Barnards Green cricket Club Match Reports.

^16h May 2004 Ending in a winning dr Barnards Green Singles v aw for Barnards Green

Kidderminster 2^nd XI vs Barnards Green 2^nd XI The Green selection of veterans and youths were thoroughly beaten by a strong Kidderminster side. In very warm conditions, on an excellent batting track, Kidderminster took an immediate liking to a mix of long hops and full tosses. Siwicki made a rapid 24, was dropped off Chris Hill, and perished with another swipe at a straight ball from Matt Brookes. Sheriff was more sedate but then prospered with multiple boundaries on the leg side. Hill bowled a reasonably steady 9-over spell including the only maidens of the innings, but the other Green seamers took heavy punishment. Matters worsened when Andy Hoddy, on his debut for the Green, unwisely had Sherriff (63) caught by Wajzer at point. Stephens appeared and after a short assessment began to deposit balls over the straight and midwicket boundary fences. Dick Brown suffered dreadfully, but found the courage to keep pitching the ball somewhere near the batsman. He was rewarded by three wickets: Cyril Dean took an authoritative catch at mid-on to remove Amos, Stephens for once slightly mis-hit and was well caught for 99 by Wajzer at deep midwicket, and the aggressive Barnet was bowled for 84. The middle order simply carried on peppering the ropes, and the Green faced a target of 346. The fielders never gave up, with Tom Clack and Dave Knapper constantly employed to stop the straight drives. The early Green batsmen were loose or weary or both; Amos collected 4-20 with tidy outswing. Hoddy, left-handed, looked keen and played some pleasing drives, but was stumped for 15. Knapper (44) worked hard before losing patience and swiping over Cook’s offspin. The match was long since dead but at least Wajzer (23) and Brown (26 n.o.) occupied the crease and scored respectable runs. Hill (15 n.o.) joined Brown for the last few overs. Kidderminster 345-5 (45 overs; P Stephens 99, K Barnet 84; R W Brown 3-82) Barnards Green 173-7 (45 overs; D Knapper 44; K Amos 4-20) Kidderminster won by 172 runs

WC vision – Saturday 15 May 2004 Quote of the Day. (Metty and Engine putting on 70 in 5 overs, Sam umpiring, everyone else looking for balls) Metty: “ Sam my hamstring is feeling tight” Sam: “Don’t worry Metty I won’t ask you to bowl and Engine won’t ask you to run!”