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Barnards Green C.
C. made to fight in their Opening League Match.
Following promotion into the Worcestershire County League, Division One
Cricket competition, Barnards Green 1st elevens opening match away at
Pershore C. C. was A wake up call for what could lie ahead this season.
The “Greens” Captain, Chris Smedley won the toss and put Pershore in to bat
on a firm dry pitch with a fast outfield. He and his senior players must
have regretted this as Pershores batsmen got off to a solid start of 158 for
2 wickets at the half way mark of their 50 overs. The only Barnards Green
bowler to put pressure on the batsmen was Tim Williams who finished his 14
overs with an excellent 5 wickets for 77 runs, their other bowlers proving
too expensive as Pershore closed their Innings on 290 run for 9 Opener M.
Stevens 98 and New Zealander R. Rivers-Smith 75 contributing the two
best innings while six other Pershore batsmen only scored 3 run between
them.
In reply to this impressive total the Greens top order batsmen never got to
grips with their task.and by the 25 over halfway mark had slumped to a score
of 80 for 5 and in deep trouble. The main reason for this being Pershores M.
Johnsons valiant opening bowling returns of 21 Overs, 7 mdns, 53 runs, 3
wickets,.. These obstacles did not however prevent fighting innings from
both Rob McCard ( Barnards Greens new overseas player from Australia ) and
Adam Binks (wicket keeper ) who between them steadied the ship for several
vital overs, not scoring freely as they normally do, but staying at the
crease and frustrating the Pershore attack. Eventually they were both out,
and with the score now at 118 for 8 and with 10 overs still remaining, a
defeat looked the most likely outcome, but Paul Drinkwater (17 not out)
together with Jez Clarke (14 not out) against all the odds, battled Barnards
Green through to the end of their allotted 50 overs for a nerve tingling
finish and a drawn game.
Final Scores / Points tally :-
Pershore c c 290 runs for 9 / 15 Points
B. Green c c 143 runs for 8 / 5 Points
Next Match. Saturday May 6th .
Chaddesley Corbett at North End Lane
Start time 1 – 30 pm
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With the weather
picking up and the Greens ground looking in top class order ,the first
league match of the new season was against Pershore recentlely relegated
from the Birmingham league . It was ten years since the green had played in
the top division of the WCL, it was uncertain of what standard was expected
of the mainly young but improving green side.
Captain phil spencer won the toss and asked the visitors to make first use
of a green but very flat wicket. Pershore openers cooper and stevenson
struggled against the swinging ball ,but battled to keep their wickets
intact, opening bowlers spencer and doughty were unlucky to be wicket less
after their opening spell, in phil harris's second over he had cooper well
caught at point by sam spencer even though he needed two attempts, roger
thompson making his debut for the club bowled a tight line , in a spell
which bodes well for the club,he had doust well caught by jason [jonty]
brewer at point.A tight spell by lewis hooper showed he had not been too
idle during the winter, although not taking to many wickets the green
always held the upper hand ,the opener stevenson was eventuately out for 60
.It was only in the last 8 overs that the green lost concentration and
allowed pershore to dominate, their final total of 219 for 7 was aided by 27
wides ,it seems the umpires are not as tollerent in division one a lesson
which needs to be learnt quickly,pick of the bowlers were spencer 3 for 52
and harris 2 for 47.
The greens reply was led by jason brewer and jon lewis they put 86 in 16
overs before lewis was out stumped for 36. Paddock was just settling in when
he top edged a return catch to bunn, james curtis looked in fine form
striking the ball cleanly untill he too top edged a return catch to cooper.
It was left to Doughty with an impessive looking 27 not out to support the
rejuvinated Jason Brewer who was left 91 not out, his innings contained 16
fours and 3 sixes, it nice to see him being rewarded for his hard work in
the nets in the close season.
The green ran out easy winners in this local derby ,winning by 7 wickets
with 17 overs to spare.The green obtained 20 points a good start to the
season.
A special mention to groundsman Roy Mayo whos hard work in the spring has
once again got the ground looking top class.
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