The RAPIDEGG Cricket Pages with–

Barnards Green Cricket Club, (unofficial).

MATCH REPORT

MATCH REPORT

30^th June 2002 On Sunday, Barnards Green 2^nd’s took the long trip up to Swindon on a cold and blustery English summers day. Batting first, the Green got off to an explosive start and after nine overs were 86 for 2 having lost both Marc Jones and Tim Price miss timing hooks looking for the short boundary. Father and son John (37) and Andy Wheeler (39) then thumped the ball to all parts of the ground, but when both went in quick succession miss timing short balls, Mat Brookes (28) and Marek Wajzer (13) steadied the innings before Wajzer hit a long hop to cover. Justin Mcmillan then joined Brookes and both played some glorious shots before Brookes fell to a loose flick off his legs. A quick flurry of wickets brought final pair of skipper Robin Longmore and young Emily Price together and they put on 20 to take the final score to 190 before Longmore went for one big hit too many. No sooner had the players left the pitch than the rain started which reduced the game to something of a farce with the Green gamely agreeing to play on, but soon finding it difficult to bowl with a bar of wet soap. Rob Tyler picked up two wickets and Roy Mayo bamboozled opener Cox to put Swindon on the back foot. After a half hour break for even heavier rain, the game resumed, but the contest was already over and Swindon made the most of the conditions despite Mat Brookes taking two further wickets. At 145 for 5 Swindon were deemed victorious on some form of Duckworth Lewis method and the Green departed to the bar to get as wet inside as they were outside. Next week the Green are at home to O.E’s and hoping for a start to the delayed summer. Courtesy of the Malvern Gazette.

7^th July 2002 On Sunday, Barnards Green 2^nd’s entertained O.E’s in the Sunday league. Electing to bat first, o.e’s found runs difficult to come by thanks to a tight opening spell from Jamie Longmore and leg spinner Justin McMillan, despite having to start with just 10 fielders. Stanton soon got frustrated and was yorked by Longmore for 5. Blakeway and Boyle then nurtured the innings before the introduction of late replacement Paul Knapper brought instant success with his delicate offspin and he removed Boyle and Norton in fairly quick succession. Just as Blakeway (40) appeared to be starting to dominate, Roy Mayo took an excellent slip catch once again off Knapper and an equally good catch by Marek Wajzer brought Knapper his fourth wicket to finish with 4 for 24. Robbie Tyler had Dorr caught at long off and when Kelvin Beeching threatened to take the bowling to task, the introduction of Wajzer and Marc Jones saw the tail fold and O.E’s were all out for 152 on a glorious batting track. The Greens reply was cautious but determined with Roy Mayo hitting a huge six over long on, but soon after mistimed a similar shot and was caught at mid off, Marc Jones repeated the shot and departed without troubling the scorer and Mat Brookes had a rush of blood and charged down the track only to miss the ball by a yard and get himself stumped. Enter the gladiators in the form of young Tim Price and the more mature John Wheeler. It was Price who was to prove to be the match winner with a superb 77no and after Wheeler had departed having steadied the ship, Justin McMillan (13) and Marek Wajzer (14) proved able allies. With 40 runs still required, Jamie Longmore (13no) joined Tim and these two took the Green comfortably home to victory by 4 wickets with 10 overs to spare. Butler, Dorr and Boyle all bowled well and picked up two wickets a piece. Many thanks to match sponsor Julian Hall Gardening Services. Next week the Green entertain Pershore. Courtesy of the Malvern Gazette.