THE local 2nd X1 derby saw the Green continue their good run, taking a maximum 24 points as the Ramblers' batting crumbled on the dusty wicket at Regency Road on Saturday.

MALVERN RAMBLERS II v BARNARDS GREEN II

As usual in these league matches, the team losing the toss was asked to bat first and the Green's openers, Lewis and Rogers immediately found the ball bouncing unpredictably on the dry surface. Lewis was the first to go as he tried to leave a ball from Cox which lifted sharply and hit his raised bat to be caught at the wicket.

Rogers and Sherliker fared no better, both falling to Southwood, but Drew and Williams looked in determined mood as they put on 30 runs together. When Drew played on to Southwood in the 18th over there was another flurry of wickets as Clarke, Fallowfield, Dick Brown and Scullion could not resist Francis' temptingly slow deliveries leaving the Green in the mire at 91- 8.

Tim Williams patiently stuck to his task and he found a solid partner in young Brad Adams who stayed with him for 11 overs scoring 61 vital runs together before Adams was lbw.

R A Brown did not last long as Williams was left unbeaten on 75 at the end of an outstanding innings during.

Having made such an excellent recovery the Green fielders were full of confidence as they took to the field and the bowlers soon made the all important breakthrough as Cox was caught by Adams when he mistimed a pull shot off Scullion and Fallowfield trapped Dovey lbw for 4. Keeper Rogers then clutched an excellent catch when Scullion got a ball to nip back sharply to Jauncey and Evans tried a rash single to R A Brown at mid-on leaving his partner stranded.

Evans hit a couple of cleanly struck boundaries but when he was caught and bowled by Fallowfield for 14 and Jamie Drew clung on to a fiercely stuck drive at silly mid off to dismiss Besgrove off the same bowler it was obvious to all that there could only be one winner.

With the innings in tatters at 36-6, Walwyn tried to battle it out for a draw but with 30 overs still remaining he found little support.

The spirit of the Green team was clearly demonstrated when Southwood hit a huge steepling shot on the leg side off Scullion and Fallowfield raced round from mid-on and judged the flight of the ball perfectly to catch as the ball as it came over his shoulder.

It was R A Brown who finally wrapped things up, clean bowling the last two batsmen as the Ramblers were dismissed for just 68, leaving the Green needing just 15 points from their last game on Saturday to win their division.

If the bowlers can maintain this form it is unlikely that Bromyard can resist Scullion (3-18 in 10 overs), Fallowfield (3-11 in 8 overs), Adams (1-12 in 5 overs) and R A Brown (2-17 in 7 overs).