BARNARDS Green 3rds entertained Belbroughton on an excellent Newland wicket last Saturday.

BARNARDS GREEN 3RD XI v BELBROUGHTON 3RD XI

Invited to bat first, the Green got off to a solid start through Alex Lamb (26) and Marc Jones (39) who put on 43 for the first wicket, before Lamb edged a ball to the keeper.

Tim Price (32) then hit the ball cleanly before being yorked and Jones fell soon after lbw to Paltney. This brought the experience of Rob Lewis (75no) and the flamboyance of youth in Lee Hooper together and they quickly added 90 runs before Hooper was bowled for 51. Lewis then took control and guided the Green total to a respectable 262 off their 45 overs.

In reply, Belbroughton were given a solid start and reached 50 without loss before the introduction of Jamie Longmore brought instant success when he bowled Lewis for 20 and then had Ramsey brilliantly stumped by Tim Price for 25. Longmore was well supported by Duncan Bell who bowled a good line and length and deservedly bowled Pierson for ten.

Penn was well caught by keeper Price to give Longmore his third wicket and he went on to pick up three further wickets to finish with six for 47 off 17 overs.

Despite some superb fielding by the Green team and an exemplary bowling performance by Jamie Longmore, the Belbroughton last pair could not be removed and the Green had to settle for a winning draw and 16 points in this match kindly sponsored by PA Hill Fasteners.