TITLE chasing Barnt Green CC recovered some lost ground on their rivals in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division by grabbing a winning draw over Coventry and North Warwickshire on Monday.

Green, who had suffered a surprise defeat to Moseley on Saturday, produced an improved display to take the lion's share of the points from the Premier Division clash.

However, a dogged Warwickshire batting performance frustrated the Cherry Hill Road side.

Captain Richard Illingworth was pleased with the improvement on Monday - compared to Saturday's defeat.

He said: "It was a much better performance by the whole team.

"Every player did much better and there was a lot more application by the whole side."

Barnt Green batted first and opener Richard Hall (99) provided the backbone of Green's order.

However, former captain Lyndon Jones was cheaply dismissed for one, before Paul Bedford (39) added some much-needed runs.

Roger Sillence was bowled out for 12 runs, but once again the captain (31 not out) chipped in with some useful runs, as the tail end were quickly dismissed around him.

Green finished on 225-8 in its 55 overs.

Gloucestershire all rounder Roger Sillence made an impressive return to action for Green, taking 4-35.

Swathe

The loan player cut a swathe through Coventry's order, dismissing Akhlaquw (29), Swatfield (2), Hopkins (39) and Jakeman (0).

Illingworth, who ended the match with 3-31, had Coventry's most impressive batsman, Smith (50), caught by Sillence.

However, despite fine bowling by Barnt Green, Illingworth and Sillence could not dismiss the tail enders and Coventry ensured a share of the spoils by ending on 169-9.

Illingworth said: "We were unlucky not to get the last few batsmen out.

"We bowled well, but they had a few shots which were a bit flukey.

"Still, after the Moseley game I was happy with the performance.

"We were very slack against them. We wasted a great chance to win the game and it wasn't good enough."

Barnt Green will be missing a trio of first team players for Saturday's game Leamington away at Spa (1pm start).

Captain Illingworth, former skipper Lyndon Jones and batsman Paul Bedford are all expected to miss the trip to Warwickshire.

Key batsman Matt Dallaway is expected to be fit for the first time this season, while Worcestershire are set to release bowler David Wigley to play for Barnt Green.

The return of Wigley to the team will come as a huge boost for Illingworth's team.

After a fine start to the season seamers Gareth Williams and Kris Howes have suffered a loss of form.

By Peter McKinney