Moseley 196 all out

Barnt Green 188 all out

Barnt Green lose by nine runs

GREEN suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of previously winless Moseley to damage their title hopes in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division on Saturday.

Green experienced a serious setback as their batting order suffered a late collapse while chasing a reachable target of 197 for victory.

Green had seemed in total control as they reached 144-2, but their run chase fell apart as Jay Webster and Michael Bell put the order to the sword.

Captain Richard Illingworth had elected to bowl first, but he was soon left to regret that decision as openers Pete Magafas (39) and Warwickshire's Ian Westwood (82) patiently built a partnership of 82.

Seamers Gareth Williams and Kris Howes were making little progressed.

Australian Magafas, who had struggled for runs, hit a rich vein of form where he smashed both seamers for four and grabbed two sixes.

The introduction of spinners Illingworth and Lyndon Jones though turned the game as they dismissed Moseley's opening duo.

The rest of Moseley's order failed to resist Barnt Green's kings of spin, with Illingworth (5-35) cleaning up the Birmingham side's batsmen at one end, while the economical Jones (0-16) kept the run rate low.

After lunch Green openers Richard Hall and Stuart Williams came to the crease with their side seemingly in the game's driving seat.

Hall (50) was in control for a patient half century, until Westwood caught and bowled him.

When Williams was dismissed Green founds themselves 64-2 and in trouble.

However, Jones (50) and Bedford (34) soon got Barnt Green back on course.

However, Shah caught Jones off Webster and Bedford was undone by Bell. Kieran Rees (9) never settled before Bell dismissed him.

This left the responsibility to Green's tail enders but the captain (1) made no impact before he was dismissed.

Moseley scented blood, but a late stand between Miles Illingworth (9), the skipper's son, and Kris Howes (13) ensured a tense final.

The duo steadied Green and steered them within ten runs of the target with three overs to go. However, once Howes was ran out and Webster removed Illingworth, Green's hopes of victory were finally dashed.