28th June 2008 - Match Reports.

BGCC 1st XI vs Worcester Barnards Green welcomed local rivals Worcester to North End Lane looking to get back to winning ways after stumbling at league leaders Stourbridge last week.  Chris Smedley won the toss for only the second time this season and didn’t hesitate to bowl first on a grassy wicket.  Matt Shimell struck early when former Green player Dan McKay was lured into a wild flash outside off stump and gave a simple chance to wicketkeeper Binks.  Shimell and Mitchell Fowles continued to bowl well and regularly beat the bat.  However Rich Franklin was typically aggressive and started a counter attack with several well struck boundaries.  Smedley made a double change turning to spin at both ends with himself and Andrew Ford coming into the attack.  Smedley immediately struck removing the dangerous Franklin clean bowled.  Adam Binks then added his 2^nd and 3^rd catches in quick succession; first taking Peppiatt off Ford then getting Weston first ball off Smedley.  A procession of wickets then followed aided by some smart close catching including a superb slip catch from Fowles.  Ford and Smedley showed superb control and limited scoring opportunities to a minimum with aerial shots the only answer.  Smedley finished with 4 for 18 off 15 overs and Ford 5 for 37 off 14.  Worcester was bowled out for 120 with 46 overs gone. In reply Rich Williams and Chris Smedley went early to leave the Green in trouble at 1 for 2 and Liam Paddock followed shortly after with the score on 19 for 3 to give Worcester a sniff of a possible upset.  However Kev Golder and Tim Clarke came together and combined a watchful approach with some blistering stroke play, particularly down the ground.  Golder passed a well deserved 50 and Tim Clarke fell at the end for 37 with just 10 more runs required.  Phil Harris hit an enormous 6 off Walker to secure victory and earn the Green 20 points.  The Green have now climbed to 3^rd place at the half way point and will be pleased with their recent form 83 points from 5 games, including 3 victories.  On Saturday they welcome Astwood Bank to North End Lane looking to extend their run to 4 wins in a row on home soil.

Worcester vs BGCC 2nd XI Barnards Green seconds travelled to local rivals Worcester on a fine but blustery Saturday, the green won the toss and asked the home side to make first use of a what looked like a fine batting wicket. Opening bowlers Matt Brookes and Sam Spencer produced an almost unplayable opening spell, with the ball moving in the air, left armer Brookes had all the batsmen in trouble with his controlled in swing, at the other end fit again Spencer bowled with pace bounce and away movement, both bowlers complimented each other and after 14 overs Worcester were deep in trouble at 14 for 4, the introduction of Ian Scullion did not help Worcester's cause he took three wickets leaving the home side in trouble at 32 for 8 , tail ender Potter struck four boundaries to top score with 16 but with the last two wickets falling in quick succession to Phil Spencer, the Worceter innings closed on 52 all out after 30 overs. A fine bowling display backed up by superb fielding and brilliant catching. Matt Brookes finished with 3 for 17 off 12 overs, Sam Spencer 2 for 6 off 7 overs, Ian Scullion 3 for 8 off 6 overs and Phil Spencer 2 for 3. With  the usual top order batsmen away at a wedding, skipper Spencer opened the innings with James Scullion , although the home sides bowlers gained movement with the new ball and caught the edge on a couple of occasions the reply never got bogged down, Spencer hit a brief 13, Steve Metcalfe struck 15no and James Scullion's form returned finishing 21no. The winning total was achieved in the 12th over with the loss of only one wicket. A fine display with 20 points gained .