Coombs Wood vs BGCC 2nd XISecond placed Barnards Green travelled to third placed Coombswood
hoping for another victory to keep in touch with local rivals and
league leaders Malvern[ramblers].
After a picturesque journey through the black country The Green
arrived with nine players. This was due to two members Paddy and
Acid having county trials for football at Cheltenham. Rather than
take two players from the thirds skipper Spencer gambled on the
other nine players holding their own until the re-inforcements
arrived.
Having won the toss he took to the field with nine players, opening
bowlers Sam Spencer and Ian scullion exceeded his expectations.
Spencer clean bowled the expierenced Whyte and Lawson and Scullion
took two further wickets to leave the home side 47 for 4 after
twenty overs when the two missing fielders arrived. Scullion bowled
his longest spell of the season finishing with 4 for 23 off sixteen
overs. Spencer, Hooper and Harris all took two wickets bowling out
Coombswood in the 40th over for 122. This could have been a lot less
had skipper Phil Spencer held onto a catch off Baker before he had
scored. He went on to top score with 57. Another fine display in the
field by a side enjoying its cricket and having an excellent team
spirit.
The Green's reply was led by Jason Brewer and Derek Goodman. This
pair put on 71 for the first wicket in just sixteen overs. When
Goodman was caught for 27 Jon Lewis joined Brewer and together they
took the score along to 113 until Lewis dragged a ball onto his
stumps. This left Rob Middleton to hit the winning runs in the 23rd
over. Brewer was undefeated on 59 a fine innings containing eleven
fours and a six. Another 20 points for the green in a convincing
victory.
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BGCC 1st XI vs Coombs Wood Barnards
Green welcomed Coombs Wood to North End Lane last Saturday with the
league season closing to an end and the situation at the top remaining
tense. On winning the toss visiting captain Derham had no hesitation in
asking the Green to bat. On a warm day and playing on a very hard track
this decision looked a risky one. The Green made a solid start with Rich
Williams and Kev Golder taking the score steadily along at 4 runs per
over. Rich Williams however fell caught behind for 20. Daniel Flynn
looked in good nick, but played the support role to the in form Golder
as the Green charged on at 4.5 runs per over up to drinks. Flynn fell
soon after for 39, caught on the boundary off the hostile Banks’
bowling. Golder soon followed, unluckily run out at the bowlers end for
a splendid 74. Smedley played a cameo knock of 29 but it was left to the
returning Gary Lewis to ensure the Green reached the 275 they were
aiming for. Mark Hooper, Paul Drinkwater and Tim Clarke all provided
good support but it was Lewis who played a particularly brutal knock
with a number of sixes, even taking 18 off one over. The Green closed on
275 for 6, a good total but one with no guarantees as the wicket was
proving particularly flat.
In reply Coombs Wood started solidly but Tim Williams and Dunc Bell
pegged the scoring rate back to increase the pressure. Williams then
struck twice in quick succession, bowling Burgoyne and then thanks to a
smart catch from stand in keeper Kev Golder. The Green were never able
to take wickets regularly but Flynn and Drinkwater with some thoughtful
and sharp turning spin were able to make inroads into the Coombs line
up. However after Kiwi Craig departed to a superb Drinkwater off break
Coombs decided to shut up shop. The once again tedious Shoudry showed no
aggressive intent and it proved beyond the Greens bowlers on a flat
track to remove him, despite some strong leg before shouts.
Coombs closed on 168 for 6 and the Green took 14 points. A good all
round performance from the Green means they are still 29 clear of
Netherton in 3rd place and still on the tail of Bromyard, whom they play
tomorrow (Saturday). Thanks to match sponsors A.K. Lewis Builders. |
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Barnards Green ‘Singles’ v Knighton on Teme
Apologies for the late report but your correspondent has
been away and my deputy failed to file a copy! Plus
Judd’s dad thinks
Judd dreamt this innings!
The ’Singles’ played host to Knighton and secured 20 more points in
their quest for divisional honours. The match will long be remembered
for a magnificent maiden Judd
Doughty century as the Green cruised to
their victory target with 8 wickets and 16 overs to spare.
Kev Ratcliffe who is now winning the toss with uncanny regularity asked
Knighton to make first use of the wicket. The Green got off to great
start with Churchill (2 – 30) uprooting the off pole and then had Toms
well caught by Beavan. From 4 for 2 Knighton elected for crease
occupation and slow progress was being made, but wickets remained. Gash
and Dallow added 140 runs in the next 35 overs as Ratcliffe rotated his
bowlers but failed to get a breakthrough. The returning
Doughty ended Gash’s innings for 41 and
then Sanders had Dallow caught for 78. A late flurry saw Knighton post
180 as the Green’s bowlers had done a fine containing job.
With the ‘deputy’ Tea Ladies shopping at Matalan it was left to the
players to set it all out and pour the drinks. On their return it was
“Please don’t tell mum!” Blackmail is wonderful thing.
The Green response put the wicket in true perspective.
Doughty opened with a flourish with three
fours, not be outdone Ratcliffe achieved the same and the Green were
motoring. Doughty manipulated the strike to
great effect as he plundered runs all over the park. The pair had put on
73 until Ratcliffe skied a chance to mid wicket and departed for 14. It
made little difference to Doughty who was
now depositing balls in the adjoining fields as the scoreboard rocketed
ever upwards. Knighton tried a variety of bowlers but all were put to
the sword by Doughty. Rich Brown was now
cracking the odd four (if he could get the strike) and as the winning
post came into view Brown played three shots to a looping ball and was
bowled for 26. Freeman entered the fray and leant on his bat as
Doughty continued his innings. A sprinted
single brought a whoop of delight from Judd
as he reached the magical three figures, he then proceeded to smash the
remaining fifteen runs to leave his victorious. His 115 not out
contained 18 fours and three sixes. Meanwhile Freeman completed his best
knock for while with 2 not out. | |