19th July 2008 - Match Reports.

BGCC 2nd XI vs Alvechurch

The Green's team had a very different look about it this week, with the club struggling with unavailability for various reasons skipper Spencer dug deep into the clubs resources,the team that was fielded had an age range of 14 to 62, with various stalwarts of different era's coming together in the clubs hour of need. The ground looked its usual immaculate picture thanks to Roy Mayo's new big kids toy. The toss was won and the intrepid mixture of youth and experience took to the field. Matt Brookes opened the bowling but was struggling with tiredness Tom Banks at the other end relished his chance to have the new ball, bowling a lively spell taking the important wicket of Gilmour smartly caught by the debutante J J Hall, Brookes had the other opener Jones smartly caught by James Curtis in the covers, J J Hall ran out Morrison with a smart piece of fielding then Jamie Longmore's tight spell was rewarded with the wicket of Russell smartly caught by  keeper Ash Brewer standing up. The Alvechurch innings was looking in big trouble until a 5th wicket partnership of 125 between Jeramias 72 and Sidaway 54 swung the game in favour of the visitors. Veteran Rob Lewis was introspected to the attack , he bowled a tight line and length with just enough away swing to make it difficult for the well set batsmen, his 12 over spell only went for 36 runs and with the aid of Spencer 3 for 38 off 9 overs brought the visitors score down to a respectable 234 for 9 after their allotted 50 overs, a fine effort  by the Green considering the injuries and age they were carrying in the field.
The Green's opening pair of Keith Middleton and Jason Brewer both making their seasonal debuts struggled early on against a fine opening spell from Batterley and Jerimias both bowled a tight line with exaggerated swing. Brewer was first out  trying to break the bowlers stranglehold for 6 when the score was 20, James Curtis joined middleton and took the score along to 54 before Middleton was out for a patient 23, Steve Metcalfe now joined Curtis and together they upped the scoring rate and put they green on target for an unlikely victory, they had added 90 when Metcalfe played a rash shot and was bowled for a fine 51 , Curtis was joined by Phil Spencer and they continued to push the score along towards victory, with the score on 180 Curtis was run out for yet another fine half century 54.The Veterans Spencer and Rob Lewis continued to move the score along until Spencer was caught at mid wicket for 28, with the green needing 40 off the last 5 overs with 5 wickets in hand victory looked possible, J J Hall stroked a 6 into the road followed by a straight drive for 4 to put the green in with a chance, but with Batterly returning to bowl Lewis for 14 and then clean bowl Matt Brookes first ball , the greens captain decided to call a halt to the run chase allowing Hall 15no and Tom Banks to play out the last 2 overs leaving the green 17 runs short . A fine team effort by the green, although they gained a losing draw they obtained 10 points and Alverchurch 15.

Many thanks to match day sponsors  "MSM/DRH"