble as the in form Matthew Brookes captured the early wickets of Bendall
for 0 and Baugh for 13. When his swing disappeared it was left to
Hoogstraten to continue an economical start. This was not achieved, however
he did pick up 2 wickets for 24 in his 4 over spell including the scalp of
Francis who was caught like a rabbit in the headlights offering no stroke
and was adjudged plumb LBW. Adam Dovey was the big kiwis other scalp showing
some promise before perishing for a well made 24.
It was left to spin to finish proceedings as Ford and Smedley combined to
take the final 5 wickets for 82 runs with the other wicket going to
Williams. Smedley was the pick of the spinners with 3-10 off his 11 overs.
Ball with 39 and Dimond 24 the only notable contributions in score of 194
all out.
After the tea time presentation of the Division 2 Champions shield Golder
and Williams strode to the crease to set about the run chase. Golder was
brutal on the opening attack and forced the bowler into a number of errors
as he struck boundary after boundary in his assault against the total. When
Williams fell for 5 the scoreboard had advanced to a staggering 84. Young
gun Liam Paddock joined Golder and again looked assured at the crease as he
crafted another mature innings. Golder finally perished for 88 bowled by Lee
having forged another partnership of 80.
The final nails in the coffin were hammered in by former Rambler Mark Hooper
who combined with Paddock to see the Green home with a massive 14 overs
remaining. Paddock finishing yet again tantalizingly short of a milestone on
49 not out.
Malvern 194 all out
BGCC 195. Golder 88, Paddock 49*
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