BARNARDS Green Sunday seconds took the short trip over the Severn to visit old rivals Worcester at the old Norton Barracks ground, but came away pointless in a rain-affected game.

WORCESTER II v BARNARDS GREEN SUNDAY II

Batting first, Worcester made a solid start scoring 54 off the first 15 overs without losing a wicket, before the heavens opened and two hours were lost.

The game was then reduced to 34 overs which was to make for a somewhat late finish, but Worcester then looked to accelerate their run rate. Jamie Plant having bowled an excellent line and length was replaced by young Adam Price who produced a beauty to dismiss the experienced former Green player Chris Genever for 32.

Alan Levey then opened his shoulders for a well-hit 60 but he became one of four wickets for Green debutant Anshuman Shukla, who bowled superbly to finish with 4-26 off seven overs.

With the ball now like a bar of soap, the other Green bowlers struggled to put the ball on the spot and Worcester ended on around about the 180 mark although the scorebook would give or take five runs.

In reply, the Green never really got going early on with Marc Jones and Dave Knapper both struggling to put bat on ball and both perished to skipper Cook.

Robin Longmore and Simon Cooke started the scoreboard ticking, but both departed before getting settled and Tom Clack got a full-length ball on the toe to depart lbw.

This brought skipper Marek Wajzer and Anshuman to the wicket. In the space of 11 overs they added 70 runs with Anshuman being particularly strong on the leg side and Marek strong on the whack through mid on including a mighty six. When Anshuman perished for an excellent 55 and Marek for 33, the Green innings folded and fell 10 or 15 runs short depending on which total you took. A somewhat late finish, but a deserved victory for Worcester.