BARNARDS Green Thirds visited second-placed OE's who fielded their strongest team of the season for this vital Worcestershire County League Third Teams Double game on Saturday.

Friday night saw Green skipper Robin Longmore frantically trying to recruit social members at the club to make up a team! Thankfully 11 men took to the field and having won the toss Longmore invited OE's to bat first.

Youngsters Jamie Longmore and leg spinner James Byrne then produced an excellent spell of bowling being well supported by the fielders and OE's were dismissed for 115 with Jamie taking six for 49 and James four for 59. Lee Dyment took a superb diving catch to dismiss Beeching and Richard Birch put in a good performance behind the stumps with a smart catch off Longmore and a tidy stumping off Byrne.

In reply the Green got off to a slow but solid start before Lee Dyment was bowled around his legs by Neel. This brought youngster Marc Jones to the crease to join the experienced Keith Middleton. Sensible batting saw these two take the Green home to a comfortable nine wicket victory. Middleton finished on 50 and Jones 45.

With 20 points for the victory this keeps the Green at the top of the league table with just one game remaining, due to be played tomorrow (Saturday) when Green entertain Worcester Thirds at North End Lane. The match starts at 1pm.